Home Office That Works
In a time when the world is on a lock down, companies are faced with keeping their employees and partners safe during the pandemic while keeping their business afloat.
With many people adjusting to the new normal, a growing percentage of the work force finds themselves engaging in work-from-home setup, which necessitates to designate an area in your home as a office space.
Making a home office is more than just setting up a desk and chair in a vacant area. It requires much thoughts and planning to create a productive space that really works.
Chandra Interiors designers put together some things you need to consider when establishing a home office.
DETERMINE THE PURPOSE
Will you be running a business in the designated space? Is it just a remote workspace where you work on the overflows from your office in the evening or weekends? Does work-from-home your norm?
Before designing, it is better to start thinking about what is the real purpose of your home office to determine what kind of working space you need and how to design it.
DECIDE HOW MUCH SPACE YOU NEED
Figure out what kind of work you will be doing in the space to determine how much space you need. Will it be simply paying bills and scheduling activities? Will you be accepting clients to your home office? Will you be collaborating with your officemates? Will you do video conferencing?
Home office needs not be expansive, but it should be ample and suit your need.
FIND A GOOD LOCATION
Where you are setting up your home office can determine productivity and efficiency. Consider your working style, the nature of work, and the needs of the people living in your house.
A good location should be solely dedicated to your work use. It should be separated from the rest of the house and away from possible interruptions. In a work-from-home set-up, it is important to maintain boundaries between home life and work.
If you have a garden or a garage, you can transform them into an office room; they are best when you are expecting clients and colleague which require ample seating space.
If you don’t have a separate space, convert a guest room or any area which is rarely used and underutilized. If living in a small space, recreate a corner of a bedroom or living room into a small office.
SET UP THE SPACE
For best result, arrange an effective traffic flow and create a well-designed room layout. With this plan, you can arrange furniture and office fixtures in accordance to the room features such as window, doors, lighting, among others.
The best design plan can help maximize the space by taking into considerations the sizes and positions of the office furniture and storage spaces, as well as minimizing the presence of distractions.
Survey the space and find if there is need some fixing. Does the space have enough sockets for your computer, printer and other electrical needs? Does it have enough natural light, or do you need to install lighting system? Do the window and floor need some minor repairs?
BRIGHTEN UP
Lighting is one of the things you shouldn’t compromise. It amps up your productivity. Natural light is still the best option. Position your work area close to the window to benefit from the daylight and possibly save electricity.
Windowless room needs a lighting design that complements the overall look of your home office and supply enough illumination.
CHOOSE FURNITURE
A word of advice from Chandra Interior, do not sacrifice form for function. The work table, chairs, shelves and what have you should serve their purpose and help you work better, not impede you.
Based on your work flow, invest in pieces of furniture that are both aesthetic and functional. Even though home office should be separate from the rest, it should complement the interior design of your home.
Chandra Interiors expert designers are always available to help you in your needs. Call us at +91-80-4095 3487
