Technology has been helping more people work remotely from home for years. The US Census Department recorded 7% of adults worked from home in 2019. This figure showed a 5.2% increase compared to data from two years earlier. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more people than ever are turning to remote work. But for the best results, you need a comfortable office space that you'll love using. But what can I do to set up a home office I’ll love?
Finding the Perfect Work Space
Organizing a home office is much easier if you have a small room you hardly ever use. You can install a larger desk and plenty of storage units. You might even keep your home office all to yourself. However, many family homes just don't have the available space. Many remote workers must be inventive and versatile to incorporate a small home office in communal rooms. Some closets offer remarkably large areas where you can at least fit a desk and tiered shelving or equipment such as a multifunctional printer. A small, comfortable space can often be found beneath stairs or in a corner of your living room.
Maintaining Privacy
In a shared environment, it's difficult to maintain a degree of privacy. A simple solution is to invest in a portable, folding screen. You can even make one to custom fit around your desk. Construct an open frame with at least three folding sections for stability, then cover it with fabric or even paper. An alternative is to fix a rail to the ceiling and hang drapes from it. Sometimes you can find a suitable room divider with shelves and compartments that can store some of your folders and files.
Adaptable Office Furniture
Now you've set up your workspace, you'll need some office furniture. If you're building your office on a budget, there are ways you can improvise. A kitchen table works fine as a desk. Open shelves on the wall above your desk can be customized to make the best use of the space. When you design your own home office, you can place furniture where you can reach everything easily. You can use any type of cupboard for equipment such as headphones, printing inks and stationery. If you have sensitive files, fit a small lock to a drawer to keep them safe.
Ergonomically Designed Chair
One item of office furniture you should choose wisely is a chair. Research shows that home working increases your monthly output by 1.4 days. It means you could be spending even more than eight hours every day sitting at your desk. Unfortunately, being sedentary with poor posture can contribute to the musculoskeletal problems suffered by half the adult population.
You can try to avoid future discomfort by taking time for regular breaks. But the most effective solution is to invest in an ergonomically designed chair. You can save money by purchasing an unwanted one from a city office refurbishment. Features to look for include lumbar support, adjustable height, and a backrest and side arms that can be adjusted to suit you.
Avoiding Eyestrain
Eyestrain known as Computer Vision Syndrome includes blurred vision, headaches and uncomfortable, dry eyes. Around 58% of adults in the US suffer from these symptoms when working at their computer screens throughout the day. The 20-20-20 rule helps keep your eyes feeling comfortable. It suggests you should stop work every twenty minutes and focus for twenty seconds on an object twenty feet away. When designing your home office, fix a favorite picture or plant at exactly that distance from your desk to help you remember.
Sympathetic Lighting
Natural light is always beneficial during the day. If possible, choose a part of the room where you have window space. If it faces south, you could have problems throughout the day from the sun getting in your eyes. A daylight window blind can make your space more enjoyable by cutting out the glare of the sun while allowing through adequate natural daylight. On cloudy days or at night, sympathetic lighting could include eco-friendly LED bulbs. Choose LED lighting with a temperature rating between 2,700K and 4,500K. White lighting containing a quantity of blue is supposed to improve your concentration.
Relaxing Decor
Now you've assembled all the components of your new home office, you need to make it a space you can truly love. A relaxing atmosphere is essential. You can even employ Feng Shui philosophy to make sure your shelves and desk are in tune with the other items of furniture in the room. Declutter if necessary to make the area around your home office feel more spacious and calming. If you're improvising with furniture, a quick coat of paint can give your office a stylish, coordinated look. Pastel colors such as gray, pale blue, beige, cream or light green work best. Consider reupholstering your office chair in toning fabric.
Conclusion
Your brand-new home office doesn't have to cost a fortune. Improvisation is fine but making your office comfortable is how you'll grow to love it. If a separate room is unavailable, choose a secluded spot within a larger communal area. Coordinated decor should make it welcoming and stylish. Find an ergonomic chair and pay attention to lighting to keep your eyes comfortable.
Author Bio:
Paula O’Gorman is Promotive’s Design & Marketing Manager and is responsible for planning, leading and coordinating the activity of the marketing agency that specializes in logo design and graphic design. She graduated with a distinction in Design & Communication from Waterford Institute of Technology in 2003 and joined the Cantec Group immediately afterwards. Starting as a junior graphic designer, she now manages her team at the senior management level.
