Working from home? Things you need to know to build your perfect space.
If being at home 24/7 is your new normal and words like home office aren’t foreign to you, chances are you need to rethink your space. Having somewhere to work from home can boost productivity and help achieve that work-life balance we’ve lost in the last couple of years. Here at Global Deco we’ve done our fair share of renovations to share some tips with you.
Space for what’s important
With any renovation project the most important thing is to organize everything and decide what we need and what doesn’t serve us any longer. Cleaning should always be the first option, that way we are left with what’s really useful and are able to see things more clearly.
With clutter out of the way, we might find a corner or other nooks that are perfect for the project at hand. Spaces like under the stairs, an unused closet or empty corner can be easily transformed into a functional work space.
Think outside the box and you’ll probably end up with amazing solutions!
Mind the details
It’s not for nothing that people say that everything is in the details, small things like cramped drawers, cables everywhere and piles of books aren’t pleasing to the eye, but also a major distraction we face when working from home. That’s why better storage options are key for productivity.
The fewer things (we don’t need) we have on our working surface, the more we’ll be able to accomplish. The cleaner and peaceful is the environment we create around this space, the more focused we will feel.
After assessing our ideal space, it’s important to figure out the things we absolutely need to work on and prioritise them. If we have a lot of papers, filing cabinets, or a filing system is needed, but within it, we’ll have to decide what should always be at hand, and what can be stored in a closet or somewhere not as easy to access.
Drawers, clear boxes, label makers, shelves, pinboards, etc. are some of the options we have to keep everything tidy.
Let it be light
Light is fundamental to function and work, in order to protect our eyes or just not to fall asleep in the middle of the day!
If you have plenty of space to spare, it’s ideal to have a place with natural light, if not there should be a good mixture of overhead lighting and lamps to achieve a comfort level to work smoothly.
Don’t skip this step, your body will thank you and your boss will too!
A touch of you
You’re at home! So you can do whatever you want, be it tie it to the rest of your house decor or make it so you feel inspired to reach your goals. Tiny touches of things that make you happy, inspire you, or remind you of your goals are that extra push you need when stress kicks in.
Work and being happy can be compatible, this will make your space feel like you can conquer the world.
Also, keep in mind
There are things you can change that don’t necessarily translate into renovations that you should also take into account.
Gadgets
– Noise reduction headphones if you get distracted by the slightest of sounds is a great investment.
– Ask your employer for a better mouse and keyboards, or invest in one yourself. As we mentioned before, this will help your health but also increase your productivity as you are able to be more comfortable.
– Another big investment piece would be a big monitor, to see things better or use it as your second screen to work more effectively.
Invest in your health
-Ergonomic chairs are a must! Some employers will lend you a chair for home office duties, but due to the time we spent in front of a computer it’s not a bad investment. With these types of chairs, we can protect our spine, as they keep us sitting comfortably but with good posture.
– Depending on your habits, a standing desk can help you minimize the damages of sitting down all day in front of a PC. Obviously this won’t change your health, but it won’t contribute to sedentarism. These types of desks are adjustable, so you can work sitting down or standing, you decide how to do it!
Know your limits
For all of our tips, it is very important that you take what works for you. We all have different needs, work and are inspired in other ways, so what may work for some may not work for you.
Here are some examples:
Money
Your ideal office may cost a lot of money, so be honest with your budget and your needs, that way you can spend your money efficiently and get the best results. Be it a DIY project or you’re working with professionals, this tip will save you a lot of headaches!
Space
If you share an apartment, realistically you won’t be able to have an entire room just for your office, so set realistic goals for yourself, maybe a shared office room or a nook in your own bedroom. That’s why we’ve told you at the beginning of the article to assess what you have, so you can work with the space potential.
Yourself
If you know you get distracted easily, don’t put your desktop in front of a window; or if you have to hear music in order to work don’t invest in noise-canceling headphones and opt for a better sound system or get the premium version of the streaming platform you like.
When working with contractors, voice those concerns when talking of the project, as you’re the one that knows your habits and needs the best. This synergy will make it so we can meet all of your expectations and you have a magical workspace.
Good luck with your home office renovation, hope the tips helped you!
If you’re interested in renovating your home, or create a workspace at yours and need help, don’t hesitate to contact us here. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible and discuss your project more in detail.
An example of our work 🙌🏼
Here some pics of how we help one of our clients to separate a room and transforming it into a home office. We can get it done for you as well.
Leave a Reply