A lot of people are now working from home. As you attempt to work at the kitchen table or while sat on your bed, you might be missing having an office environment. However, it is very possible to create an office space at home that provides you with the calm and organisation necessary for a productive working day.

Where to place your home office

Any underutilised room in your house is perfect for a home office? Do you have a spare room but no guests? Turn it into a home office! Alternatively, you could convert your loft into an office. Being in the loft distances your office from any distractions in the main house, allowing you to concentrate on your work. There are many ways you can build an attractive, functional office to accommodate the structural challenges of a loft, which can be seen in more detail at touchstonelofts.co.uk.

If your home is really tight on space – you live in a flat, for instance – it is still possible for you to have a home ‘micro’ office. At the most basic of levels, a table and chair can be placed anywhere there is a space. As long as that space is psychologically linked to being an office in your head, you will be able to work effectively there and be able to relax once work is over.

Desk and chair

The two most important pieces of equipment for your home office are a desk and chair. When choosing a desk, there are several things to consider. Will you be working from a desktop computer or a laptop? A desktop requires more storage space for the hard drive, and you can buy desks with a keyboard tray. Will you need space to store files or a printer? Do you want a separate desk area on which to study A0 plans? All are important factors when shopping for a desk.

The most important factor when buying an accompanying chair is comfort. You are likely to be sat at your desk for long stretches of time, and using an unsuitable chair could damage your health, leading to poor posture and a bad back. To prevent this, make sure you choose an ergonomic chair that supports your back. Make sure it is the right height for your desk to stop you from hunching over your computer screen.

Colour palette

Choosing the right colour palette for your home office could have a tremendous effect on your productivity rate. According to colour theory, blues have a calming effect, green is restorative and symbolises prosperity, and orange incites energy and enthusiasm – all necessary emotions to help you get the best from your work. There are several ways you can introduce these inspirational colours into your home office. You can choose to paint your wall a light green, for instance, or buy blue desk accessories. Or, to introduce more green into your office, you could always buy some house plants – their calming presence could help to stimulate productivity.