Over the past decade, the office space has seen one of the most radical changes in its history. The days of highly populated bustling office rooms are now a thing of the past. Instead, we are now in a world of hybrid working and smaller, less extravagant office spaces. Naturally, this hybrid working system has meant that many people now need a home office to ensure they have a space to complete their work. This fairly new concept has now swept through the professional world, and many people are building their own offices in their homes. So, what’s the secret of a functioning home office? Check out this blog to find out.
Design is, of course, personal. It doesn’t really matter what other people think of your office, as long as it works for you, then that's great. So, what does work for you? To answer this question, you’ll have to tap into how you work as a person. What cycles of productivity do you have and how do you like to work? Answering questions like this will allow you and your designers to fine-tune your new space to how you work, so your new home office fosters the perfect working environment for you. This is why personalised design is so brilliant as soon enough you’ll likely have the most productive space possible for you.
Naturally, there are many different forms of home office design and not every iteration will suit your needs. However, there are a few basic rules which you should ensure are covered. So, what are these and how can you implement them?
Ergonomics
One of the most important aspects of any space in which you will be spending significant time in is its comfort. When it comes to working and productivity, many would argue that comfort is one of the most important areas and we certainly wouldn’t disagree with them. So, how do you make your office space comfortable? Essentially, this all comes down to a few very simple principles.
First things first, you’ll need a good chair. After all, you’ll probably be spending a good deal of your time sitting down on your laptop or over a notebook. We’re sure you’ll find it difficult to believe, but thousands of people in the country have the wrong chair for a home office. You need to find one that has sufficient back support and also feels comfortable. This can be a touch challenging and we would advise you to go into a store to try the chairs out before you purchase one.
Of course, there are a few other things to consider when it comes to ergonomics, but arguably the second most important after your chair is the desk. There are a myriad of desks to choose from and you’ll need to take your time over the different choices carefully. Though choose one that has enough space for all of your items and feels comfortable to work at.
File organisation
Over a few weeks of working at your home office, the likelihood is that you’ll build up a good deal of files. The last thing anyone wants is these files building up as untidy spaces is one of the largest contributors to a person's productivity. So, you need a few standard places to store your files so you can keep a well-organised office. With a well-organised workspace, you’ll have more room for many more important items which will help with your day-to-day tasks. So, we would advise that you acquire a series of file storage items.
Fitted storage solutions
Storage is vital in a home office. After all, you probably have a huge amount of files and other important documents which you will need to keep secure and safe. Fitted storage is often the best solution for this as you will gain the most amount of storage while taking up very little space in the room. You won’t have to have fitted storage on every wall of your office. Usually, one or two walls are more than sufficient and you’ll be able to keep your space tidy very easily.
You should take a fair amount of time to consider what style your fitted storage will be as this item will dictate how the room feels. Of course, there are many different styles to choose from and the choices can at times be a touch overwhelming. Though the main thing is to match the style of the fitted storage unit with the rest of the room. So, if your office is a clean and modern space, then make sure you pick a sleek minimalist design for fitted storage.
Bookshelves
Creating your own home office is all about designing an environment that feels comfortable and enjoyable to spend time in. Of course, this means different things to different people, but a bookshelf is usually a popular option. After all, many people love to read in their spare time and having their favourite books available to read on their breaks will, of course, be very appealing. Though you can also use this bookshelf to store some of your workbooks, which can be an incredible space saver.
Plants
In recent years, house plants have become increasingly popular. This is in part thanks to the extensive research which has been completed over the past decade. Many prominent researchers expressed that plants within the office or home drastically increase productivity and may even work towards improving the quality of your work. So, make sure that you add a few plants here and there to add a bit of colour and nature to your home office. Naturally, you won’t want to add too many plants, but certainly, a few here and there will improve your space.
Personal effects
We’re sure that you would agree that offices without any personalisation are often fairly unproductive places to be. The clinical nature of these rooms often makes people feel slightly constricted and certainly not particularly creative. So, you should ensure that there are a few personal items dotted around your office to make you feel at home and comfortable. A few interesting ideas would be adding photography or art to your walls, which may also bring a pop of colour to the room. What’s more, you may also want to add some sentimental items to your desk.
Natural light
Natural light is one of the most important aspects of improving or maintaining your productivity. Artificial light does not light the same spectrum of colours which natural light does, so this can mean that you strain your eyes more than perhaps you should. Aside from the obvious and sometimes serious health effects which this can have, it may also reduce your productivity, as you will find it harder to focus on your work. So, make sure that your office has plenty of windows which allow natural light to flood the room.
Colour
During the 2010s, office design took a rather clinical approach and most colours in the office were stripped back completely. This design ethos did, of course, have its benefits and many people argued that the lack of colour reduced the distractions in the room, allowing staff to concentrate on their work. However, in recent years, this approach has become a touch unpopular and many people believe that a touch of colour in the room can actually improve your productivity, as you will feel more energised and inspired.
Amenities
We’ve all been there halfway through the day, experiencing a slight drop in our motivation and productivity. Sometimes all you need is a quick cup of coffee or tea to get you back on track. Of course, if you have to leave your office for this, it may well set you back a fair amount of time, so get yourself a kettle and mini fridge for your new office space!
If you need any more advice on your new home office build, then make sure you contact us today. We have many years of experience in the industry and can certainly help. So, feel free to chat with our friendly staff today.
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