Your designated work space at home should both maximize productivity and maintain an inviting aesthetic. Whether you work entirely from home or use your home office as a secondary or backup work space, you need to make sure the area is appropriate for work.  Here are some pointers to consider when creating a productive home office.

Location.

Try to set up your home office in a spot that is secluded and where there is not a lot of traffic. Sitting near a door or a main hallway can create unwelcome distractions, and can affect your focus and productivity. Also, make sure the temperature is comfortable. Working close to an air conditioning vent or a heater can cause you to become too cold or too hot while you work, which can also create a distraction and affect your productivity. Make sure the space is not close to nosy areas, such as the kids’ playroom.

Open Spaces.

It is preferable to have an office area in a separate room that you can close off from the rest of the house. However, that is not always possible. If your work space is in an open area, like a living room or family room, you can make it more productive by creating a physical boundary that establishes a visual separation from the rest of the room and provides a barrier against distraction.  A pretty room divider can segregate your work space without being an eye sore. You can find a myriad of acceptable options online.  These range from traditional movable pieces, to multi-functional options like open bookshelves, or even indoor vertical garden walls.

Small Areas.  

Creativity is key when you don’t have abundant space for your home office.  You could convert closets, under stair spaces or other small crevices into fully functional work areas.  You can make it work with small office furniture, or by installing a custom cabinet system that is tailored to the specific dimensions of the space you have available. 

A View.

A visual inspiration always helps to gather your thoughts and allow productivity to flow.  If at all possible, set your home office near a window or a glass door with natural light and a pretty view.  This will help reinvigorate a tired mind. 

Lighting.

Natural lighting is an incredible resource that, among other things, according to various studies, leads to increased productivity and a better mood.  Consider how to best utilize any natural light at your disposal.  Aside from the benefit of natural light, you must consider other lighting needs.  Is a desk lamp a better option for you, or do you prefer a floor lamp slightly farther away? 

Writing Area.

The desk or work surface is, of course, an important part of your home office.  When you purchase a desk or are setting up your desktop area, consider your daily tasks and the items you need to have close in order to do your work.  The office supplies and other items you use regularly should be accessible, but it is preferable if they are kept inside your desk drawers and not on top of your work surface.  You should avoid clutter on top of our desk. By maintaining only the strictly the necessary items on your desk, you will be more comfortable, will decrease distractions, and will be more focused.  

Storage. 

As mentioned above, you should maintain the items you use the most at close reach.  You could keep the ones you don’t use as often in nearby areas that could be a bit more distant.  For example, you can use typical home furniture pieces that are near your work space as storage for your work supplies.  An armoire or console table nearby can discreetly store your printer, papers, files and more, yet they blend into the larger area without interfering with the look or the flow of the home. Book shelves can hold a multitude of items, and if close to an outlet, can even hold electronic equipment. Floating shelves are attractive, and can hold some of your books or other items.  You can place the office supplies that you store in open shelving inside aesthetically pleasing file holders, binders, baskets or containers that complement the décor of the area. 

Not Just A Chair.  

When purchasing a chair for your work space, you need to consider various factors, but comfort is vital. Take into account the height of the chair, and whether it provides adequate back support and arm support.  Some people even utilize a small footstool to occasionally put up their feet for extra comfort.  If you plan on spending extended periods of time working from your home office, you should consider purchasing an ergonomic chair. If your chair has wheels, place a rug or mat underneath it to avoid floor damage.

Electronics and Internet.

Electronics and the internet are key in order for you to be able to work from home.  You should make sure your work area is close to electric outlets where you can connect your electronics and other devices.  You should also make sure you have adequate internet speed so that you can quickly connect with your office, clients or other servers or networks.  Always be sure to have power surge protectors to protect your electronic devices in the case of electrical power outages. You should also obtain backup hard drives or cloud storage so you won’t lose data. Place your computer monitor at a distance that does not force you to strain your sight.  If you need to squint or use your glasses to read, your eyes will tire quickly and a headache will likely soon follow.

Visitors. 

If you plan on having clients or co-workers visit your home office, take into consideration the route they must walk through to get to your work space.  Must they pass through the kids’ play area or a laundry room?  Are there alternate entrances to your home that can give your clients or co-workers access to your work area without having to go through unsightly spots in your house?

Décor. 

Personalize your home office with touches of color and/or patterns that express your individual style.  Nowadays you can find elegant, efficient and fun pieces of office furniture that will make you feel better when you’re there.  Be sure to not go overboard with the décor, or have too many items that can cause distractions.  You’ll want the space to be inviting, but not quite the same as the rest of your home.

Use the designated area only for work.

The most important part of a home office is that you feel good being in that space, and that it is free of distractions. With a little bit of planning, it you can design a productive home office!