Creating a Functional Home Office Space
With life throwing us a few curve-balls this past season, we still haven’t managed to set up a home office space, as the dedicated room is now being decorated to accommodate a teeny little human in a few months. This has meant that the dining table has served as an interim office, which comes with its own challenges (i.e. constantly being aware of dishes and food in the open-plan kitchen, or cats sleeping lazily on couches) that 100% do not inspire any kind of productivity.
Option B would be to actually make use of many shared office spaces available in the city, however, given the fact that exhibit A is on his way in less than four months and the fact that I’m a creature of habit, the long-term solution was to create a functional workspace using the space available.
I though I’d share the inspiration and considerations for the space below, however, when planning your own home office or workspace, it’s important to consider what kind of environment you need to be productive before starting to think about any of the other aspects of the space.
For me to be productive, for instance, I know I need a light, minimalist space that allows for some kind of flexibility (such as a couch for days I do not feel like working at a desk), lots of natural sunlight, easy access to coffee and tea and objects that inspire creative thinking. I also like neutral, earthy colours and am very aware of a space’s smells, so those things are all central to planning the space.
The photos used in this post were from my old home office back in South Africa, and I’m aiming to bring a similar feel to this space. The fact that we will not be using a room (and this applies if you are doing the same), means that the design needs to fit in with the look and feel of the open-plan kitchen and living area.
Creating a functional home office space
Apart from the above-mentioned considerations, these are a few of the most important things when putting the space together. Buying furniture for the space can be expensive and intimidating, so we are hunting high and low for more affordable options – you’d be surprised what you can get by scavenging different stores and sales. As with any other furniture in a home, it also helps a lot (style and budget-wise) to mix high-end pieces with second-hand or cheaper pieces to create a warm, balanced feel.
Lighting
Again, this is true with everything in your home. Good natural lighting is extremely important for boosting both your mood and productivity. I have chosen a spot next to the window for maximum light, but am adding a desk lamp for late afternoons when the screen glare gets a bit much and for working in the evening.
Organisation
There’s nothing like sitting down to an organised desk to jump start your day. Apart from the fact that my workspace will be in an open-plan living area, a clean desk also generally helps with keeping me focused and my mind clear.
Even if you feel more creative when there is clutter around, avoid using the space as a dumping site, which home offices can very easily become. Some good options for organisation include shelves and good, neutral coloured-folders for your documents, as well as a pretty box or basket that can be stored underneath the desk.
Style for success
Working from home can be challenging at the best of times. While it seems like the ultimate life to be able to lounge around in your pajamas all day and working on the couch, the reality is that, most times, being too laid-back can wreak havoc on your productivity and motivation. I’m literally writing this while sitting on the couch in pajamas and not feeling fresh and productive at all.
The same goes for your space. If you are planning on using it as a workspace, then style it like a workspace. Get a proper ergonomic chair and choose clean, simple pieces that will keep you motivated and productive, without compromising creativity: a few notebooks, a pen holder, a business card holder (or something less old school), a printer if you use one, reference books and guides and enough plugs for your computer, phone and other devices you use while working.
