Life in the 21st century has its perks. One of those is to be able to work from virtually anywhere. If you’ve successfully convinced your boss to let you log more hours from home this year, you’ll want a killer workspace to match.
Don’t let your home office become the dumping ground for all unwanted furniture and décor. If you’re going to really use your home office this year, make it an inspiring and functional space. Here are 10 tips for upgrading your home work area.
1. Clear the clutter. Most of us are guilty of accumulating clutter throughout the year, be it unfiled paperwork, fabric samples or dried-out pens. Before anything else, sweep your space clean and start fresh.
2. Get organized. After getting rid of the excess, find an organizing system that works for you. Make sure that everything that might end up in your office is accounted for, and store each item in its appropriate bin, box, container or tray.
3. Pay attention to the view. Staring at a white wall all day isn’t very inspiring. Rearrange the furniture so your desk faces a window. If there isn’t room for that, consider hanging artwork or a mirror above your desk (just make sure to hang it high enough that you don’t end up staring at yourself all day).
4. Make your layout multipurpose. In many homes, the office doubles as a guest room, media room or den. Set up your desk across from the sofa or sofa bed to serve as double duty for TV watching. With that setup, you can either stream entertainment from a desktop computer or mount a TV on the wall behind the desk.
5. Build it in or tuck it away. Not everyone has the luxury of having a full room dedicated to an office. When dealing with an open area, create a desk space within a built-in storage wall to keep clutter at bay.
6. Float your desk. Does your work involve client visits at home? Or maybe you like having your husband or kids pop by while you work. If so, consider floating your desk in the middle of the room and adding one or two guest chairs — a layout that is much more sociable and open.
7. Make his and hers work. When creating an office space for both you and your significant other, create continuity to help keep order. Try to match desks, chairs and lamps, and keep individual clutter tucked away.
8. Use the wall behind your desk. Installing bookshelves behind your desk is one of the most practical changes you can make in your home office. A quick roll around and you have access to all your important files.
9. Check your lighting. Invest in adequate lighting for your workspace. During the day, face your computer screen away from windows to avoid daylight glare. At night, make sure you have a good task lamp to keep the midnight oil burning.
10. Get inspired. If you work in a creative field, you know the importance of finding inspiration on a daily basis. Surround yourself with objects and images that get your creative juices flowing.
