When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Working from home has become a very common aspect of daily life. Many people work from home full time, while some others work between home and the office. One common problem with working from home is the constant distraction from the home infiltrating the workspace. Effective Home office setups increase productivity. It is a great way to achieve a balanced work and home life while working from home.
A home office is a space designated in a person’s residence for official business purposes. It provides a space for those who are self-employed or work remotely. Separating the home office from the rest of the home is a great way to achieve a more balanced work and home life while working from home.
This article will serve as an ultimate guide to setting up a functional home office. To achieve an effective home office setup, take the following steps:
Find a Dedicated Space for Your Home Office
A well-thought-out home office set up in a small space can be just as effective as a larger one. Is there a low-traffic, quiet area of your house or apartment that you could use for a home office? Or see if there’s a spare closet you could convert into a workspace. Set boundaries with family members during work hours. Use white noise machines or background music for focus. This will help you make the most out of the space you have chosen, especially if it is not enclosed.
Add Privacy
If you’re fortunate enough to have a dedicated room for your office, that room probably has walls that go all the way from the floor to the ceiling and solid doors that close. That makes privacy—and quiet—easy to come by. But when your office is in, say, the corner of your bedroom, you might find it hard to separate work from home.
Consider adding a privacy divider to your home office setup. You can get traditional dividers that sit on the floor. Or you could hang a curtain from the ceiling or on a rod. Curtains are a lightweight and generally inexpensive method of “closing the door” to your office. And, with a curtain, you can choose something subtle that blends in with the rest of the decor.
Avoid Excessive Wires
Sure, Wi-Fi is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a lot of cords in your office. Even your mobile devices have to plug in to recharge sometimes. Your home office is the one place you can count on cords, cords, and more cords.
Invest in some kind of cord management system. This can be as simple as a twist tie, or something a little more elegant, but make sure that whatever you get, you use it. Also, when your office is in a dedicated but public spot, think about where the outlets are when you’re setting up shop. You may not have a lot of options and find you have to run power strips and extension cords across the floor. When that’s the case, make sure you find a way to do it safely (like with cord covers).
Also, while you’re setting up the cords, think about the Wi-Fi, too. There may be days you want to work from home but not in the office. If you think you’ll work on the couch or even outside some days, test your router to make sure the connection doesn’t just reach, but it’s also strong. You may need to invest in a Wi-Fi extender or even Wi-Fi mesh system to make sure you can work on the patio and stay connected.
Pick the right colors
Colors can have a great psychological impact on people. Choosing the right color can mean the difference between high productivity and feeling like you want to sleep every time you sit at your desk. Different colors elicit different physical and emotional responses from people, so you need to choose wisely.
In general, light and airy colors are preferred for a home office. You’ll also want to use more “natural” colors, such as blues, greens, off-whites and other earthy tones.
Use the Right Gadgets
Finding the right gadgets for your Home office might be a little bit tricky. Although it can be difficult, finding the right gadgets and devices can make all the difference. Thankfully, we have an article on that and you can read it here.
Invest in tech essentials
Home office workers know for a fact that reliable internet connection is non-negotiable. You should invest in a high quality internet provider. For a safer experience, you might also subscribe to a VPN service.
You most probably have these already, but here are other obvious essentials: A laptop, a keyboard, mouse and mouse pad, laptop stand, etc.
Open Shelving
Open shelving gives an airy feel to any office and will even make smaller home offices feel bigger. They’re great for keeping items accessible and easily visible, so everything’s just within reach.
Plus, they’re great for decorative appeal, adding a decorative element with built-in function to your office space. However, they offer little protection from the elements so things may get dusty or sun-damaged depending on where the shelves are placed. They could also get overly cluttered and used for storing everything from hats to coffee mugs, so make sure that this type of home office idea is used correctly. That means open shelves remain simple, clean and clutter-free.
4-Tier Bookcase, Storage Shelving Unit, Display Shelf with Open Compartments, Adjustable Storage Shelves, for Living Room, Home Office, Bedroom, Cloud White LBC164T14
In conclusion, while setting up your home office, you should consider both comfort and functionality. Pick furniture and accessories that give your space style. Also, pick gadgets that are fuctional.
