A Collection of Blog articles by Kathi Cloud, Owner

HOW TO CREATE AN EFFICIENT HOME OFFICE USING THE SPACE YOU HAVE

Designing an efficient home office isn’t as difficult as it sounds.

Here are 4 tips for creating a productive home office:

•  Identify a Purpose

•  Designate a Workspace

•  Give Yourself the Proper Tools

•  Consider the Aesthetics

IDENTIFY A PURPOSE 

Home offices can serve a variety of purposes. Some people may require a fully operational office to meet with clients. Others might only need a studio or hobby room. A key element for those with school aged kids may simply be a place for them to study.

It’s possible that your workspace only needs to accommodate paying bills, planning a grocery list, or catching up on social media. Recognizing the purpose of your home office will guide the rest of your decisions.

DESIGNATE A WORKSPACE

Identify an area in your home to be used as an office. A spare room can easily be equipped to satisfy all the requirements of a productive workspace. However, not everyone has the luxury of dedicating an entire room to serve as a home office. If this describes your scenario, that’s okay. Creating a workstation in your home is easier than you might think.

First, look for any unused space, or one that can serve a dual purpose. For example, a guest bedroom can double as a home office during the day. A desk in the corner of a room can easily be outfitted with the essentials. If a small writing area or computer desk will suffice, you may want to consider a stair landing, a hallway, or even an attic alcove. Alternatively, you may be able to use part of a larger room, a living room for example, to accommodate a desirable workspace.

GIVE YOURSELF THE PROPER TOOLS

Every home office has four necessities:

1.  Desk

Make sure the work surface is sufficient for the tasks you must accomplish. Pay attention to the height to ensure maximum comfort.

2.  Chair

A desk chair should be comfortable while giving the necessary support. Make sure you will be able to adjust the height as well as the amount of back support. Do you prefer using a chair with arm rests or would a task chair suit your need? You may also want to consider an ergonomic option for added comfort and support.

3.  Storage

The items you need to store will dictate the type of storage needed. Do you have larger items such as printers? While tech is a priority in most offices, you can discreetly disguise it with the right kind of storage.  If you are only storing office supplies, shelves should serve the purpose. Keep in mind that built in cabinets offer more storage than shelves.

4.  Light

The right lighting in a home office is crucial. Natural light is best, but if that isn’t an option, use a bulb that simulates daylight. Supplement any natural light with ambient and task lighting. Pendants or ceiling lights will offer general lighting for the space; however, targeted lighting is also needed to properly illuminate your desktop. Make sure overhead lighting is placed appropriately to avoid working in your own shadow.

CONSIDER THE AESTHETICS

Our surroundings can affect productivity. Let’s be honest; we work better in pleasant areas. There’s no need for your home office to look commercial. It can be as comfortable and colorful as you want it to be. When choosing a color for your home office, remember that colors affect your mood. Pay attention to not only the color, but the intensity as well. Brighter colors are more stimulating, while colors with lower saturation tend to be more soothing. Consider the desired atmosphere according to the work you do. For example, an accountant will likely benefit from a soothing shade of blue, which is said to aid in concentration and focus. Conversely, the hues of peach or coral boost creativity. Finally, keep clutter to a minimum in order to maximize your productivity.

By Design Cabinetry is here to help with your cabinet and storage needs throughout your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a consultation at our showroom.

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