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Interior design and maximising the potential of your home office

By David McEvoy

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 14May2008 Word count: 896 Viewed: 422 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

The advances in technology over the past couple of decades has meant that it is no longer necessary for people to have to travel to work each day and suffer traffic jams and rush hours, whilst at the same time increasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global pollution. These days, more and more companies are buying into the idea that it is quite possible for staff to work efficiently and effectively from the comfort of their own home. There are also people who work from home in a self employed capacity, perhaps from a corner in their living room. Some people even run their entire business operation from a home office. So how do you maximise the potential of your home-based work space?

Obviously, there are a number of questions to answer and factors to consider when implementing a home office such as:

- What is the nature of the work to be done? Does it require a lot of paper based material or other items that require storage space or is it based online where the only requirement is a computer with access to the internet? This obviously impacts on where you can locate your office.

- Will clients be visiting your home? If the nature of your business means clients coming into your home then you need to have a clearly defined and suitable area where you can receive them.

- What space is available? Is there a room that can be dedicated as an office, is the corner of a living room or the dining room the only option, or is it possible to build an office in the garden? Use your imagination to determine the best space for you.

- You need to consider lighting. Is there adequate natural lighting or do you need to install artificial lights?

- What about the furniture? Do you have appropriate furniture you can use already or will you need to purchase new. If buying new furniture, particularly larger items, take measurements first as a desk in a showroom can look much larger when it is installed in your home. Have you a comfortable chair?

- Do you have ample electric sockets and is there a way of laying out the equipment so that you don't have electric wires trailing across the floor?

- Finally, an office space should be pleasant to work in, aesthetically pleasing and should fit in well with the rest of the surroundings

Other ways to maximise the potential of your home office involve a combination of practical tips and common sense.

Clear your desk

It is important that your working space is clutter free. An untidy desk does nothing to clear your mind and help you concentrate on what needs to be done. Keep at hand only what you need to use on a daily basis. This may mean installing some new cupboard space or shelving. You could also consider painting a small part of the wall in blackboard paint where you can easily scribble notes and reminders and avoid a build up of scraps of paper which helps preserve the environment too.

Keep your work space separate

It can be a challenge for some when they first start working from home, particularly as friends and family may feel it is ok to drop in for a visit as you're working from your dining room table or interrupt you with phone calls, which of course can take hours off your working day. If your work space looks like an office, it will feel more like one; not only to you but to everyone else too so try to have a dedicated space for your office, no matter how small.

Make the most of available space that you have. If your office is on the dining room table, then consider relocating to a corner of a room where it can at least appear as a separate area. Your office should be set up in such a way that you have everything within easy reach. For example, L shaped or U shaped work stations work very well.
You could also consider screens to separate an area from the rest of the household which will create a physical barrier between you and everyone else.

Finishing touches

The finishing touches to your office will reflect your business, your personality and who you are. You could consider plants to bring a bit of nature into the space or a simple vase of flowers. If you have a window nearby, would you prefer blinds or drapes? You could try hanging a picture, photograph or painting of something that inspires you and makes you feel positive. It really doesn't matter what the finishing touches are as long as they appeal to you.

Enjoy your surroundings

The environment we work in can have an effect on our mood and concentration levels according to psychologists so don't put up with an inadequate work space or convince yourself that you don't have enough space to make a difference. Even minor adjustments can have a big impact, not only on your attitude to your work, but also on your stress levels. Make the necessary changes and improve your work from home experience at the same time. Let's face it; we spend a lot of time at work so it helps if we are able to enjoy our surroundings at the same time.

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