Working from home is one of the many ways the current pandemic has affected the world. But the now prevalent remote work culture offers many advantages and presents many challenges.
Workplace distractions have always been present, but professionals used to the relative calm of corporate spaces often find it challenging to focus amid the noise and general busyness at home.
One solution to this is creating your own home office. A dedicated place where you can sit down and have everything you need can help ensure that you work efficiently and resist the temptation to pet your cute puppy or lay in your comfy bed all day long.
The goal is to replicate your original office's vibe as much as possible so that you can be as productive as you were pre-pandemic. Since houses are not office buildings, this can be difficult to pull off, especially for those who reside in small apartments, condominiums, or live with family members.
Not everyone has spare rooms that they can quickly convert to a spacious home office. If you're one of those who have this problem, you'll be happy to consider these work from home tips that will help you design the perfect home office.
1. Location, location, location
The most important thing to consider in your home office layout, and the first in this list, is where you want it to be.
Many often choose the guest room or the study. But since you're reading this article, there's a good chance you have neither. Don't be discouraged. There are likely many available spaces at home if you look with a critical eye.
Find an area that can be distinct from the rest of the house. Are there any lofts or nooks where you can fit in a desk, your computer, and a chair? Is there extra space underneath the stairs? Even the space beside your bed can be a good choice. Some have converted their closets to hold their essentials or even the entire home office. Kitchen or living room areas are also popular choices.
You can use a bookcase, curtains, or screens to section off your designated corner to ensure enough privacy. With a clever layout, you can make a comfortable working place anywhere.
2. Choose multi-functional furniture
Since you're low on space, it would be best to choose furniture that can fulfill multiple functions simultaneously. For example, some who settle on a bedroom slash home office use their vanity table. Makeup and accessories that generally occupy this table go into baskets when work is in session.
There are also expandable desks that add more surface area instantly, and some can be tucked away into a drawer when not in use. You can customize a cupboard to hide your desk at the end of a workday.
Always keep in mind exactly how much space is available when picking your home office fixtures.
3. Be resourceful with storage
Finding enough storage can be incredibly challenging. Avoid having your office equipment and other knick-knacks take up precious desk areas. Try using wall-mounted storage instead. You could assemble shelves in front or beside your desk. Utilize stackable boxes and baskets for vertical storage.
Meanwhile, you should keep frequently used essentials and important documents near the desk for easy access. A proper filing system reduces clutter and can make a small space seem bigger.
4. Decorate
Just because you want to replicate an actual physical office doesn't mean you have to copy the look. One of the perks of having your very own home office is that you may design it however you want.
A splash of color can instantly lift your mood and help you get down to business. You can be as creative as you want to be. Maybe you can paint just one wall with your favorite color. Place some plants in hanging pots to liven the area. Fill the room with pictures of people who inspire you.
You don't have to hold back, but make sure that all the pretty decor does not distract you from the tasks at hand.
Everyone deserves to have a comfortable workspace to spend hours in. By following these tips, you can make a home office that fits perfectly no matter how limited your space is. We have one last reminder, though—personalize. As helpful as these tips are, they can only be beneficial if they suit your needs. Feel free to adjust these suggestions.
Remember, the goal is for your productivity level to stay the same as before or even higher. Who knows, because of all the benefits that your perfectly designed home office affords you, you might prefer to continue working at home after the pandemic ends.
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Author: Noel Brago is a Project Development Associate at Studio N — the latest living space inside Filinvest City's Northgate Cyberzone. Noel’s interest in houses and architecture led him to a career in real estate. Outside work, you can find him writing articles on business, real estate, and finance.
