HOW TO CREATE THE IDEAL WORK-FROM-HOME SPACE
We’re a year into a global pandemic – how’s your home office holding up?
Are you still struggling, or have you been able to carve out a productive, quiet, and pretty space to work in? If your answer is no, I can help.
As a trained professional organizer, I know how to transform the functionality and efficiency of a home and how to rethink spaces.
As an entrepreneur, I’ve been operating a home-based business for several years and know exactly what it takes to work from home properly. I know I’m lucky that we have a spare bedroom that I can use it as a dedicated office space. But when the pandemic hit, I had to quickly find a quiet WFH space for my husband who needed to be on Zoom calls all day. We repurposed an old desk, used an extra window blind to create a clean neutral backdrop for his calls, and carved out an area for him in our basement. A quick trip to IKEA and we had a desk lamp and some desktop file holders, and he borrowed his fancy desk chair from work. Et voila.
Regardless of the size of your home, it’s clear that rooms and spaces are now expected to do double, triple, or quadruple duty (especially if you have kids), so, in some cases, we need to get a little creative.
We also know visual clutter has a negative impact on our mental well-being. The goal is to carve out, and create, a calm, uncluttered, highly functional, inspiring workspace that is ideal for your personal needs. Remember to inject some of your personality and style into the design – it will make you happy! Consider adding a plant because studies show that indoor plants improve your productivity, mood, and reduce stress.
Budget will dictate if you want to go with a custom design, buy new or used furniture, or repurpose existing pieces from around your house. Aside from a desk and chair (consider ergonomics), other essential elements for success include easily accessible business tools, good lighting (natural is best), a strong WIFI signal, quiet (set boundaries with family members and pets), and a Zoom-ready backdrop.
The WFH struggle is real, so here are my tips for creating an office in any home:
The Rollaway
Working in a multi-use space like a dining or living room? Stow work essentials in a portable carrier, rolling cart or box. At the end of the day, pack it up and put it away to reclaim the space and ensure that work is stored out of sight to avoid distraction during dinner or downtime.
THE NOOK
Short on space? Niches, corners, closets, entryways, and unused hall spaces, all have the potential for a compact workspace. Create a DIY office by placing a small desk, floating wall unit or shelf as a desk surface in a corner or by inserting a desk inside a small spare closet. Bifold, swing and barn doors are best when converting a spare closet into an office. Tuck a desk under a window or install a folding desk that stores flat against the wall at the end of the day. Look for space saving sleek and simple furnitureand optimize vertical space with shelving.
THE REPURPOSED ROOM
As long as there is space for a desk, a chair, and a bit of storage for office tools, any room can do double duty as an office. Look around your home and maybe your laundry room or guest bedroom could work. Consider switching out the regular guest bed for a murphy bed so that you can take over the whole room for your office.
THE ESTABLISHED HOME OFFICE
If budget allows, take your dedicated home office to the next level. Re-examine the space and consider giving it a décor and organizing refresh. If needed, Zoom-ready rooms can get added soundproofing, green screens, and lighting kits to create mini studios for professionals.
We know video calls and virtual consulting are the new normal, and that means having a professional uncluttered background that reflects your brand with lighting that shines from in front, rather than above, or behind.
Here are some tricks for creating a professional Zoom background:
Use a roller blind or curtain. Hang a blind from the ceiling or install a curtain. Either can be tucked away or moved aside at the end of the day.
Use a 3-panel room divider screen. This can be pulled out when needed and neatly tucked away when not.
Flip the desk. Pull the desk away from the wall and turn it around to face the room. Create an art display on the wall behind the desk for a stylish background that reflects your company brand or personality.