PERFECT HOME OFFICE IN YOUR OWN HOME
Find ideas on what the perfect home office looks like in your own home in our blog post: Which desk, chair and lamps to choose and how to integrate the space perfectly into your home by utilising the existing space and making it homely and cosy.
Over the last few COVID-19 months, many of us have been working from home and facing a completely new work culture. While the initial reaction was often enthusiasm because we save so much time that we would normally have spent commuting between work and home, after a few weeks we notice a difference: working from home is sometimes not as efficient as working in the office. The reason for this is that very few of us have a home office set-up that provides us with everything we need to work in a focussed, creative and efficient way.
The following tips will help you to create a workspace in which you can achieve full concentration and maximum efficiency.
OWN SPACE
Most of us probably don't have an entire room for our home office or guest room that we could remodel. But here's the good news: you really can utilise any unused space in your home. If there is no spare room that you can dedicate to your home office, you can use the spare room and remodel it. Alternatively, you can use the empty space between two walls or under the stairs to create a nice working environment.
There are often "dead corners" in the living room or bedroom that offer enough space for a small desk and chair. Remember: there is almost no space that is too small. Just get creative and challenge your imagination!
Tip: If you integrate your home office area into the living room or bedroom, you can use bookshelves, sideboards or screens to separate the areas. You can also use wall paint or carpets to visually separate the two areas.
MATCHING OFFICE TABLE
Especially if you are integrating a home office corner into the living room or bedroom, you should pay attention to aesthetic desks that don't scream "Work!". Either choose desks in the same style as the rest of your furnishings that blend in perfectly, or set accents - for example, by choosing desks in a contrasting colour or material.
Make sure that your desk has enough space for all your work equipment (screens, keyboard, scanner, etc.) and is at the right height for you. If you don't have a large screen and only work with a laptop, you can buy a laptop stand to avoid neck pain.
COMFORTABLE OFFICE CHAIR
Ergonomic sitting is essential if you work long hours in your home office. A wooden kitchen chair would probably cause back pain within the first few weeks and should not be seriously considered as an office chair. Instead, choose your chair wisely. Ergonomic office chairs are often not the prettiest, but they are by far the best option to keep your back healthy. If your home office is integrated into your living area, consider a nice chair that is comfortable and ensures a healthy sitting position. There are many options available, ranging from stylish office chairs to upholstered dining chairs and armchairs with a high seat height.
LIGHTING IN THE HOME OFFICE
Good lighting conditions can make all the difference. With sufficient daylight and a good mix of indirect and accent lighting, you can concentrate better and become more creative and efficient.
Make sure that the place where you set up your home office has sufficient daylight. Daylight is crucial for concentrated work and helps to avoid eyestrain. Place your desk near the window - ideally on the left or right, depending on whether you are right- or left-handed. Install a ceiling light for ambient lighting. Add a desk lamp to illuminate your work area on the desk. Add some indirect lighting on shelves or install wall lamps. You can also add a floor lamp and table lamps to light up the entire room.
STAURAUM
A nice and tidy working environment helps you stay focussed - so storage furniture such as shelves, chests of drawers and drawers are perfect for hiding away all your equipment. A sideboard is also perfect for creating a home office space that feels more like living than working. To hide small items, you can opt for a desk with inbuilt drawers.
Tip: You can even store technical devices such as scanners and printers in cupboards and sideboards. Just make sure that they have a small hole at the back for the cables. This will make your home office look even tidier and avoid the technical touch that is typical of normal office spaces.
MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE
As we spend most of the day in our home office, it's important to add some accessories to make it feel cosy and warm. Home textiles are the perfect way to create cosiness and a homely atmosphere.
Add a soft cushion to your office chair to support your back and serve as decoration at the same time. A warm and fluffy rug also makes the room cosy and keeps your feet warm in the cold season. It also helps to visually separate the work area from the surrounding living space. Curtains on your windows are another option that make the room feel warmer and are perfect for bringing some colour into the room.
DECORATION IN THE HOME OFFICE
Accessories such as murals, a beautiful vase with flowers or a single leaf or a scented candle give the home office space a personal touch and create a contrast to work. A mood board is also a good way to connect work with personal stories and bring some colour into the room. This makes work more enjoyable and helps you to get creative.
Don't forget plants! They are perfect to add some green spots to create a dynamic look, but they also increase productivity by up to 15%! Choose decorative plants such as monstera, peace lily or ficus to brighten up your desk and drawers. Hanging plants such as ivy or pothos are perfect for high bookshelves or can even be installed in macramé hanging baskets.
TIDINESS AND CLEANLINESS
Your home office space should always be ready to present itself to guests. So keep it tidy and remove clutter from surfaces and shelves. This will help you stay focussed and work from home as efficiently as possible.
Tip: If you don't want to invest in storage furniture, you can also use decorative baskets and boxes that you can store in bookshelves or sideboards. Rattan and wicker baskets create a warm and cosy look and serve as storage space for papers, books and all the other things you want to keep out of the way.
