6 Design Tips That Will Change Your Home Office

Designing your own office space is one of the many perks of working from home. Your office should be a place where you enjoy spending time, and you deserve to have some fun setting it up. Having a designated place to work from home can also help you manage your work-life balance. The key to designing a happy home office is to combine creativity and efficiency. These tips will help you set up an office that feels comfortable, but also encourages productivity.

1. Ask yourself a few questions

What kind of work will you be doing in your office? Will anyone be visiting you there? Will you need to plug in a lot of equipment or bring in a lot of lighting? Answering questions like these will help you figure out how to best set up your space. Speaking of space, pick a quiet corner of your home, guest room, or other space you rarely use for your office. It doesn’t have to be large or expansive, but it should be separate from other areas.

2. Choose the right equipment

Choosing the right desk and chair for your home office is essential. You’ll want to be comfortable, of course, but you’ll also want something wide enough for your computer and any other equipment you’ll need. Your desk may not need to be massive, but make sure it’s big enough for your essentials. Invest in a good quality chair, preferably one that is adjustable. If your work involves sitting for long periods of time, you may want to consider using a standing desk or balancing on a fitness ball.

3. Adjust the lighting

An office with good lighting can really brighten your work day. Natural light is always best, so if your office has a window, set up your desk nearby. Daylight is the most evenly balanced source of white light available. If daylight isn’t an option, set up some task lighting. This could include desk lamps, track lighting, or anything else that will help you see. An overhead ceiling light is always a good source of general lighting, while floor lamps will keep your corners illuminated.

4. Plan the perfect layout

If your office is in a small room, you may not have many options for furniture arrangements―but you can still keep your space organized. Your desk surface should have all the cups, trays, and file organizers necessary to keep everything where it needs to be. Remember, your desk and storage should serve you, not the other way around.

5. Take control of your technology

Your office doesn’t have to be spotless, but keeping it as clutter-free as possible will help you be more productive. Seeing wires hanging from your desk can be distracting, so here’s how to minimize them:

•      Get a wireless router
•      Buy a wireless printer and a wireless mouse (or better yet, go paperless!)
•      Tape any visible wires to the underside of your desk or down the sides
•      Utilize power strips

6. Add some personal touches

Decorating your office is the fun part. One major perk of working from home is designing your own space with plenty of personal touches. Doing this will brighten up your day and make you feel like you’re truly at home. What inspires you? What makes you happy? It could be photos of family and friends, inspiring artwork, or a collection of objects that mean a lot to you. Choose colors you find appealing and invigorating. After all, you’re the only one who has to love it. What makes your home office special? We’d love you to share your best tips for creating an effective workspace in the comments.   — If you enjoyed reading our article about 6 Design Tips That Will Change Your Home Office, visit appen.com/careers to see our available opportunities.