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Transitioning from an office setting to a remote working position can be an exciting yet dramatic change that you’ll want to make sure you’re well-prepared for. Once you’ve concluded that working from home is the best choice for you, your next step is creating a home office that will encourage productivity and efficiency. Design a space that makes you feel comfortable and you enjoy being in. The right workspace will help inspire you to produce your best work. The following tips will help you to do just that.

Location is everything

Where you decide to create your home office plays a major role in the design of your workspace. Location determines, the size of your office, amount of privacy, natural light, how much or the size of the furniture that you buy, the amount of storage and shelving the space allows for, and maybe even the temperature of the room. Choose your location wisely and carefully.

The type of work you do should determine the size of the space you need. For example, if most of your work is done online and you have very little need for storage space such as writing or graphic design, your office could be a smaller, private space with a big window near your desk to inspire creativity.   

Outfit Your Space

You’ll also want to consider everything you’ll need to effectively work in your home office.

This includes the necessary technology, supplies, backup, organizers and storage, additional seating, proper lighting, and specialized tools.

Comfort is key

Comfort is a key factor to ensure high levels of productivity, which is why it’s a key element to be considered in your home office design. The comfortability of your space is determined by everything from seating and furniture to less obvious elements like lighting and temperature. You may not even realize how important light and temperature are until you’re attempting to get work done with an excruciating headache from the glare of those bright, overbearing ceiling lights and trying to type emails while wrapped in a blanket.

The color of your office is also something to carefully consider. The right color can make a small space feel bigger and inspire creativity. And the wrong color can give your workspace a dull, dreary feeling. Consider carefully how the colors you choose may play a role in determining your mood and productivity.

Functionality

Never sacrifice form for function. The functionality of your workspace determines how efficiently you’re able to work. For example, your space should be well-organized, and your most important supplies, files, and technology should be easily accessible from your desk. Prioritize your layout in a way that makes sense (i.e. don’t put your phone or printer on the other side of the room if you use them regularly). There should be a place for everything and everything is in its place.

Inspire yourself

Inspiration comes from your furniture, décor, and overall style of your office. Choose a theme that compliments the rest of your house. If your house has a rustic, farmhouse style, utilize wooden accents and refurbished furniture. For a contemporary, modern look, invest in artistic décor and furniture with metal accents. I recommend adding life and color to your space with plants and bold décor with pops of color. There are plenty of inspirational themes and style options for your office space.

Your home office should be a place where you don’t mind spending eight or more hours a day working in. In fact, you actually enjoy being in that particular room of your house. After all, this is better than the alternative of being crammed in an office cubicle, right? Enjoy the comfort and creativity of your personal space designed just for you.