Designing the Ideal Home Office
For many of us who are or have worked from home to help slow the spread of COVID-19, it’s been a new experience. And as we continue striving to find a new normal in our daily lives, many find themselves continuing to work from home indefinitely.
For those who don’t have a dedicated home office, the dining table or a corner of the bedroom have become makeshift workspaces with the family pet or child as your new officemate. However, an improvised space wreaks havoc on concentration and productivity, as well as personal comfort.
According to Tailored Living of Knoxville, there are some key considerations and solutions for a new home office:
Identify a Space
Not everyone is fortunate to have a separate room for a home office, but try to find an area you can dedicate to work. If the space in your home is limited, get creative. Even a walk-in closet can serve as a functional office space by removing the clothes rod, installing electrical connections, and having a desk custom-designed for the space.
Don’t Sacrifice Form for Function
Your desk, shelves, and storage should serve you, not the other way around. Consider your workflow and what items you need at your fingertips before investing in a home office from Tailored Living. The style and finish you choose doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should complement other rooms in your house instead of screaming “soulless cubicle.”
Organize Vertically and Horizontally
Most home office spaces aren’t huge, so use space efficiently. Vertical shelving, base cabinets, or overhead cabinets will get papers and office equipment off valuable desk space. Are you a stacker or a filer? If you tend to make piles, get a nice basket to tame your mail, notes, and papers. If you prefer a clean desktop, add file drawers for important papers.
Let There Be Light
Make sure your office has plenty of light to cut down on eye strain and headaches. Put a lamp on the desk for task lighting or incorporate lighting into overhead cabinets. If possible, choose a home office space with a nearby window. Studies have shown that daylight helps improves productivity and alertness. Exposure to daylight also impacts your physical and mental well-being.
Whether you have an existing home office or are creating a new one, a Tailored Living designer can help you create a workspace that’s tailored to your needs. As many of us work from home, remember we’re in this together, and together we will emerge stronger and more productive than ever before.
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