More than five million Americans work from home, and over the next few years that number is expected to increase significantly.
As someone who regularly works from home, I find this trend hardly surprising. There are a number of advantages to both the employer and employee to working at home. I enjoy my short “commute” in the morning, my casual attire, and seeing my son at lunch.
Working from home successfully takes careful planning though. The first step, and I think the most important one, is having the right set up for your home office space.
When I first started working from home five years ago, I made the mistake of using an old table for my desk and a chair I had moved with me from previous college apartments. The table wasn’t big enough for me, and the chair was terribly uncomfortable. My printer was on the floor and my phone jack was on the wrong side of the room. The set up was awful.
I spent that first weekend re-thinking and planning my home office set up, and now five years later I’m so glad I did. Taking time to plan your home office is critical to making working from home go smoothly. Here are five home office design tips for a great set up:
Buy good furniture and supplies
You should try to make a home office as much like a true office as possible. Find a good office desk and storage solutions. Get a speaker phone or head set – you’ll likely be on the phone a lot. Get an oversized calendar and a dry erase board for quick notes and appointments.
Find a comfortable chair
If you invest in anything for your home office space, make it your chair. It’s where you’ll spend most of your time. There is a big difference between a cheaply made office chair and a quality one. I have a swivel office chair with a high back and adjustable lumbar support .
Limit distractions
My friend Ryan shared with me another good tip to keep in mind. Ryan shared, “I have a TV in my home office, but I’m very disciplined not too turn it on. I can imagine a TV in the office can be very distracting for some people.” Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in the home office you don’t want the room to be too distracting for you.
Keep it warm
My home office is painted a warm buttercream color. I like having the space a warm color. It helps keep the mood relaxing and peaceful, which is especially helpful during a stressful workday. Additionally, you’ll want a paint color that is easy on your eyes.
Personalize it
My friend Meghan reminded me try to personalize your home office as much as possible. Her office has black and white photos of Baltimore from today and from years ago. She also has a letter “B” on her bookshelf for her last name and a few personal pictures on her desk and bulletin board. Much like you’d personalize a traditional office, you should do the same at home.
Do you work from your home office? What other home office space advice would you share?
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Tags: home design, Home Office Decor, Home Office Design Tips