Home Office Improvements
Current physical distancing protocols has meant that many of us are required to work from home. If you didn’t already have a home office setup, you were probably left scrambling to rearrange your home and create a makeshift office. Although working from home is temporary, you can still make the most out of your home’s interior with some small improvements. It’s time to move your workstation off your bed, couch, or shoved somewhere that will merely do for the time being. With a few simple considerations, you can turn your office space wherever it may be, into somewhere you can actually enjoy working. For those lucky enough to already have a home office set up, this is your chance to enhance and rejuvenate your space. In today’s blog, we want to outline how to improve your work area to maximize your space, increase your productivity, and make the most out of your home office.
Get Your Location Right
Start with the obvious stuff first before moving on to the smaller details. This means nailing down the fundamental elements of your home office first, like the location. When deciding where your workstation should be, try to choose an area that is large enough to allow for the daily tasks you will need to complete throughout your workday. We understand that right now with everyone at home this can be challenging and may involve some rearranging and imagination. Distractions are all around you at home so, if you can, try to pick a workspace that is removed from things like TVs, beds, or busy gathering places.
That being said, the best location will depend on your job and family lifestyle. If your job requires more focus and virtual meetings, bringing a desk somewhere quieter as your bedroom or basement will most likely be your best bet. If you’re a parent trying to juggle your work and children’s schoolwork, maybe the kitchen island is the best place for you to keep an eye on everything. If you really want to maximize your space and rearrange some rooms to suit your current life at home, you can always schedule a virtual meeting with Amanda, our Interior Decorator. Our Decorating for Our Region initiative allows you to get expert design and decorating advice from the comfort of your own home. Check it out for help deciding how to optimize your space for your home office set up.
Choose the Right Equipment
Once you decide on your office location, or if you already have a designated home office set up, it’s time to figure out what equipment to include. We recommend creating a list of tasks you do throughout the day to ensure your space reflects your job. Do you need a large work surface to hold your computer monitors and keyboard? Do you sit, stand, or both throughout the workday? Does your job include virtual meetings that require a professional, clean background? Do you need a lot of floor space to complete your tasks? Ask yourself these kinds of questions before deciding what equipment to bring into your space. Remember to think about proper ergonomics when choosing your desk, chair, and computer equipment to make sure you are comfortable throughout your entire workday.
Reflect Your Personality
Now that you’ve nailed down your home office fundamentals, it’s time to think about the fun design elements! Since your home office should inspire you and enhance your creativity levels, we recommend surrounding yourself with elements that reflect your uniqueness, lifestyle, and design tastes. Bring in some of your favourite colours and patterns with accent pieces, even if it’s just placing a decorative pen holder or lamp on your desk. Putting in even the smallest amount of design effort into your space will help make you feel more put together and ready to tackle a busy workday.
You should also try to add some personal touches to your space so that you feel at home and not alienated while you work. Add some pictures or artwork around you to make your space feel more welcoming and enjoyable. That being said, try not to go too overboard on accent pieces because this will lead to clutter and distraction. Take care of any clutter that will distract you from your daily tasks by adding proper storage solutions to your workstation. Anything in eyesight that may compete for your attention should be moved into a desk, drawer, bin, or removed from your space. Nobody works well in a messy home office so try to keep things clean and organized to remain productive throughout the day.
Bring the Outside In
We are the most productive when we are comfortable and surrounded by natural lighting. Try to bring as much natural light as possible into your workstation to make it feel bright and fresh. Natural light also helps you avoid eyestrain and glare when working with a screen. The best home offices have all three types of lighting (general, task, and accent) to allow for all the different activities you will need to complete while working. Again, think about what activities you do throughout the day and what kind of lighting will best suit those tasks. If your home office space does not get enough natural light, make sure it has sufficient overhead lighting and try to bring in a desk lamp if possible. Remember to incorporate some greenery into your space for added design touches and to breathe some life into the area. Fresh flowers and indoor plants do wonders for your office’s decorative flair and mood.
Trust CHART with Your Home Renovation Projects
Want more help designing your home office? Whether you’re looking for a temporary fix or a more permanent home office, we’re here to get the job done. We are currently offering virtual design and project quoting support as well as virtual decorative meetings to meet your renovation needs. When beginning your home office renovation projects, trust the Canadian Home and Renovation Team to make the right choices and help guide you through the process. CHART is proud to be celebrating 40 years as one of the most prestigious renovators in the Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph area. Contact us to begin preparing your home for renovations and to get your projects started!
