Your office is your sanctuary, the place where you go to focus, be productive and do your best work. Setting up the ultimate office space that actually helps you achieve those goals takes a bit of thought and effort. Follow these tips to create a workspace that empowers and inspires you.
Choose the Right Location
Where you situate your office within your home can have a big impact on your productivity. Consider noise levels, foot traffic, access to natural light, and privacy. An ideal home office location is tucked away in a quiet corner of the house with a door you can close. Position your desk near a window to enjoy outside views and ample daylight. Just don’t sit with your back to the door—it’s distracting not to see who’s coming and going. If possible, claim a spare bedroom or basement room to keep your work life separate from your personal life.
Invest in Ergonomic Furniture
You’ll be sitting at your desk for hours at a time, so do your body a favor and get an ergonomic chair that provides lumbar support. Adjust your chair height so your feet rest flat on the floor, and your thighs are parallel to it. Your desk should also be at elbow height when seated. Add a keyboard tray if necessary to achieve proper ergonomics. Choose a spacious desk with enough surface area for multiple monitors and your other office essentials. Standing desks are also popular options now to avoid sitting for too long.
Decorating with Art
Artwork can lend personality, style, and inspiration to your home office. Hang pieces that uplift you and reflect your sensibilities. Photographs of loved ones also add warmth and comfort. One idea is to display images captured with motion cameras like GoPro. The Impossible Project helps athletes capture incredible footage with motion cameras that you could frame in your office. Add plants such as succulents or snake plants to brighten your workspace with greenery and oxygen.
Curate Your Bookshelf
Fill your bookshelves with resources, materials, and books that stimulate your mind and offer learning opportunities. Organize by subject matter or color. Add objects like awards, framed diplomas, and cool office supplies for visual interest. Aim for a selection of books you may actually reference in your work, along with some you display just for decorative purposes. Leaving some space allows for future acquisitions.
Create Zones
Divide your office into zones serving different purposes. Have a paper station near your printer with filing cabinets, supply drawers, and trays to corral paperwork. Set up a tech zone with device chargers, external hard drives, and other electronics infrastructure. A lounge area with a comfy chair facilitates phone calls, reading, and video conferences. Use area rugs and lighting to define each zone.
Minimize Clutter
An organized, tidy office clears mental clutter so you can focus. Contain paper piles in binders and filing cabinets. Store infrequently used items like extra tech gear and office supplies in drawers and cabinets so your desk surface stays clean. Use trays and desktop organizers to neatly arrange desk items. Process mail in a timely manner, recycling junk mail right away. Schedule regular times to purge what you no longer need.
Personalize the Décor
Make your office space reflective of your personality with framed photos, art, decorative accents, and personal collections. Paint the walls an energizing hue or use an inspiring wallpaper mural. Display meaningful quotes on your walls. Add a vase of fresh flowers or a scented candle for sensory stimulation. Having an office environment that feels uniquely yours will make you look forward to spending time there.
Setting up the ultimate productive yet comfortable home office takes planning, but it’s worth the effort. Follow these tips, and you’ll create a workspace that empowers you to do your best work. Just don’t make it so nice that you never want to leave! Maintaining boundaries between work and life is also key to mental well-being.
