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Whether you’re going to use your office as a place to work from home, somewhere for the kids to do their homework, or even a relaxing space to occasionally surf the web, you’ll need a space that will enable you to work well and efficiently. Of course, you’ll want it to be stylish and comforting, but it should primarily be used as a space where you’re able to concentrate and be somewhat isolated. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can create the perfect working environment.
Often, the unused bedroom or a back room is used as the office. But it is very important that your office has the ideal conditions to help you concentrate. As we are sure you’re aware, you want to work without any distractions, so a place in your house that is out the way of any interruptions and ideally away from the noise of the busy road. For example, we would say a big no to the kitchen or living room for reasons we are sure you’re aware of! As well, don’t pick a room that’s too big, as it’ll most likely get used as a dumping ground!
Most of us find having plenty of natural light a must when we’re trying to work, so a room with a large window that isn’t shadowed by trees is preferable. Artificial light is just nothing compared to natural, not to mention that too much of it can damage your eyes! The dark winter nights can make it hard to motivate yourself, so a good lamp is a worthwhile purchase to get you through the dingey nights.
Your home office won’t be complete without the essential tools to do your tasks, the most important of which is a computer with decent specs. If you want to buy a computer but you’re on a tight budget, consider buying a refurbished business laptop instead of a brand-new one. You can get a unit with high specs for a much lower price. You can also buy other refurbished IT tools and hardware, such as docking stations, printers, computer mice, keyboards, monitors, and IP phones, to fully equip your home office.
While bright, engaging colours look great for other rooms, your office should really be a little more toned down and help you get into the working mood. Most people use minimalistic décor to avoid distractions and too much stimulation, whereas others might enjoy a busier room to help inspire you. If you have a job that involves a lot of paperwork and books, then we’d avoid as much clutter as possible so there’s plenty of space for your work to go. Calming, neutral colours will give you a blank canvas and evoke calming, concentrating feelings.
While a desk and comfortable chair is an obvious must, it’s worth taking the time to find the right furniture to suit your office. As previously mentioned, if you have a lot of paperwork then you need somewhere to put it and a large, spacious desk is paramount for organisation! Consider a corner desk, not only are these nice and big, but you can put your screen into the corner to reduce the risk of eye strain. Although a comfortable temptation, avoid putting a sofa in your office, a quick mid-afternoon nap can be very tempting when you’re supposed to be working! Perhaps install some shelves for those extra files you don’t use as much and relaxing plants and picture
One of the most important features of any room. You’ll need a surface that’s comfortable but also practical. Although wood flooring is a classic luxurious choice, not everyone wants to splash out on it. You can get some very impressive imitations of real wood through vinyl and laminate, which are also easier to maintain and a lot easier on the wallet. If underfloor heating is something you’ve decided on, then go for engineered wood, vinyl or laminate as they are able to cope with the fluctuating temperatures.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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