A great home office is needed whether you just need an escape to get a few things done, or if you’re working from home for the foreseeable future like most of us. A home office can be a whole room, a space tucked into a closet or a small nook in a guest room. With all the craziness going on, creating a space that provides an environment that is comfortable, creative and efficient to work in is essential.
I think of three things to consider when setting up your space:
1. Furniture
The furniture needs to be comfortable, have great storage and look great in your space. A space that is cluttered with broken, damaged or mismatched furniture does not lead to a space you want to be in. Look for a desk with a large surface for your computer, maybe multiple screens, papers and lots of coffee! Think about adding a standing feature, this is great for your back and gets you moving a bit. Look for a chair that can be adjusted in every direction you can imagine, lumbar, arm length and height and of course up and down. For me, I need space on a wall to post notes, pictures and cute memes. Make this your happy place.
2. Technology
The second is technology. Technology is everything when creating a functional home office. These days the biggest nonnegotiable is fast internet and easy access. For video calls, look to options like Zoom and Lifesize. Some others are Portal on Facebook, Gsuite and Google Hangouts. The list goes on and on. So, google it and find the one that works for you. Make sure your computer can handle what you need it to do. Copiers with scan capabilities are another thing to consider. These make it easy to send documents and drawings when needed -- a necessity for me.
3. Creative Space
The third is a creative space. Working from home is something people have been wanting for a long time. I feel we will all get the opportunity to show how efficient (or inefficient) this can really be. But making the space creative is key. Look to paint the walls a happy color, set up an area that has a place for pictures that inspire you. If you like to travel, add photos of your favorites or places you want to go. I created a space with pictures of all the places I want to travel after this pandemic is over. This includes one day drives, weekend getaways and week long trips. Give yourself the luxury of knowing we are going to get back to normal, and you will have so many great opportunities ready to go.
This is a three-part series and I am planning to take you into my home office before and show you the after. Just so we're all on the same page here, this is my current home office. It's in my laundry room, so it is a shared space. Keeping the desk clear of clutter is really hard, so I feel your pain.
Watch as this room comes together!