With so many of us working from home, our bedrooms, spare rooms and living rooms have now become popular working spaces with computers, desks, laptops and plenty of tea and coffee taking over our homes. But, how can you ensure you have the perfect home office setup?
This guide will take you through some top tips on creating your perfect home office, from the best places to set up your desk, what you should be looking out for when choosing your desk and chair to creating the perfect ambience in your space.
Computer World mentions how to create the perfect work from home space on their website: “Ideally, you would use a small room that can hold a desk and computer equipment and whose door can be shut for the essential need to separate work life from home life.
“Most people don’t have spare space, but many people can convert a guest room into a dual-purpose space: an office most of the time and a guest room when people visit.”
Use natural light
Your work from home space should ideally be in its own dedicated room, but we know that not everyone has the privilege of having the extra space, so making do with the space you have is the best way to move forward and create your ideal workspace.
Having a separate workspace allows you to split your working environment from your living environment, something that is known to boost productivity. One thing that is great for boosting productivity and allowing you to enjoy your workspace is making the most of the natural light in your home. Placing your desk in a room that has a large flood of natural light is a great way to make your space more enjoyable, just ensure that you don’t place your setup in direct sunlight to avoid strain and sun glare. A setup with a view is often a popular choice due to the nice scenery that surrounds you as you work.
Real Homes comment a little more about the benefits of natural light in the workspace: “When working from home, it’s vital to allow in as much natural light as possible. Particularly during the winter and spring months. A lack of natural light available during the day can adversely affect moods, focus and your body clock, making you feel tired and damage your concentration levels. The typical home workspace offers less than half the amount of natural light recommended to keep your mood elevated.”
Choose the right desk
Some of you may work on your dining table, your dressing table, just on a laptop on your sofa or somewhere else in your home, but there are many benefits to purchasing a proper desk and having a permanent set up in your home.
Your desk, much like your office desk, should be set up for your preferred working conditions. It should be sturdy, large enough for you to fit all your work equipment and it should be a sufficient height. If you’re after a rustic style desk, building your own wouldn’t come with too many complications, wood and timber can be recycled and reused to make beautiful wood-finished desks for the home.
Ergo Desks explain how to work out what height your desk should be on their website: “So now you’re asking what height your desk should actually be set to. The answer is very simple: (Your height in inches) + 1 = Your perfect desk height in cm. If we take the 73cm desk set for someone at 6 feet tall, all we need to do is add or subtract 1cm for every inch over or below 6 feet you are.”
Buy an adjustable chair
An office chair is one of the most important parts of a home office setup and something that many don’t think about initially. Your office or work chair supports you through the day and you will want it to be comfortable and adjustable to suit your needs.
Your office chair should be of a suitable standard, many people choosing to bring their chairs home from their offices to fill in the gap. If you are thinking of purchasing your own chair, there are a few things to think about:
- Your chair should be sturdy but supportive, you want to be able to move freely in the chair but have sufficient support to your back, arms and legs.
- You should be able to adjust the height of your chair to allow you to move up and down depending on your working environment and desk.
- Your chair should be suited to your height and size and the arms adjusted accordingly.
Find the right aesthetic
The aesthetic of your home can have a great impact on your productivity. If you are working in a home that you enjoy the look of, you are more likely to work at your full capacity. There are many ways you can improve your home or home office to your tastes, some of these being:
- Give your room a lick of paint – painting and decorating is a cheap way to brighten up any room. Giving your office a new lease of life with a different colour or a fresh coat of white paint can instantly change the aesthetic of a space.
- Add pictures – adding pictures to a space can make a room feel homely and cosy and will often make people feel at ease in a space, so they are perfect for an office or working environment.
- Add soft furnishings – soft furnishings are not only a great aesthetic addition to any room but they offer you a few options when it comes to working. Those who find it hard to sit at a desk all day can experiment with their working positions, taking their laptop to a chair or a sofa in the office to allow them to keep focused and productive.
If you’re working from home, there are plenty of ways you can make sure your space is perfect for you and your working requirements. Working from home also allows time for other home improvements and RGB offers everything from roofing to fencing supplies in Cornwall, Devon and the rest of the UK as well as many other supplies perfect for home improvements.