The owner avoided overloading any of the room circuits by providing a separate electrical outlet for the computer and peripherals when deciding where to put outlets and phone jacks. The office space is cleverly separated by bookshelves and cabinets, leaving the rest of the great room completely usable for other purposes.
COMMON DESIGN MISTAKES | Home Office Design Mistakes and How to Fix Them | Julie Khuu
What to look for in your home office layout
Select a home office design that meets your needs and fosters a productive work environment. Keep in mind the following when planning your home office:
Tips to help you design your home office
The following seven suggestions will help you design the ideal home office layout:
1. Work with what you have
Start with what you have before making new purchases. Examine your current arrangement to see if it is useful and appropriate for your needs. Then, decide what items you need to complete your layout. This enables you to save money for more expensive purchases and furnishings, like office chairs and plants. Make up for anything you’re missing by using the items you do have in unique ways, such as repurposing an unused dresser as storage and a temporary desk.
2. Aim for a clutter-free workspace
Make a layout for your home office that conceals clutter and encourages cleanliness. Utilize the cabinets and shelving in your office to ensure that everything has a place to call home, or buy a desk with storage and shelves, to ensure that the space is organized. A clutter-free workspace makes for a healthier working environment and increases productivity and efficiency. Clear, uncluttered areas can reduce stress and enhance mental health.
3. Have an idea in mind before setting up your layout
Before you begin organizing your space, it’s crucial to have a general idea of how you’ll use each area, whether you’re adding on to your house or using a specific room or area as an office. If your home office functions as another room, think about how to divide the area or utilize furniture that can serve multiple purposes.
If your bedroom doubles as your office, for instance, place the bed in one half of the space and your workspace in the other, and use a temporary divider to divide the two areas effectively. Find ways to store home office supplies when not in use if you use your living room as an office instead so that visitors will feel more at home.
Ask friends and coworkers about their home offices if you need some layout ideas to get a general idea of what works best. Consider how you need your home office to function. Create a space for that, for instance, if you need to meet with people in person or via video chat. You should also think about what you will require for a productive workday, such as a chair with the right height, a clock to keep time, and lighting to aid in concentration without tiring your eyes.
4. Consider your offices location
When designing the layout of your home office, consider where it will be located. Make plans to avoid distractions if you are next to busy areas like the kitchen or playroom or if you are facing a busy street.
Find a location that is farthest from these distractions if you live in an area with frequent outside noises like school-bound children and traffic. If this is not possible, consider purchasing noise-canceling headphones or using a white noise machine to block out any distracting noises while you work.
If at all possible, discuss with your employer how to design your home office so that it takes into account your cost of living.
5. Make it your own
Making your home office your own is one of the benefits of setting it up. Unlike in a traditional office or shared workspace, you are not constrained by a predetermined layout. You can create any type of home office you want when you work from home. For instance, you could initially place your desk next to your window, but if that location doesn’t work for you, you can move it to one that does. If you discover that your current space isn’t as productive as it could be, you can also switch rooms.
6. Think about the bigger picture
To design a layout that functions the way you want it to, it might take some trial and error. Consider how you can advance in your environment and what growth entails for you. This aligns with setting career goals for yourself. It might entail moving to a different location outside of your home or occupying another room in your house. Try to consider your professional aspirations and how they might be reflected in the design of your home office.
7. Consider your tech needs
When setting up your home office, consider your technology requirements. Make sure your office has plenty of outlets and surge protectors if you need to plug in multiple things at once to protect your technology. Additionally, make sure that everything has access to outlets in case you need to quickly unplug something.
Design your office so that wires are concealed behind or inside of furniture for a clean appearance. Consider where your wireless router is in relation to your office as well. For faster connection, have the router in the same room. If you can’t do this, spend money on a Wi-Fi extender for your office.
FAQ
Where should a desk be placed in a home office?
- Location Is Key. Home offices come in many different shapes and sizes.
- Allow Enough Space. Make sure you allow enough space to work comfortably.
- Selecting a Desk and Chair. …
- Storage and Shelving. …
- A Place to Meet. …
- Natural Light and View. …
- Tame Your Technology. …
- Accessorize and Personalize.
How do I set home office space?
A desk that is positioned properly Position your desk as close to a source of natural light as you can. Additionally, you ought to position your desk as near as possible to a source of natural light. Some people prefer to have their backs to the window, but if that is too distracting, position the desk perpendicular to the window.
