Creating a home office is, for some, a dream job. Now that you’re finally in a position to work from home you’ll want a space that reflects your work ethic, maximizes productivity, and encourages creativity. While you may already have a few ideas up your sleeve, it is worth pointing out that clutter is seldom a home office’s friend. A busy office can stem your creative juices, create a distraction, and provide an uncomfortable setting in which to work, so consider all of the ways that you’ll be able to save space.
Home Office Essentials
While every emphasis should be placed on minimalism when you begin designing your new home office, there are, of course, a few essentials that you’ll need to incorporate into your room’s design. A computer, for example, will be vital for operations, as will a printer and copier, a desk, a chair, storage facilities, and lighting.
Once the must-haves are sorted, you may want to think about ways in which modern technology can be incorporated into your design. These days, office tech is created to make our lives easier and more productive. Wireless business internet access, provided by a company such as Primus Business, is a real must, allowing you to synchronize your computer, printer, telephone system, and cell phone with ease and reliability. While technology is vital, cables can make any office environment appear cluttered and boxed in – imagine the freedom of connecting everything wirelessly. A home network is another great way to ensure that your devices are on the same page, as well as enable you to save work remotely. At the same time, Bluetooth increases the communication capabilities of appliances.
Decorating Your Home Office
With the essentials out of the way, it’s time to think about decorating and accessorizing your office. Storage is often the home office’s downfall; however much we try to live paperless lives, there are bound to be some vital files, folders, and items of paperwork that we need to hold onto. The key here is to keep filing systems to a minimum and consider what you desperately need to keep and what can be discarded. Business can be ruthless, and your home office should be no different. Once you have minimized your stationery, computer equipment, and paperwork, look at the various ways in which you can store items without dominating your office. Floating shelves, units that incorporate cabinet space and shelving, and under-desk storage are all fabulous ways of keeping your home office neat and tidy and can encourage productivity by reducing distractions.
When it comes to creating a home office, it can be tempting to design a space that is a continuation of your living space; comfortable, colorful, and filled with your favorite things. While this may seem like a good idea at the time, cluttered, busy, and disorganized office space is likely to disrupt productivity and get in the way of that really good idea you’re destined to have. Try designing a space that is light, bright, and clean and which features as few appliances and items as you can get away with.
