Working from home is fast becoming the new norm for many office workers. Even if you only do it part-time, there’s plenty to be gained from the productivity of your own space, organised just the way you like it. When setting up your perfect home office, be sure to keep the following tips in mind.
The home office versus the home
A home office has to be just that, an office inside the home. Mixing the two can be disastrous for productivity. While you may have the luxury to occasionally sit out on the patio or on the living room sofa while you work, most jobs require your full attention and focus. Your office space should be a place that is physically separate from the rest of the home, with clear distinctions on where it begins and ends. Knowing this is step one in setting up a great home office.
Marking your territory starts with good design
Start by answering the following questions:
- What type(s) of work will you be doing in this space?
- Will clients or colleagues visit your home office?
- What are your storage needs?
- What type of equipment and infrastructure do you need?
The answers to these questions will aid you in designing your office, your next step is creating a floorplan.
Creating a floorplan
Before you start buying or moving desks and equipment into your office, create a quick floorplan sketch on pen and paper. It will help you visualise how your office should look. Consider the answers to the questions above and use that information as well as the rest of the information in this guide to make your office perfect.
Lighting your home office
Where possible, it’s always preferable to locate your home office near a source of natural light. Windows are the most obvious source, but if you can access light through a doorway you may try keeping that open as well, provided there isn’t too much noise from outside.
Place computer screens and work areas so natural light flows across rather than directly onto the screen. If you have multiple windows, use venetian blinds to control light sources throughout the day.
Even with the best natural lighting you’ll need to supplement your lighting needs for cloudy days and evenings with interior lighting. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. You probably already have overhead lighting in your home office. Use desk and floor lamps to help provide light profiles suitable to different activities in your workday. An single adjustable desk lamp can do wonders for lighting different areas while you work.
Proper airflow for your home office
Airflow is an often overlooked component in setting up your home office. Most office spaces utilise ducted air conditioning to control airflow. At home you have the luxury of using fresh air from outside through windows and doors. A couple of well placed open portals can create a cross breeze that is comfortable while remaining amenable to productive and creative work. Prevent distractions from invading flies and mosquitos by employing retractable fly screens.
Deploy the right technology and equipment
Your technology and home office equipment needs should be considered as a whole, with an eye towards the types of tasks you perform. Here’s a few current technology and office trends you can consider:
- Hybrid / standing desks: Hybrid desks let you adjust the height of your desk to use in both standing and sitting positions. By changing your profile through the day, it can help you stay productive and engaged with your work.
- 2 in 1 computing devices: Combining the productivity of a laptop with the portability and flexibility of a tablet, 2 in 1 devices like the Microsoft Surface Pro, HP Spectre and iPad Pro can offer a versatile solution to your needs.
- Task specific devices: Desktop, tablet, smartphone or laptop? A trend competing with the idea of the ‘device that does everything’ is the idea of task specific devices. In a home office you have more control over your environment. Why not set up a dual screen desktop on your desk and have a comfy couch for reading documents on your tablet or laptop.
What you need will depend largely on the types of tasks you do. Remember that your home office is your space, so don’t feel as though you have to copy an office environment entirely. Make it your own. Make sure you’re knowledgable on how to use various software and hardware as well. For example, if you’re experiencing computer problems make sure to consult an expert to help out.
Controlling smells and odors in your home office
Aromas can have a strong affect on how we feel, our emotions and moods. Throughout the work day we want to feel productive, but also access different modes of productivity depending on what and when we do it. There’s two basic strategies to consider when it comes to the smell of of your home office:
- controlling existing odours
- introducing new scents
Controlling existing odors
Depending on where your office is located, smells from the kitchen, laundry and other areas can influence the scent in your home office space. In some cases these can be quite pleasant. For example, many people like the smell of fabric softener and washing detergent that you commonly find in the laundry. But kitchen smells, such as food cooking, can be pleasant and distracting at the same time.
With the proper scheduling and forethought, existing odors around the home can be minimised. Cooking can take place outside of work time, and other distracting smells that come from disinfectants can also be controlled by sealing them away in cupboards.
Introducing new scents
If you are the only one working in your home office you have more freedom to introduce scents into your work environment that help you feel productive. This can be achieved through:
- the introduction of plants and flowers
- lighting scented candles
- burning of incense and diffusion of essential oils
Beyond introducing your own scents, you can control airflow by letting fresh air into the office from outside with the right screens.
