Smart Space Management Tips. Home trumps work any day of the week. So, logically a home office has more benefits than any other working environment.
There is no commuting, no boss watching your every move, and balancing professional and private life is a breeze.
Setting up an office at home may seem difficult, but with careful planning and research, you can save up money, increase productivity, and in the long run, be much happier with your job.
Things to Consider While Space Management
When deciding the place of your future home office there are a couple of things worth considering. The space needs to be isolated from the rest of the home, and generally in a less active part of the house.
This will significantly minimize distractions, since you want to focus on your job, and separate home and work hours. Also, your personal requirements and affiliations, as well as the nature of your work will guide the decision making process.
So, creating a workshop next to the dinning room, probably wouldn’t be the best solution, or having the office next to the laundry room.
Setting up Shop
Conserve space by changing the purpose of less frequently used rooms in the house and turn them into your home office. Storage rooms like the attic, basement, and garage can be easily transformed into a spacious, insulated working environment.
Another way to go is to make a dual-purpose room. An extra guest room, and even the dinning room are great due to their infrequent use.
And by making small adjustments to the furniture, like adding pull-out couch, or getting a larger dinning room table, you can have re-furbish the room to accommodate all your needs.
Office Comfort
Comfort is the main idea behind a stay-at-home office. Consider that you might put in long hours in front of the desk, so buy a chair that is enjoyable, but also drives you to work.
Depending on the work, a desk should inspire and be able to handle all the tools of your trade (computer, printer, books, paper, etc.). Apart from being comfortable, your furniture should also be ergonomic.
The chair should support your back, and have enough height, so your arms are parallel to the desk. And by borrowing, buying secondhand or re-purposing furniture, you can cut costs and invest in other aspects of your business.
Light up Work
Your office should also have plenty of light. A well-lit room will make for an efficient working environment that is motivational, but also healthy. Utilize natural light sources as much as possible, whenever possible.
By positioning the desk next to the window, so that the light hits you from the right-hand side, you will get the greatest amount of light, decrease shadows on your work area, and tone down outside distractions.
Although natural light is great, it is in short supply. Although many rooms have an overhead light, a desk lamp should be an essential at your work station.
Combining it with other light sources will mean that your work space is always well-lit and you don’t exert your eyes.
Break Time
Depending on space, create a relaxing comfy zone within the office. This will enable you to think, research, read, and plan, when you are not actively working. The corner will also provide a great break area.
Get yourself a comfy armchair, or a couch, and soft Zado rug will feel great on your feet when you take your shoes off. You should also include a lamp and a coffee table for those serene coffee breaks.
Office Storage
Storage is an issue with any office, so be sure to get creative and organized. Big stacks of paper, files, and office supplies, are not very inspirational, and the best way to removed them from sight is to put them into a closet.
Another great trick to minimize office clutter is to store the non-essentials in a different room, such as a basement. On the other hand, keep the essential documents near you, by putting up shelves and storing them there.
In the end, the home office tops a regular cubical any day, so make it an enjoyable and motivational working area. And if you do it right, you will save money and nerves, manage your own hours, and ultimately be your own boss, working from the comfort of your own home.
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She loves cooking, baking, sewing, spending quality time with her daughters and she’s passionate for writing.
She is contributor on High Style Life and her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.” Find her on Facebook.