See How Easily You Can Decorate A Home Office Retreat
As The Saying Goes “Start With The Basics”
Sitting in a chair all day with an unpleasant view or no view at all, looking at unattractive blank walls, trying to get comfortable sitting at your desk, unable to focus nor be productive is no way to get things done.
To make your home office a nice place to work, you’ll want to use these tips and plan ahead.
It’s simpler than you think.
Start off by removing everything in the space. This might sound like a big pain but it is much easier to start with a blank area and add, then it is to picture how things should be arranged or what you’d like it to look like if you have to work around whatever is presently in the space.
You’ll be amazed at what a help this is. You might also decide there are some things you thought you liked, or thought you wanted to keep, that once removed, you feel differently.
You might also think “It’s too much trouble” or “I’ll work with the colors and furniture I have”. Big mistake, unless you absolutely love it.
This area is important to your success-give it the attention and effort necessary to create the space. You’ll be glad you did.
Let’s begin…
Color: The importance of color cannot be understated. Whether you prefer a soothing, warm color pallet or simple, understated tones, you need to make sure the color fits your personality. And don’t forget to take into account the color of your furniture. There’s no point working on a black steel desk if you can’t stand the sight of it.
Light: Not only does light affect color, but it can drastically change the way you feel in your workspace. Lights can be direct, indirect, fluorescent, soft, dimmed, you name it. If you want to use a lot of natural light, be prepared for glare and cloudy days. Also, the light qualities of every electric bulb you use needs to be taken into account when placing or adding lights. Does your desk lamp cause you to squint? Does your ceiling light cast bad shadows? Ironing out these fine details can go a long way to making you comfortable in your home office.
Space: Do you like a tight, orderly space with every tool or supply within easy reach, or do you prefer a more open, flowing environment? Depending on your own needs and desires, you’ll want to ensure your workspace matches your personality,
work-style and job requirements. If you’re not sure, try experimenting with different layouts to see which suits you best.
Sound: You need to decide if you want music or other sounds to fill the background. If you prefer silence, make sure you can sound-proof your space as much as possible. If you want music, invest in a decent pair of speakers so you don’t force your ears to strain to listen.
Office Furniture: The single best place to invest rather than just spend your office dollars is in your furniture. Whatever type of home business you have the right furniture can save stress as well as physical problems.
Choose a style that is pleasing to your eye. When you look at pictures of offices or see an office environment that you like when you visit-make of note of the color and style. You will find you are usually drawn to the same style and dislike others. Then decide the layout of desk. L-shaped, corner or traditional.
Office Chairs: An ergonomic chair is worth it’s weight in gold, as it can help you accomplish more. As a home office worker you will spend considerable time at your desk, perhaps at the computer. Get a good ergonomic designed chair. This reduces strain on your back, can provide numbness or a ‘tired’ feeling in the legs and – if those two problems continue long enough could travel up the spine into tension in the shoulders, neck and head.
When the headaches start productivity falls off at a faster rate than before. By having a chair that supports your back and shoulders it saves a great deal of problems in the life of your business as well as personal life! Even if you spend $100-200 for a good chair that fits you it is money worth it long term.
Your home office space needs to be a place you enjoy being. Decorating this space is key to making sure this happens. You must at least like the colors you’ve selected, furniture you work on, chair you sit in, not to mention the spatial and sound properties of your space. Don’t’ underestimate the importance of comfort and your spatial feel of this work area.
In the end, no one can tell you what you like; you’ll have to decide it for yourself. Use our tips, take some time to plan ahead, and your office will be one of your favorite places to be, much less work.