AD | Contains affiliate links 2020 has forced many of us to change our work routines. The usual 6am alarm, followed by a 30 minute drive to ...
2020 has forced many of us to change our work routines. The usual 6am alarm, followed by a 30 minute drive to our office has altered slightly. Instead, a quick walk down the stairs for a caffeine fix and then to a part of the home with the best wi-fi connection and minimal distractions (both proving easier said than done). As this change in routine has lasted longer than many of us expected, it is not surprising if you have decided to transform available space into a home office. This article is going to help you nail the design to get the most out of every working day.
Location, location, location
This period is sure to have tested relationships with the ones you live with, as well as bringing you closer together. With the absence of a separate work-home environment, you may have found it difficult to switch off from work as well as struggling to escape the growing list of house jobs. If possible, try to pick a space away from the daily distractions. However, if you don’t have the luxury of picking a room, you can still use the space you have to aid productivity.
Face your desk towards a window. Not only will this minimise any unwanted glare but it also gives your eyes a little break away from the screen. Don’t forget to take those much needed breaks - they really are important.
A splash of colour
However tempting it may be to put up with the off-white walls that have been that way since moving in, the colour choice could be more influential than you ever thought. Spending a little thought on this choice can go a long way. Unless there is a strong reason to, try to avoid dark, deep colours such as red and black as these will send you on the right path to an afternoon nap. Instead, a pastel green or blue is always an ideal choice. These lighter colours are proven to reduce anxiety as well as aiding concentration to improve productivity. Light shades are also great at enhancing that much needed natural light. The power of colour hey!
Comfort is key
You will likely be sitting at the same spot for around 40 hours a week, so you want to invest a little in the perfect desk and chair. If you are a 2-screen user, requiring a monitor and keyboard too, you will need a fairly big desk. However, if all you ever need is a laptop, you can get away with much less. The most important decision - the desk chair. As tempting as it is to go for the slouchy sofa style seat, this will be a poor choice for your posture and is likely to make you feel a little bit too relaxed. Instead, shop around and don’t be afraid to try out a few. An adjustable feature on a desk chair is always a good thing to look out for - thank me later.
The best bit
Probably everyone’s favourite part of re-designing any room in the house - the accessories! When working in the office, you would usually be stuck with the view of the back of someone’s head or a motivational quote that doesn’t really seem to motivate you much. But now, the creative power is in your hands. Your office doesn’t have to feel like a formal room if you don’t want it to. Match it with your own style and creativity so it fits in well with the rest of your house. Use spare wall space to hang your favourite pieces of artwork or maybe photographs of your loved ones. If you are in need of a little inspo, floater frames from That’s Clever will add a contemporary flair.
Making your home your own
There really is no place like home. You’ll most likely never spend this amount of time at home again, so invest a little more into this project. If you are happy with the finished product, you’re much more likely to enjoy working there and this will do wonders for your productivity.
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