When making plans to fit out your home office, there are a number of important factors that should be taken into consideration. By thoroughly and carefully planning you home office fit out, it should be possible to create an environment that is both comfortable and conducive to long spells of intensive work. In the following article we will be examining a few ideas on how to tackle a few of the issues that are commonly associated with working from home:
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1. Liveability
The chances are that you will be spending a great deal of time in your home office. It is for this very reason that you should endeavour to make it as liveable as possible. Brightly coloured walls could prove to be uncomfortable on the eye and possibly even a cause of fatigue. Whites that have a hint of colour are far easier on the eye and much more conducive to concentration. Beige is also a suitable colour for most office environments.
2. Natural Light
If you are starting your home office fit out from scratch, be sure to choose a room in your home that receives plenty of natural light. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time in this particular space, so it is of the utmost importance that you do not end up in a gloomy environment. A room that is heavily reliant on artificial light for illumination would be unsuitable for long spells of sustained work. If possible, choose a room with a large, north facing window and position your desk as close to it as possible.
3. Lamps
Of course, not every form of artificial lighting is necessarily bad, and no matter how much natural daylight is able to enter your room, you will still require illumination in the evenings. Table and desk lamps are preferable to overhead lighting, which tends to be harsh and lacking in warmth. A few carefully placed lamps could help to create an interesting and intimate environment in which to spend lengthy periods of time.
3. Creative Storage
Most home offices tend to be rather small and cramped, making the need for creative storage a very important one. If the room that you intend to be using as your home office happens to have a closet, why not fit it out with shelves as a discrete and effective means of storing your documents?
4. Think Ergonomic
Comfort is probably the most important consideration when planning any home office fit out. If you are not sitting comfortably, you will not be able to work effectively for very long. Do yourself a huge favour and splash out on the best office chair that you can afford. Always ensure that your arms are parallel with the floor when using your keyboard. Both feet should be flat on the floor, meaning that short people might need to fix up a platform of some sort.
5. Greenery
A scattering of potted plants could quite literally bring your home office to life. Plants tend to make people happy and help to bring a feeling of outdoors into any closed space.
6. Comfort Zone
If you have space to spare, try to create a comfort zone where you can step away from your work for an occasional break without actually leaving your office. If you have room for one, a fully adjustable armchair could prove to be a wonderful addition to your home office.
Summary
With a little forethought and planning, it should be possible to create a home office that is a pleasurable and productive space in which to conduct your business operations.
I think there are two essential things when fitting out any office space, comfort, and lighting. I find it much easier to work when I am comfortable. It helps me deal with stress and I love the idea of having a place to step away from work in the office. Anyone who has worked long days knows how important this is. I also work best when I have natural lighting. It warms up the space and makes it more comfortable. Not to mention it helps me get my vitamin D.