1 of 5 By Ricarda Lopez of www.RicardaInteriorDesign.com
Understanding your home office design goals, workspace, and work habits are all instrumental in creating a home office that is functional and productive, yet suits you. If you’ve ever traveled, you can understand what it takes to create your home office. Think back on the day before your last trip. You probably packed a suitcase or two, right? And how did you know what to pack? Like many of us, you probably made a travel checklist. The same process applies to creating an efficient workspace at home. It starts with a checklist!
1. Know Your Work Style: Design around your work habits or change your work habits.
What do you do in your home office? Do you need an area just to pay bills, make a few phone calls and check email? List your typical daily activities. How long are you usually at your desk? Do you have to share your workspace with a partner or with your kids? What hours are you at your office? Who will be in the house with you when you’re working?
2. Know Your Workspace: How does your workspace measure up?
If you don’t have a spare bedroom you can convert into an office, using your imagination you can convert part of your kitchen, a basement, the attic, the garage or even a closet as a central work space. Even if you only dedicate part of a wall in a room to your workspace, there are products on the market that look like look like ordinary furniture but can double to store your pc, printer, files, etc. Take that handy dandy tape measure out and start documenting measurements for the following: Room dimensions which will be useful when picking out furniture and décor… especially if there are special shapes or edges of your space to consider that can influence the layout and aesthetics of your workspace Workspace dimensions where you’ll be doing the majority of your work. The interior dimensions of closet(s) to know what storage systems can fit in your closet. Don’t forget the sizing of your windows (including the height from floor to sill) which you will use when buying various window treatments. Visit a site like www.SmithAndNoble.com for guidelines on measuring your windows.
Adjust the Volume Can you choose an area in your house that’s the least noisy? Is your room carpeted? Should you think of ways to better the acoustics in the room? How much quiet do you need to be productive? Is it worth investing in a contractor to insulate your office?
To break up the noise’s ability to travel within your room, use of carpet, window coverings and upholstered furniture which all help to reduce echoing or noise within the space. Sometimes closing the door helps or turning on a fan to create a soothing sound. An easy solution is to simply turn on some background music to muzzle the noise or get some ear plugs.
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3. Be Well-Equiped: Know What Equipment You Will Place in Your Space
Finish this equipment checklist. How do you move around while at your desk? Consider the ergonomic aspects of your equipment that helps you to stay comfortable in your work space. Does your chair swivel? Can you adjust the height of your desk? Do you like to work in one spot or the freedom to spread out in your workspace in order to get work done? Do you need more than one desk or level work space – one for your desktop, one for your correspondence / writing / ideas, etc.? Consider a lounge chair and chairs for your clients. Check Desk / Workstation Chairs Tables Shelving / Desk space Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: l: l: l: w: w: w: w: d: d: d: d: Features & Benefits Cost $ $ $ $
Let There Be Light Proper lighting can improve your productivity. Is the lighting sufficient during the hours you are at your workspace? Will you need a desk lamp for task lighting? Is your desk lamp adjustable decreasing the glare to your computer screen? Do your window shades allow you to control the natural lighting in your work space?
Window Treatments to Help Control the Amount of Sunlight in Your Room Window films help reduce the amount light, glare and heat transmitted through windows. Also, transparent shades like solar shades a type of roller shade. Blinds or shutters allow the user to control how much light they want in the room. Check Lamps & Lighting Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: w: d: Features & Benefits Cost $
Do you want your supplies at your desk? Do you have to conceal your workspace part of the time? Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: l: l: l: w: w: w: w: d: d: d: d:
Check Desk Organizers Bookcases & Shelving Literature Organizers Screens
Features & Benefits
Cost $ $ $ $
Promoting an uncluttered workspace requires adequate storage. Do you need your filing system to be within reach? Are there furnishings and equipment that perform double duty jobs? Can your filing system be stacked to make better use of the space? If you are a visual person, create storage that is easily seen and accessible. You’ll avoid wasting time searching for things if they’re within your field of vision.
3 of 5 Stores like the www.ContainerStore.com are excellent places to shop for storage items. They carry everything under the sun for storage solutions. Some of the office stores like www.OfficeDepot.com or www.Staples.com offer multi-colored hanging file folders and folders these make it easier to locate things by color. Check Filing & Storage Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: w: d: Features & Benefits Cost $
When it comes to your limited desk top real estate, what is really necessary to have (not to have) on your desk? Check Desktop Accessories Check Laptop Desktops Monitors Scanner Printer Fax Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: w: d: Features & Benefits Features & Benefits Cost $ Cost $ $ $ $ $ $
Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: l: l: l: l: l: w: w: w: w: w: w: d: d: d: d: d: d:
Think about activating a separate phone line or go with a dedicated cell phone for your business? You will be less distracted from personal phone calls. Check Phone Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: w: d: Features & Benefits Cost $
Will you be welcoming clients to your home office? How can you make them feel comfortable – chairs, cup of coffee or tea? Also, know your brand. You’ve finally broken out of the corporate lifestyle so create a space that feels more like “your home” office rather than a corporate one. Incorporate your brand personality when it comes to decorating. Can the walls use a coat of fresh paint or a more inspiring color scheme? Know what motivates and inspires you and display them. Show off your accomplishments and post things up that spur your creative side… anything that helps you get through those tough days and helps you keep moving forward. But remember it is your work space and if you are showing it off to clients, you will want to keep it business-like and professional. Check Wall Art Message Boards Wastebasket Dimensions (length x width x depth) l: l: l: w: w: w: d: d: d: Features & Benefits Cost $ $ $
Get your home office finished!
No more lost weekends running around from store to store without a clear idea of what to purchase. Get your shopping list that matches your budget and home office requirements. Discuss your project with us.
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4. Like Selling Real Estate It’s All About Location, Location, Location
Now that you know what equipment you have or will be purchasing, it’s time to ask yourself: Where do you want to place desk, shelving, filing cabinets, etc. Is a corner desk appropriate? Where are the electrical outlets for my office equipment?
Use the space below and start to sketch it out.
Need help? Ask Ricarda to create your home office diagram.
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5. Forming the Well Balanced Work Habits
Do you want to minimize interruptions? You love the concept of being a work-from-home entrepreneur because of the flexibility to create your own schedule. If you want to minimize interruptions, make a decision to set your office hours if you haven’t already done so. Set specific times of the day to take care of emails. Turn off Outlook and don’t check your emails until it’s time. If you don’t, you can easily be derailed from the more high priority tasks of the day. Sure, have your immediate necessities nearby (water, coffee, hand lotion, etc.) but take your television and snack breaks outside your workspace. It will give you you a chance to recharge. Working for extended periods without taking breaks does not allow the muscles time to recover from the exertion. If you’re a desk jockey, then you might develop carpal tunnel syndrome from the repetitve tasks or your day without breaks. Sitting in one place for long periods of time is bad ergonimics causing slowing down your blood circulation. Your eyes need a rest, too! If your in front of the computer for long hours you are likely to get eyestrain or computer vision syndrome. Stay involved. Join the appropriate online message boards and build relationships with people. Attend some local business functions and meet potential strategic partners and clients.