Since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have chosen the option to keep working from home. Having a designated home office space can help you avoid distractions and set you up for success. If you are not sure how to create a home office there are some important steps you should keep in mind as not all home offices are created equal. Designing a functional home office starts with location and your specific needs. Read below to find out more.
Choosing The Location
When it comes to the placement of your home office, you may have to work with what space you do have available. But if you have some flexibility or are building a new home, you need to be strategic about the location.
Lighting is an important factor to consider when you create a home office. You will want to have lots of natural light to help improve your productivity and vitality. Placing your desk near a window that offers a good view, can help to increase your mood during your work day and decrease boredom.
If your family will also be home while you are in your office, place it away from large family gathering areas or high-traffic spaces. While noise is inevitable, you can organize your office to limit distractions or opt for noise-canceling headphones.
Paint Colors Make A Difference
The colors that surround us can have a major impact on emotions and functionality. When you create a home office, make sure to choose paint colors and decor that work with your desired moods.
Colors like red and orange increase your energy, blue helps to soothe and relax, and green helps to alleviate stress because of its connection with nature. Choosing these colors for backgrounds, wall colors, or shelving colors will help to make your office a functional and productive space.
Include Built-Ins
With a home office comes the need for storage. Built-ins with Out Of The Woods Cabinetry are a great way to add some décor to your office while giving you a place to stack books and files. With our custom designs, we can create any size or style of built-ins, or create a mixture of shelves and cabinets to fit all your unique work needs.
Other storage options that are beneficial when you create a home office include:
- Cabinets with a file drawer
- Wall bookcases
- Utility cabinets
- Built-in cabinets or shelving
- Standing cabinets or drawers
- Rolling cart
Invest In A Comfortable Chair
If you are going to be sitting for meetings and responding to emails at your desk for 8+ hours a day, investing in a comfortable office chair can make or break your office. Comfortable chairs can provide back support, add padded support while you sit, and limit other stress on your body.
While a chair is always a good option to have, there are people who prefer to stand or have the option to stand while they work. When you create a home office, look into getting an adjustable standing desk and an office chair so that your body has options when one position is not comfortable. Ergonomic chairs with a sturdy base are best for home offices.
Keep Extra Storage In Mind
Shelving may not be enough storage for your work, which will require you to think about external storage or other unique solutions to keep you organized. Tabletop desk organizers can be a sleek solution for keeping files, pens, sticky notes, paper clips, thumbtacks, or other necessities all in one place. These organizers can make taking notes or working more convenient and will save you time digging through drawers for a pen during a meeting.
Don’t Neglect Your Video Background
More and more people are utilizing Zoom, Google Meets, or Microsoft to meet with clients and employees. If you are working remotely and creating a home office, remember to have a non-distracting video background. Lighting is also important for this aspect of your office as well. You will want your face to be seen and lit correctly. Make sure that the window of your office is not directly behind you, there are not too many décor items in the background of your computer screen, and make sure the screen is level with your face.
Create a Home Office with Out of the Woods
Out Of The Woods Cabinetry can help you create a home office with style and functionality. We work hard to make every customer happy and take quality seriously. We have been in the industry for over 20 years and have added to the skills and materials we offer clients. Our love for woodworking has never diminished and we show our passion in each individual project. Contact our team today to add beautiful storage options to your home office, kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and more.
