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Last Updated on June 23, 2022 by Work In My Pajamas
Working from home does have a long list of advantages, but if there’s one area where some may feel that they miss out on, it would have to be the feeling of being in a professional environment. One could argue that the lack of that feeling is what makes working from home so great, but even then, it does help to have a little space in your home that would allow you the privacy and sense of professionalism required to concentrate on the actual work.
Keep in mind that this isn’t the same as just taking your laptop in an empty room in the house and starting to work from there; this is more about transforming a space in your home into something that closely resembles your work culture.
Paint and Redecorate
If there’s a room or some space in your home that’s not being used at the moment, it’s time to use it, but only after some substantial painting and redecorating. It is important to understand that unless your home office actually looks and feels like an office, the entire idea would be pointless. Hire professional painters and decorators to discuss ideas and figure out a plan that suits both your concept and budget.
In terms of the color palette, try to stick with shades of white or gray. Get a proper office desk in, alongside at least two office chairs. Install the necessary facilities such as a printer/copier/scanner, a reliable Wi-Fi connection, and whatever else that you think would be ideal for the job that you do. Do not be afraid to experiment a bit with the decorations and add a little bit of character to the space. After all, it is your office and it should represent not only your work but you as well. A few family pictures and a couple of your favorite paintings can totally work.
Lighting is of the Utmost Importance
Nothing impacts the mood of a place more than the lighting, so as in every other room of your house, proper utilization of light is very important in your home office too. Make good use of the natural light that is available to you by making sure that the desk is close to the window and not in a dark corner. What’s the point of escaping the cubicle culture if you spend your day cooped up in a dark corner of the house? Make the best of both worlds and take in the view outside every other minute as you work. However, once it starts to get dark, you should have a few strategically placed soft table lamps that will keep things alight. Fit them with a dimmer switch to stop the light from ever getting too harsh.
A Place for Taking Breaks
An office is a place for work, even if it is in your home, so it should not resemble a bachelor pad with large screen television, gaming console, and sound system. Instead, fit it with subtle things that actively or passively help you to relax, such as some small plants on the windowsill, a nice comfortable, easy chair for you to take breaks in, and maybe a few books and magazines.
Even though these tips should help, you will probably not get everything right on your very first attempt, and that’s okay because it’s your personal home office and you can take as much time as you need to create that perfect space which you will love working in.
