1. Location is crucial
There are many different kinds of home offices. A home office can be in its own room, a quiet corner or even in the kitchen. When choosing the best place to locate your home office, you need to consider when and where you do most of your work. In case you are a busy mom, then a kitchen desk area may serve as your central command center. But if you are a professional, you will need to choose an isolated area where you won’t be interrupted or distracted by the daily flow of your household.
2. Ensure there is enough space
You will definitely need enough space in order to work comfortably. Allow enough space to easily move side to side and also to stand and sit back from your work area. Even though this might seem obvious, it is easy to overlook the amount of space that you will actually need. However, you can avoid this by applying the same rule of thumb that professional designers apply to set up workstations – leave out at least 84″ (210cm) in depth 60″ (150cm) in width.
3. Choosing a desk and chair
Having the right desk and chair for your home office is crucial. Go for a desk that is wide enough to accommodate your computer and everything else that you will need for your work, be it reference materials, an in-tray, or space to take notes. Preferably, your desk should be at least 48″ (120cm) wide, but in case all you’ll need for your work is a laptop, then you can go for a smaller sized desk.
A majority of people prefer 60″ (150cm) wide or larger as they find them more comfortable. Even though a desk with an adjustable height is ideal, it might not be the best choice for a home office setting. Go for a desk that isn’t too high, ideally 28″-30″ (70-75cm). Also, remember to invest in a comfortable and high-quality chair. If possible, go for an adjustable one. This will be very important for your neck and back.
The following three home office designs created with RoomSketcher show various ways to utilize these tips
4. Storage and Shelving
When setting up a home office, sometimes it is easy to overlook storage and this can seriously affect your productivity. Ensure that you have enough shelves, filing cabinets or cupboards for your storage requirements. Think about your workflow – what will be coming in, where will you be placing it while it’s being worked on, and where will it be going after it is complete? Your inbox should be placed on or right next to your desk. The current work you are working on should always be close to you. Your filing systems should also be closeby. Also, consider your reference materials – if you are using catalogs, manuals, or reference books, place a bookshelf close to your desk so that you can easily access them when needed.
5. A Place to Meet
If you are expecting to be having clients or customers come by during the day, then it will be ideal to convert an extra room into a small meeting area. However, if this isn’t possible, then plan for some extra seats in your home office layout for sit-down meetings. Find the ideal furniture, read these Wayfair reviews. One or two comfortable chairs that you can easily pull up to your desk will be enough.
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