The work environment since the pandemic hit, for some, has changed, in that it looks a lot more like home now, but that doesn’t mean that your workspace needs to resemble that of a kitchen or dining room table.
Let’s talk a bit about a home office. Most newer homes have contemplated a space for an office, which is great, but what if you have two working adults in your home and the anticipated office space just isn’t big enough for the two of you (literally and/or figuratively)? Maybe you have a guest bedroom that can be converted, or you can divide a family room or basement with the strategic placement of furniture. Either way, I believe there are a few “musts” in a home office to make it a favorable space to be productive in.
First, make sure the space has adequate lighting, especially if it is in a room that doesn’t have windows. If you don’t have a large enough desk for a table lamp, standing lamps are great additions. Next, make sure that you have a workspace that is large enough for the type of work you do. If you have a whole room you can dedicate to an office space, having a large enough desk shouldn’t be a challenge, but if you are squeezing a workspace into an already established living area, this may be more challenging. My suggestion in this scenario is to find a wall hanging fold-up desk. These desks are made in many different sizes and are extremely functional, in that they can serve as a workspace during the week, and then can be folded up flush with the wall at the end of the day and on the weekends to make room for company or just to shut your work away so you can relax and not think about it.
The third thing that is necessary is a comfortable chair. This will be different for everyone. Some will like a wheeled chair with lumbar support and reclining capabilities, while others will want a stationary, straight-backed chair. Others still, may prefer a standing desk and therefore won’t even need a chair. The final thing I recommend as a must in a home office space is storage. You can achieve this through the addition of bookshelves (with baskets if you want to hide things from sight), credenzas, filing cabinets, end tables, storage ottomans, etc. Storage can help to keep you organized and make your space feel less chaotic, which I believe is extremely important in a work environment to promote productivity.
After you have filled your space with these musts, personalize your space with accents in your favorite colors, knick knacks that show your personality and photos of the special people or animals in your life. Then…get to work!!!
Sarah K. Young
