How to create the perfect home office space

I remember the first study area I have created while renting a small room shared with my boyfriend a few years ago. I have squeezed so many types of furniture including my big desk, wardrobe, and double-sized bed. I knew then how important was to have that dedicated working space. It’s fun to work from a sofa or a comfy bed but having actual desk space is more important.

I worked for the past 2 years as a workplace consultant and designed many spaces from big call centers to small law companies’ offices. The home environment can be the most inspiring but yet the most destructive of your work if is wrongly designed. Watching pretty desks and home office inspirations on Instagram or Pinterest maybe can help you to go style but loads of them are not quite functional spaces. There is often too much clutter, a very unhealthy choice of seats, etc.

I am so lucky, that I have now perfectly designed and functional working space! My desk is from IKEA. It was separate legs and top. Most items, like lamps or wire shelves, are from eBay or charity shops. my desk cost me like £10 for my legs and I used an old top I already had so it wasn’t expensive at all. There are a few really important factors you need to know when designing your own home study/work area. The space is very important. It needs plenty of natural light and the voice level needs to be fairly low. Whether you live in an apartment blog, a house or even in shipping containers ( which are very popular lately adapted as an office space) this post is for you. Here I show you how can you transform any space into a cozy home office environment, even if your office s in your garage or attic too, it doesn’t matter- most important is how you adapt the space to your own needs. As a workplace consultant, I designed many spaces and you can adapt any environment into a functional office space.

The importance of colours. This is super interesting. If you want to create your workspace and perfect home office in an already occupied room, like me for example in my living room or bedroom, think of the existing colour layout. You do want to maybe re-think if you need to perhaps change the colours of your walls? My desk is mainly white with the touch of oranges and green plants as these colours energize me and help me to add this ‘kick’. Colours in a work environment can help you focus, but also relax and be more productive. The psychology of colours is incredible. Colours can play a huge role in emotions and concentration. For example, despite my orange touch is a positive and energising colour, it also can easily distract me so I need to be careful not to overuse it. There is this popular monochrome in Pinterest and Instagram images of home office ideas. Despite that I love it myself, I would be very careful as it may create boredom and you won’t be able to finish your work as you will be getting constantly tired. just black and white can be good if you spend only several hours in front of the computer but if you work longer, think if adding colours that evoke more emotions.

Having something green like a plant or lamp etc. can add some calmness and relaxation. I would avoid purples and too much black, of course, leave these colours for the bedroom. What I like, is the commercial office furniture. It is amazing how smartly we can use furniture design and fabrics in an office environment to make people more productive, improve wellbeing and collaborations between staff. I love the idea of bringing these smart solutions to our homes. Like for example using office screens as a great way to create a little bit of privacy along with multitasking use. Some of the office partitions come with finishing materials that can be used as magnetic boards, writing boards but also has highly acoustic functions. In my home, my home office is in the same room as my kitchen and living room, sharing a wall with a dining table. A divider is a must, plus it can be a great way to add decorative touches too. I know these are different from your home office, but it’s really good to sometimes look into successful companies’ case studies, to see which colours they using for their collaborative areas and which for focused areas. I think taking the inspiration from commercial office interiors to home interiors can really benefit. I am lucky to have knowledge of both!

Whilst I absolutely love my home office set up, some days if I am struggling to concentrate or need a change of scenery, hiring a coworking space for a day can give me just the inspiration and invigoration I need to get cracking! There’s just something about the buzz of other people that just snaps you out of a mental block!

The right computer. You need to think of the exact computer you need. Before I bought my Dell laptop I have done so much research, ask everyone around. Don’t just rely on guys in store as they often get commissions of selling some items so bear that in mind and just speak to your friends, fellow students, work colleagues, etc. My dell lasts over 5 years and I have run Autocad, photoshop and other many heavy software. now I have shaped for Mac, but only because I had to switch to iMovie. Try to make prons and cons whether you after a laptop or PC. I take my laptop everywhere. Also, My dell had a changeable cover so I had a really pretty design on it.

Natural light. You do want your desk as close to the window as possible. You have to determine first whether your room is facing north or south etc. so you won’t get sun shining straight on your screen, whether your room has blinds etc. again, as with desk, it’s worth to re-arrange to make sure you do get loads of natural light as is healthier and believe me you will be far more productive than working with poorly light.

The Right desk lamp As much as important is natural light, you should also think of the right desk lamp with the right light bulb voltage. I prefer daylight LED light bulbs. Of course, a stylish lamp will also bring an amazing feature to your desk, but think functionality first! Summertime is great for daylight but during a winter it gets dark really quick and you will have to switch on your desk lamp.

Desk size. When you buy a desk to try to think not only about the colour or size if it fits your room but also if the size is really what you need. Try a very simple exercise. Gather all the work tools you need including your laptop, sketchbooks, notepads even the decorative accessories you wish to have. place the arrangements in front of you and try to reach them. does all your book have space, if you reach for a pen, will knock other items on the way? no, great! Even if you have to re-arrange the layout to place the desk somewhere else is worth to do it!

Helpful accessories and storage. You have probably read my spring shelf post about extra storage I have created for my room by now. Also, I got this vintage metal crate from a charity shop that created that extra storage I need as well. What I am missing is a proper notice board, as I have so many prints, inspiring notes, and things to remember, and I am used to having a notice board at work next to me so, at home, it’s something I really want! Great office accessories like this can be found at online office furniture suppliers like Office Monster for example. I also have storage boxes from HomeSense that I can just place against the wall and use magnets so my prints won’t get damaged. I also have storage boxes from HomeSense where I keep all my crafts. I didn’t want to add too much furniture or too many cabinets but HomeSense has so many amazing storage options that make everything look super organized.

Make it personal. Despite that your office is in your home, does it not make it personal. Having your own goals written, whether via notes, personal pictures or maybe your own DIY displayed? Keep something that is important to you on your desk and, believe me, it will help you to stay focused and be more driven. I am totally motivated by my Mapiful personalized map with a word I have also tattooed ‘Imagine, Believe, Achieve. I have map representing Paris. This inspiration comes from when I was a little girl and I wanted to go to Paris, and I knew this is a dream only and I will never be able to achieve it. Until actually when I was 16 I went to Paris. My first life goal achieved!

Yes, clutter. I think this is pretty obvious that clutter can distract. Personally, I can’t do any work if I have messy home or desk. Every single my task list includes decluttering and general cleaning. this article is more if office interior again but it may give you a little more ideal Ink article

Seat comfortably. the last thing is your chair. I know all the pretty Vitra Eames replicas or ghost chairs looks pretty awesome but honestly, these are dining chairs, designed for kitchen or occasional seating, not for 8-10 hours comfortable seat. I know Instagram is always amazing with ideas but here, you need furniture that are functional and supportive. Be smart, and chose a chair with higher back and softer cushion seat that you can really seat comfortably and not end up with back pains and future health problems. Remember home office it’s not about looking perfect like from Instagram, it need to functional.