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How Do I Create a Home Office?

Whether your home office is a designated space for running a business or an  “on again, off again” remote workspace, you deserve more than a spot at the kitchen table. Why? An office that reflects the design and comfort of the rest of your home and YOU is a place where you'll want to do your best work.

With the current COVID-19 situation, working from home is becoming more common for employees and the self employed. When designed properly, home offices allow many people to work efficiently and, above all, more comfortably.

We thought it was important to list, "10 Tips For Designing Your Home Office" for anyone struggling with how to make the "at home " transition.

1. Location, Location, Location

You'll likely spend many hours in your home office, so  let's make the location count. Location is key, there are a few factors that you should consider before making the perfect home office

• • • Distractions: One of the major downsides of working from home is all the distractions. Consider traffic flow and your ability to withstand "noise". While there are distractions at the workplace, the ones at home are usually not business related.
    • Accessibility: Does your type of work require you to meet with clients in person? If so, make sure your clients have a direct and accessible route to your new home office. Don’t forget to allow room for additional seating that can be kept at an appropriate & safe distance.

• • • Natural Lighting: We understand that available free home space is “slim pickings”. If the ideal location includes a window, you’ve hit the jackpot! Sunlight can produce warm lighting that improves the work environment and your overall mood.
      

2. Don't Sacrifice Form for Function 

Consider your workflow and what items you need at your fingertips before investing in furniture, and then look for pieces that are both beautiful and functional. When designing a home office, the furniture should complement other rooms in your house. If your home has traditional décor, a warm wood desk or shelving paired with soft chairs or a loveseat are ideal if you have the space. A contemporary home office can feature artistic pieces or modern metal furniture.

Houzz.com

3. Invest in a Great Chair

You spend hours parked in your office chair; a beautiful, ergonomically correct, comfortable seat is worth every dime. A comfortable chair is one of the most important components of any  office, so take time and care to select and invest in a good one. Again, ergonomics and comfort count, so make sure you test the chair before making a purchase.

4. Proper Technology 

Your time is precious whether you work remotely or in a corporate office.  The proper technology helps to keep your “at home” days,  productive and not problematic. To keep your new home office running smoothly, the proper technology is key! Here are a few at home office staples.

• • • High speed internet access: A broadband connection is essential if you're going to work efficiently online.

    • An Uninterruptible Power Supply: (UPS) provides backup power for a limited time in case your electricity goes out. It can give you some useful buffer time to save your work and safely shut down your equipment.

    • A Printer or Multipurpose Machine: Depending on the nature of your business and even if you have a paperless office, you might be able to get away without having a printer. But there will probably be many occasions when you'll wish you had one to scan, fax, or make copies. 

    • Backup Drive or Personal Server:  You'll need a plan for backing up and protecting your data once your home office is up and running. You can use cloud-based backup services to copy your files automatically, but it's also a good idea to have an in-house backup in place. 

    • A Network Router: A network router can be necessary if you have more than one computer that requires internet access. Consider a wireless router if you have a laptop and computers located in different parts of your home

    • Surge Protector: A good surge protector is an often-overlooked item, but it should be a staple in any home office that uses computer equipment.

5. Paint the Wall a Color You Love

Working from home allows you to design the office of your dreams. You 

need a color that gets your creative juices flowing. For some people, that's a bright, cheery color like Banana Yellow or Touch of Pink. Others need a calming shade like Woodlawn Blue or Palest Pistachio for concentration. 

Recently, Benjamin Moore launched a pallet of suggested Home Office Paint Colors. They even have a clear Notable® Dry Erase Paint  you can apply over your existing office wall color. Watch your brainstorming come to life over your chosen inspiring hue!

7. Inspire Yourself 

Don’t let working from home get you down. The addition of pictures of loved ones, pets, or a piece of framed art can give you a positive boost throughout the day. A simple glance can make a hard day all the better and give you that special reminder of why you’re working so hard.  Another suggestion is to replace an “office grade” pen holder with a cherished mug from college or vacations- let the reminder of fun times wipe the stress away.

7. Organize Vertically & Horizontally

Many home offices aren't swimming in square footage, so using space efficiently is imperative. The addition of floating shelves on the walls gets papers and office equipment off the desk.  Use vertical file folders on the desk to keep important papers within arm's reach. If you prefer a clean desktop, designate one drawer for your "to-do" papers.

8. Use Smart Storage Solutions

Many home offices don’t have much space to work with, and that’s why smart storage solutions are a must. The right storage solution will help you keep everything you need in that workplace nearby, without making your home office look like a total mess. Not only will you not be able to easily find what you’re looking for in a messy workplace; it’ll also affect your mood and overall productivity.

9. Keep Your Office in a "Ready" State

We loved this tip found on ECWID.com

Keeping your office in a “ready” state essentially means that you have all the necessary equipment to get to work when you walk into the office each morning. These are great tips for any home or off site office.

Some ways to keep this “ready” state are:

• • • Create a to-do list:  Creating a list the night before with  important tasks for the following day, lets you know exactly what to do the moment you walk into the office. 
    • Keep a clean work environment: Don’t waste time de-cluttering before getting down to work. Use drawers, baskets, or shelf organizers to keep your workspace clean.
    • Keep everything within arms’ reach: This way, you minimize distractions and keep yourself focused on work.
      
      

Understand that you’re at your most productive when you first start work. If you waste this time on mundane tasks — cleaning the office area, figuring out your to-do list — you’ll waste this prime productivity.

10. Know When it's Time to Invest

Working from home is becoming the norm for many people, plenty of brick and mortar locations have been eliminated.  If your home office is going to be your place of business indefinitely, then it may be time to invest in more than furniture and paint.  We have listed the top home office construction requests over the last year.

• • •  Create a Separate Entrance: Creating  a separate entrance allows for easy client access that will not disturb your home or allow accessibility to rooms that are off limits.
    • Making a Handicap Accessible Office: Widening of doorways, or walkways  are easy fixes, but you may also need to renovate a bathroom to comply with local codes.
    • Home Addition or Separate dwelling:  The existing space in your home may not be large enough to accommodate the workload you are producing.  This option comes with a price tag but the additional space will add to your homes value for a future sale or increase your tax deduction. 
      LICC Inc. Services: Home additions 

If you are interested in a home addition, download our How to Guide: Building a home addition “  for free.