I love working from home! The home office designs that we have incorporated into my working space really work. The idea of working from home is not just a trend started during the pandemic. Building a suitable home office isn’t just about creating a workspace for today but about futureproofing your life at home.
We are really lucky to have a large space in a separate room for my home office. It’s very important that my working from home space does not take over the whole house but that I’m also not completely isolated when working. So, what should you consider when thinking about home office design that work for you?
What home office space have you got available?
I’m very fortunate to have a selection of areas in our home that I can work from. The most obvious option was the spare bedroom but I really didn’t want to be isolated from the whole family. The reason I do my job (s) is to be here when the girls get home and if I’m stuck up in a quiet bedroom, this defeats the object.
I do cope fairly well with every day household noise though and my children are older now. If they were still tiny, I would probably find it difficult to concentrate and have to go somewhere quieter. If your home has a loft, it can be a perfect spot for an office. Lofts are often underused and tucked away from the bustle of the household, offering the peace and quiet you need to focus.
The light in my office space is really good (occasionally a bit too bright but curtains help with that in a morning) so I don’t feel I’m reliant on artificial light all year round. I have friends that work from home with no windows – there’s no way I could cope with this. I need to see outside space.
Will the space be needed for other uses?
We used to use this space as a dining room and had a huge dining room table behind where I work. This worked to some extent as we never ate in there during working hours but I did feel that I didn’t escape that room after a full day of work. Happily, we now have a different dining room space that works just as well.
Consider investing in an adjustable desk, which allows you to change its height so you can alternate between sitting and standing. I’ve been waiting for mine to arrive for months now – I really want to be able to work from both sitting and standing positions.
Loft spaces can make brilliant home offices. I’ve seen some that have wonderful window views to the world. If your loft has been unused for a while, however, you may need to address potential spider infestations. Spider control products can help clear out any webs or unwanted eight-legged roommates, making the space more inviting and comfortable.
Confidentiality
My family wouldn’t be that interested to mooch around any of my work papers but we still instilled in them how important confidentiality is in the home office.
My work laptop has a password as it would in a traditional office space and I try to be paper free as much as possible.
For zoom calls when sensitive information will be discussed, we keep the doors closed and the gang know not to use the kitchen behind me. This really is the only sacrifice that we’ve had to make which seems small considering the benefits of being able to work from home.
Home Office Decorations
I wanted my working space to be practical, professional, neat but still look like a home. Decorating your home office is more than just a chance to make it visually appealing. A well-decorated office can motivate you and make the hours spent working more enjoyable.
My navy blue wall and selection of my favourite family photographs on display are some of my favourite parts of our home. My bookshelves are to the left of me so I can have a short break and dream about the next book I’m going to read, then back to business.
I hate printers and cables so store my printer under my desk. It takes a little bit of manoeuvring to get it out but I don’t need it often enough to warrant having to have it on display.
I cannot see a time when I won’t want to work from home. My office space really works for me and hopefully the girls have felt I’m still here for them and present when they need me.
