There’s nothing like the possibility of a 4 week lockdown to whip you into finally setting up your home office. Five years since we moved into this house and my dream home office has become a dumping ground, warehouse, store and anything else you can think of!! But honestly gaining use of this space in this period has saved me, organized me and helped me stay focused. It’s been transformative! Big thank you to my home help Queen for helping to cart what seemed like endless suitcases and boxes out of that room! I have not been able to transform it into my dream workspace yet due to the lockdown situation but as I think about my plans to do so I thought it would be good to share tips on how to create a home office space that works for you to create a fabulous home office space to inspire and get those creative and innovative juices going.

Location

In the past I used our dining room table as my workspace which served well when no one was at home! The location was not great because of the traffic flow of movement around the house. You may not have the luxury of having a dedicated room but consider a space where you can work without disturbance if you live with other people, perhaps a guest room could double up as a workspace. If your work is light it may be an advantage to work in an open space, maybe to watch over the kids but you do need a private space for virtual meetings or work that requires high concentration. And if you live alone you can create a workspace in your general living space.

Balance Form And Function

Make your home office fit your personality and interests. Without the confines of a corporate setting, you can create a space that inspires you to be productive and creative. The goal is to design a place you look forward to working in each day. Your desk, shelves, and storage should serve you, not the other way around. Consider your workflow and what items you need at your fingertips before investing in furniture, and then look for pieces that are both beautiful and functional. Home office furniture should complement other rooms in your house instead of screaming “soulless cubicle.”

Ergonomics Is Important

I literally removed my precious work chair from my office home….after all I would be out of the office for a while! Research shows that people are most effective with a work surface and seating at the right ergonomic height. You will spend hours parked in your office chair; a beautiful, ergonomically-correct, comfortable seat is worth every Naira! Also Consider foot rests, ergonomic mouse instruments shaped to fit your hand and soft keyboard pads that allow rest and relaxation for the wrist. These all enhance the work experience and make your time at work less stressful to your body. The goal is to make work comfortable for your body and to support the areas of the human form that are brought into play with the work you do.

Colour

Colour may seem like trivial consideration but the psychology of color is real. Certain colors elicit emotional and physical reactions and responses from individuals. Color impacts mood and energy levels. Therefore, be aware of the psychological impact of the color you choose for your home office. Find out more about how certain colors can affect your mood.

Storage

Many home offices aren’t swimming in square metres, so using space efficiently is imperative. Hang a good shelving system on the walls to get papers and office equipment off the desk. Your desk will likely be the place where you spend the most time. Consider the myriad of options available for organization of papers on your desk. What is essential for productivity is an organized desk that keeps pending work in order and prevents the chaos of disorganized piles.

Position Your Furniture

Always aim for the “command position,” which enables you to see the door as it confers a feeling of empowerment. If the only option is to have your back to the front door, place a mirror on the wall in front of you so you can see the front door in the mirror. Position the desk where you can stare at something more interesting than a blank wall (when you glance up from the computer. A window’s natural light is ideal, but if you’re in a windowless space, hang an inspiring piece of art in the viewing direction. If you don’t have any art come to the next iDESIGN Art event!

Lightning Consideration

Good lighting is essential. Ensure your office has plenty of light to cut down on eye strain and headaches. Ideally you want as much natural daylight as possible. If your space has a window, it will enhance the lighting. If no daylight is available, a combination of general and task lighting will be required. A high-quality task light will be essential for late nights or cloudy days. Ensure you position the computer monitor so there’s no glare from a window or overhead light and put a small lamp on the desk for task lighting.

Working from home demands a new work style and tempo — one that balances the need to serve your clients, collaborate with teams virtually, stay connected to colleagues, and carve out time for focused individual work. I hope the above tips have helped in creating the perfect space for our new normal : working from home.