Over the past year, as many of our work, school and social activities were shifted online, thousands were thrust into the work-from-home experience. We’ve had to find new ways to incorporate our jobs into our home life, including carving out a designated space for everything from Zoom calls to online office parties. As it turns out, some work-from-home spaces function a bit better than others. Here are five of the key elements that have proven to create the best home office.
A designated work space
Whether you’re limited to a small nook or can maximize an entire room, cordoning off one consistent area as a home office space is critical. Selecting and optimizing the area of your home that is dedicated to work can encourage balance between business and home life (Entrepreneur). Mentally separating your space in this way will help you feel finished at the end of the work day, even though you haven’t technically left the “office”. You can add to this effect by physically sectioning off your space with curtains or room dividers, if you don’t happen to have a spare-bedroom-turned-home-office.
Comfortable finishes
Over the past year, you may have quickly realized that the firm couch or wooden dining chairs just won’t do for eight hours of work. Investing in a high-quality office chair (New York Times, 2020) is essential, but it doesn’t stop there. You’ll also want to make sure the lighting is sufficient, your computer is at a comfortable height and even that the temperature is to your liking. Prioritizing comfort will make your workday more enjoyable and efficient – and could even help cut down on back pain or eye strain.
Plenty of storage
Depending on your role, you may also need to stock up on storage furniture and gadgets (Apartment Therapy, 2019). Create a designated space for everything from sensitive documents to cords, chargers and stationary. Starting each day with a clean and organized workspace will boost motivation, increase efficiency and just plain feel good.
Peace and quiet
While certainly not possible for everyone, seeking out even a few minutes of peace and quiet to focus in on work is critical. If your space doesn’t allow for silence, consider taking some steps to sound-proof the room (Elle Decor, 2016). Pull in a heavy rug to stifle downstairs neighbors, hang some sound-proof curtains to cut traffic noise or, if all else fails, invest in some noise-cancelling headphones. After all, working from home becomes quite a bit trickier if you can never actually focus on work.
Personal touches
Gone are the days of gray commercial carpeting and outdated office furniture! When your home and workspace become one and the same, you’ll want it to reflect some of your personal style (Architectural Digest, 2020). Whether incorporating your favorite color or hanging a beloved piece of art, building a home office opens the door to creative freedom. Ensure it’s a space you feel excited to sit down at every day!
Whether squeezing a space-saving desk into a spare corner or decking out a designated study, you have endless opportunities for customization when working from home. Prioritize function and efficiency while maintaining some of your own personal style and the best home office will materialize in no time. Your efficiency and morale might just spike as well.
Published on February 22, 2021
