Among homeowners, there is a growing need for office space. Teleworking positions are becoming both more common and increasingly sought after by employees, with the home becoming the ideal location for professional pursuits over alternatives such as coworking spaces and cafes.
Home offices, however, can’t be easily conjured. A residential property is one generally reserved for personal comforts, with residents enjoying their home as a place of respite that allows them to escape from other pursuits, such as professional tasks. To bring professional work into such a personal living space can cause several problems, ultimately hindering the benefits of both.
To ensure that your home office is integrated effectively, in a way that promotes productivity and a harmonious balance between personal and professional living at home, here are the fundamental tips for a home office design that promotes success.
Steer Your Attention
Those who try to perform their job role in a shared or multipurpose living space will soon realise how easily distractions can occur. It is the primary reason why office spaces should be created in distraction-free environments, such as spare rooms or log cabins. By doing so, residents are able to have better control over their attention.
When designing the room itself, residents should be sure to consider the direction of their attention. Being by windows can, for example, offer a comforting view but, at the same time, be a source of distraction with noise. Other assets, such as digital devices, can also compete for attention and should be kept elsewhere or obscured from immediate view.
Don’t Cut Comforts
Having control over an office space means that there’s no need to settle for uncomfortable office chairs or desks that aren’t accommodating to work styles. In fact, a home office should be designed with comfort in mind as an individual’s stamina for mental tasks and ability to concentrate over the course of a day is significantly influenced by the comfort levels of an environment.
Many experienced remote working employees also attest to the value of adjustable desks and standing desks, those that allow for different positions to be assumed at different times of the day. Such refreshing of one’s position can help to keep the mind stimulated and the body more active.
Separate Your Environments
The most important element of a home office is its ability to be separated from personal space. As mentioned in the introduction of this article, the divide between personal and professional space is important as it prevents burnout. Individuals who fail to create a suitable divide between the two spaces will often find themselves unable to relax at home, distracted by their professional obligations. Vice versa, working in an environment that is associated with relaxation can encourage distraction and loss of performance.
To optimise a home office space, it should be contained, such as within an outbuilding or spare room. This way, at the end of the day, a door can be closed, keeping professional obligations from infiltrating the atmosphere of a comfortable home.
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