It is usually small and cramped. It somehow forces you to change out of your pajamas and put on a more appropriate(ish) outfit. Bingo!
It’s your home office, I’m sure you know. That hub of remote working that so many have to deal with. The one place in your house that can still separate your work life from your personal life.
There may not be a perfect home office setup, but you can still make it as close to perfection as possible with some creative ideas.
If in doubt, go for a Cubicle
Have you ever seen a painting studio in a closet that is fully-fledged?
I do! When I visited my friend in Sydney, she and her husband used to live in a tiny apartment. Her husband was an artist, and her studio was a simple wooden closet.
You might be able to skip this tip if you have a large house with many rooms.
You’re probably a little closer to the hobbit’s hole if you are here. (No offense, Bilbo!)
The ideal setup for a home office will be based on the assumption that you have a separate office room you can equip with a desk that allows you to stand and sit.
Many of us live in small spaces and don’t have the perfect room that can be used as a guest room or office.
But don’t despair! Take a corner of your garage or basement (or living room or kitchen!) You can transform a corner in your basement or garage (or even your living room or kitchen!) into a workspace.
Install a divider or curtain to prevent your family from forgetting you are at work.
Noise-canceling headphones are your best friend.
You can get some natural lighting (without glare )?
If you do not have to use a room like a hobbit hole in the basement, then your dedicated workspace is likely to be located in an extra room.
This spare room is either too dark or too bright and warm during the summer heat.
In Australia, the majority of people will be dealing with this issue.
Can tint your windows to reduce glare and make it cooler in the office. Tints can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays and reduce your energy bills.
What if the light is too dim? It’s not enough to rely on the lighting. Window tints will only make the situation worse.
Enter lamps! A floor lamp will not replace a desk lamp. Although it may be more intimate and cozy, the eye strain will still occur.
Have a seat – or not?
Sitting or not sitting isn’t our only dilemma.
There is a middle way that works for many home workers who have back pain.
If you are a regular sitter, and your back is not affected by it, don’t hesitate to invest in a good office chair. A standing desk will work just fine, particularly if you work only part-time.
Standing desks have another benefit. Standing desks are usually only big enough for your laptop and an external monitor. They may also have a docking station and surge protector.
There is no room for endless piles of office supplies
Comfortable but NOT Comfy
You don’t need a chaise lounge in your office setup unless you are a therapist.
You might even FEEL that you NEED one. If you do, it could transform your home office into a chic and small lounge.
You don’t have to give the hungry ghost of procrastination another reason!
What’s comfortable but doesn’t encourage you to nap?
What’s the best chair for you? You can relax and enjoy the chair, but you will be reminded that you are in a working environment.
Let the shelves float.
The filing cabinet takes up lots of space you could use for other purposes.
Why not consider using floating shelves?
They are not only cheaper and easier to build than a regular file cabinet but also more stylish and minimalistic and will keep your office from becoming a dumpster in merely a few weeks.
They can be used to store office equipment you don’t need every day.
