Ideas for your home office

The uncertain times we find ourselves in, have led a large number of people to move their offices to their homes.  For most people this entails dealing with a completely new situation. A unique new set of challenges are presented when having to perform your professional duties  with the added complications which are usually found in the home environment, such as for example the noise of children playing, as well as the distractions that abound in a home, such as domestic chores, the presence of appliances such as televisions, etc. However this does not have to be a problem, in fact, it can be the exact opposite.  It can be a chance to learn to work in another environment, which we can make the most of and implement a home-work routine which allows us to concentrate to the maximum and be as productive as possible.

That is why I would like to share a number of practical tips to take into account when decorating your home workspace.

FIND YOUR WORKSPACE

The first step is to find a space which is appropriate to perform your work in an optimum and comfortable manner.

Ideally, you will set up your workspace in an independent room, isolated from any source of noise and distraction. But if your home is not that big and it is not possible to have a room exclusively for working in, the office can be set up in any corner. It is important, however, to find a corner in which you have your back to everything that can be a distraction, as to avoid them. For example, if the office is set up in the living room, you could add a folding screen to create a small division and separate this area from the rest of the room.

ERGONOMICS ARE VERY IMPORTANT

Your computer must be in the main position on your table and in front of you, though if the table is large enough to rest your forearms and wrists, you can put it on one side, trying to operate it without turning your neck or torso. The screen should be as far from your as possible, at a minimum distance of 40 cm.

Your work table should be large enough so that you can work in it comfortably. Of course, it must fit the available space and be chosen taking into account how much you use your computer. If you are going to spend long periods of time in front of your computer, speak on the telephone or take many notes, it is essential that you have a table which is at least 700 mm deep, which allows you to rest your forearms, as well as stretch your legs or lift them a little (it is a good idea to have a footrest). Another important thing is for it to have an opening to put cables through.

A current trend is height adjustable desks, to be able to alternate between working sitting down and standing up.

Even if the office is big, a very large desk is not a good idea, as it prevents you from having things within easy reach, and can lead to clutter. Therefore, the key is to find a table suited to the size of the office and in which you can work at ease. Usable space on a desk can be greatly increased by using monitor arms.

Of course, a good chair is key.  Maintaining good posture is essential to avoiding health problems, so it is advisable that the chair has a good back and armrests and can be adjusted to your height and the height of the table. Keep in mind that chairs on a carpet floor being used for many hours in a day will put a large amount of weight on relatively focussed areas of the carpet, eventually causing damage – utilizing specialized floor mats is a good idea.

Having shelves in your office is a good option to place files, books and other items, all within reach.

GOOD LIGHTING IS ESSENTIAL

Having a good source of natural light in the office is essential. Due to the layout of the spaces or the orientation of the dwelling, it is not always possible for the work area to be close to a window that lets in natural light. In these cases it is important to have good artificial lighting that is diffused and placed in a good position to avoid it being reflected on your screen and straining your eyes. It is also important to add a direct source of light, such as a desk lamp, which directly lights the work area.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOURS

Choosing the right colours for your office is key, as these may transmit different feelings.

To aid with concentration and being calm, it is important to be in an environment which does not have very loud colours. Walls should be in a colour that motivates you and inspires you to work. It is also advisable to maintain  harmony with the rest of the furniture and items of your office. Neutral colours such as white never fail, and help the area look clean and spacious, and you can add some elements in vibrant colours so that the space is not too boring.

If you don’t like neutral colours to decorate the office and you are after a more creative and active environment, shades of blue and green are the ones that help concentration, and some details in red and orange can stimulate creativity.

TIDINESS IS KEY

Something basic for creating a good work environment, in which productivity and concentration are favoured, is for it to be well organised, without many visible items. Otherwise, these elements can distract you, making you waste time when you are looking for something.

Furniture must also be arranged in a comfortable and logical manner, in which everything is at hand.

Take the necessary time to organise your workspace in a way that helps you maintain concentration, and avail yourself of elements that allow you to store and sort your materials and documents in a simple and invisible manner: ring binders, organisers, bulletin boards and mood boards to hang inspiring images, notes and photos, so you can decorate the office the way you like, defining your own style and personality. You can also add objects and ornaments that bring good memories.

CREATE A RELAXATION CORNER

It has been proven that people are more productive and imaginative if they incorporate moments of relaxation to their work day.

If your space allows it, create a small reading and relaxation corner, to have a calm environment where you can rest your mind, something that you will need if you are going to be working on your own for many hours.

A TOUCH OF GREEN

Plants are a fantastic decoration idea for home offices. They can be placed strategically, for example around your desk or on a shelf. They bring the space to life, and they can also bring you surprising benefits. Living with plants can help you feel healthier and with more energy to perform your daily activities, as it improves attention and concentration.

As you can see, decorating a home office is not so complicated. You just need to take into account a series of basic principles, as well as personal tastes and needs.

It is not even absolutely necessary to have a room dedicated exclusively to set up your office. You can create very interesting work spaces in the living room, bedroom, or even under the stairs.