In a world where work-from-home jobs are commonplace, there has been a resurgence in the need for a home office. Whether that space is an actual room in the house, a dedicated outbuilding, or simply a corner of the living room, there are certain design and decorating features that will make your space functional, flexible and comfortable. Where to start?
A Blank Slate
Literally and figuratively, a blank slate is an important aspect of any office. Keeping your environment clean, tidy and ready for new work keeps your mind fresh and ready to attack whatever tasks you might have.
1. Clean
It is the simplest of advice, but arguably the most important. Whether you are a clutter type or a fan of the sparse look, everyone benefits from a clean space.
Work top to bottom and give surfaces a spray with a multi-purpose cleaner that smells amazing to give your room a lift. Make sure your office furniture is free of trash, dust, dirty laundry, etc. and make sure you give the floor a final sweep and vacuum. A 10 or 20 minute cleanup every few days keeps your office smelling nice and looking tidy, which allows your mind to focus on the actual work at hand (instead of that foul smell or corner of dust bunnies).
If your office still needs some freshening, a dehumidifier and/or air purifier can make a world of difference. Trying to cover up a musty smelling office with air fresheners will just give you a headache, but actually clearing up the air by removing moisture and contaminants refreshes the space.
2. Visual Negative Space
Sometimes there is an urge to fill up every wall in a room, and the office is no exception. You might think twice about this strategy when decorating your office. Do you really need a wall of inspirational posters and woven wall hangings? I would suggest spending your budget on large organizational wall systems (corkboards and whiteboards can look fantastic when well designed), a nice clock and a few choice pieces of art. When you step into an office space, you want your mind to quickly focus on the work you need to do, not rattle around visually engaging with a host of decor items. Keep it simple and you will keep your focus.
3. A Literal Blank Slate
Whether you are an artist, a businessman or a sales rep, a blank slate can free your mind of clutter and get you focused on a task. For an artist, this might mean several blank canvases or easels. For a writer, this might mean a row of clipboards ready for chapter titles. For a businesswoman, this might mean a clean, blank desk surface. Keeping at least one area free and clear of visual clutter gives your eyes and your mind a place to rest before leaping into your newest project.
Create a Mood
Mood is typically relegated to living room, bedroom, even bathroom design. How do you want to feel when you walk into the room? Do you want a relaxing atmosphere? Do you want to feel comforted and nested? Would you rather have an invigorating mood that encourages conversation and action? Offices tend to get the shaft when it comes to mood because you don’t really need to feel anything while you work, right? White walls, a three piece office suite, trash can, printer and BOOM — done! Right? That is so backwards! Of course your office needs a mood! It doesn’t matter if you are in a creative or technical career, online or off, EVERY office should suit the needs of the worker stationed there.
4. Lighting
Good lighting is vital in any office to reduce eye strain, but lighting can also create various moods for your office space. Installing dimmer switches on overhead lighting can cut down on the interrogation room feel. Keeping a warm-shade lightbulb in a lamp next to a comfortable leather chair can make your worktime more relaxed.
5. Plants and Creatures
Every office can benefit from a living thing. Whether that is an indestructible spider plant or a fish tank with 13 cent goldfish, a plant or animal can bring a very quiet level of companionship and peace to an office space. Plants will add the extra benefit of helping keep the air clean and fresh as well!
6. Sound
An office space benefits greatly from the sounds of silence, but some feel a little music or background noise can help them focus. Consider headphones or earbuds to block out peripheral noise, or add in some calming Celtic tunes, new age rock or twangy country. A home system like Sonos is a great choice for directing specific Pandora stations, podcasts or downloaded songs to specific rooms.
Function, Function, Function
The typical “office” furniture setup meets the needs of a very particular type of worker. The classic L-shaped desk is well suited for someone who needs to alternate between being on the phone, shuffling papers, working on a computer and meeting with clients. For many workers, they might never do any of those tasks.
7. Again, Lighting
Lighting sets a mood, but it is also an important functional aspect of your space. Is your desk top well lit enough to read without squinting? Do you need to switch out regular incandescent bulbs to full spectrum bulbs to be able to distinguish colors better? Do not underestimate the difference a simple bulb change can have on your office space.
8. The Desk
Does the L-shaped desk work for you or do you need more workspace? An architect’s design table might be a better fit for you. Perhaps you really just need a small desk area, but you need a large sewing table or open floor space in lieu of a large office desk. The desk should fit the function of the tasks you need to complete instead of relying on traditional setups.
9. The Chair
Aside from keeping the office clean and tidy, a good chair might be the most important consideration when creating an office space. You will most likely be in that chair for hours and hours, so please spend a little more to get one that is comfortable and supportive. If it looks great, that is an added benefit, but function wins over form in this particular decision.
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