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A home office needs to be intentional. Anyone who has ever spent time working from home already knows that separating home life from work life is challenging. Boundaries can get pretty blurry if you don’t have a designated space designed for focus, concentration, and quietness. Ultimately, nobody can do their best work at a noisy kitchen table. Use these tips to create a well-designed home office.
Choose the Right Furniture for Your Home Office
It’s easy to assume that all you need for your home office is a desk. However, the wrong setup can actually decrease your productivity. First, make sure that your desk stands at an ergonomically friendly height. A comfortable height for a desk is between 28 inches and 30 inches from floor to top. However, you may need to look for a custom height if you are either very tall or very short.
An ergonomic chair is essential! While repurposing an old kitchen chair may seem like a cost-effective way to furnish your office, regular chairs don’t offer the support you need when you’re sitting for up to eight hours a day. Invest in a high-quality office chair with full neck support and high-quality padding.
It’s also important to invest in proper lighting. Many home offices are located in basements or attics with dim lighting. Constantly straining your eyes can lead to headaches, fatigue, and vision issues. You should also invest in good curtains and blinds if sunlight is causing a glare on your screen. Finally, invest in some extra pieces of furniture beyond your desk setup. Extra tables that can be used to store files and office supplies are helpful because they eliminate clutter from your work desk. A comfortable sofa or lounge chair provides a good spot for online meetings that can allow you to get up from your desk for a while.
How to Save Space in a Small Home Office
Every inch in your workspace should work for you. The truth is that a crowded space can cause you to feel anxious and zapped with creativity as you work. Prioritize items that actually help to boost productivity. For example, carving out space for a small coffee station will allow you to grab a coffee during a work session without the need to risk being distracted when you pop into the kitchen to turn on the coffee pot.
Stylish and Functional Storage Options for a Home Office
Storage needs to be part of the conversation when talking about designing a home office. In a home office, vertical storage is often the best option to avoid taking up valuable floor space. Modular storage shelving units that allow you to configure various cabinets and shelves to fit your space can help you make use of your available space without cluttering your office. Tableside shelves that attach to the sides of your work desk are also great for storing documents and reference materials. Another tip is to consider a wall-mounted desk that faces a wall that is covered in desktop-to-ceiling shelves
