Working from home is a hot topic these days. What once seemed like a pipe dream is now a reality for millions of Americans. Remote work has increased by 159% since 2005 and continues its upward trajectory. With that in mind, it’s important to have a suitable home office if you want to remain productive.
Craftmark Homes offers many floor plans with space for a fantastic home office, but that just gets the ball rolling. Then, it’s up to you to make it perfect for your needs.
If you feel a bit stumped, don’t worry – here are some basic tips.
Embrace Natural Light
Natural light is an important part of a suitable home office. Studies show that it actually offers a host of benefits, such as reducing eye strain and headaches. It also helps you wake up in the morning and get going! And natural light means you can incorporate a plant or two into your decor. Craftmark’s home office spaces include large windows that bathe the room in sunlight. You can close the curtains when you need to, and keep the light shining when possible.
Cut The Clutter
If you’ve ever been to a friend’s house and seen their messy home office, you might wonder how they get any work done at all! Use an organizational system that decreases clutter. Go paperless if you can, or at least develop a tidy filing system. Make it a goal to sort paperwork and shred once a week, on a routine. Another major issue is a snake’s nest of cords under the desk. Cable management is crucial for the perfect office. Eliminate wiring or invest in some inexpensive cable holders. You can even use bread twisty ties to help tame the mess!
Design Practically
There’s an art to placing furniture in an intelligent way. For instance, you don’t want your computer screen to face those beautiful, large windows. While sunlight is great, it’s not good when it causes glare on your screen. Keep storage items off the ground and don’t overcrowd the office with furniture that won’t be used. The office needs to be an open, inviting place. Resist the urge to hang a television if it won’t be used strictly for work activities.
Think Minimalistic
It’s tempting to pack your home office with every possible thing you could need. Whiteboard here, laptop there, desktop over there. Don’t forget to save the corner for that expensive printer! Hold on. Take inventory of the items you use every single day. Plan around those items and organize accordingly. Keep things you use sparingly in a storage area, or don’t keep them at all. For instance, if you don’t use a printer often, save the space and head down to the print shop when it’s necessary.
Keep It Comfortable
The designer chair you saw on the internet might look cool, but is it comfortable? You’ll be sitting in it all day, so it needs to be. Look into ergonomic furniture that you can sit in before purchasing. Read the reviews. The internet is an amazing place to shop, but furniture can be a real gamble. You don’t want to risk discomfort. It’s also important to invest in wrist rests for your keyboard and mouse, which can help prevent carpal tunnel.
Plan for the Virtual Meeting
Since we’re all working remotely these days, it’s more important than ever to have a dedicated space where you can present the polished, professional facade you’ve worked so hard to cultivate in-person. We’ve all seen the horror videos of virtual meetings gone wrong! Think about what your colleagues will see when they “enter” your home office. This is an opportunity for them to get to know you a little bit better, and enjoy a glimpse into your personal life. Make sure you don’t have politically insensitive materials on your walls, and put away that laundry you’ve been folding between emails. Include a couple of appropriate, interesting decor pieces in your camera’s view that have a personal story behind them, so when you’re waiting for the meeting to get going you can be on your toes and tell your colleagues about your favorite souvenir.
Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a comfortable, productive home office environment.
Craftmark Homes is a luxury home builder in the Washington, D.C., area. We’ve built our clients’ dream homes for over 27 years and have a sterling reputation in the industry. If you’re in the region and are looking for a great home, contact us today to talk about your needs.