Learn how to set up a home office. How to organise and design a modern office with all the necessary furnishings.

Since the pandemic entered our lives and forced us all to be housebound, many people have found that they have no adequate place to work. Are you one of these people? At AreaZero 2.0, we want to help you with a few tips. Take note!

Design your home office

Teleworking is here to stay, and more and more people need to adapt their homes to be able to work comfortably and with the same level of productivity as in the office. However, a common problem for most of society is that households are generally smaller than desired. Unfortunately, not everyone has the space for an office at home, isolated from the rest of the rooms, and this can turn into a real nightmare.

Let’s get started; it’s time to make some changes to the décor!

The first thing to keep in mind is that the following tips are generic and that the most important thing is to let loose your creative side and give it your personal touch.

Choosing the space where the office is to be located

If you can’t set up your home office in a dedicated room, our recommendation is to find a space that is away from transit areas, televisions, etc. This way, you will avoid certain distractions.

If you choose an alcove in another room, there should be enough space to fit the desk, chair and a few drawers, and very importantly, if you are in doubt about which room to put the work area in, think about which room is used the least at the times you usually work.

Lighting

Ideally, it should be naturally lit, or at least as close to a window as possible. So keep this point in mind when choosing a location.

If you do not have a place with natural light, you will have to use artificial light. If this is your case, instead of using a single lamp, it is better to position several lamps to provide indirect light. Above all, be careful not to shine light directly on the computer screen, so that you are not disturbed by reflections.

Colour

Remember that you are going to spend many hours in this space, so it is best for you to feel comfortable. This is why it is important to know how to choose the right colour, as it plays a fundamental role; The colour you choose can greatly improve comfort and productivity levels.

For example, using a blue colour palette helps to increase productivity, while green tones are perfect for boosting your energy levels. On the other hand, if your work is physical, colours like orange and red can energise you. Yellow, on the other hand, stimulates creativity, but can also cause eyestrain.

Chairs

The choice of chair is a crucial decision for your new home office, as you will be sitting for a long time.

Your work chair should be comfortable, adjustable and breathable, so that you don’t sweat too much in the hotter months. The chair should also keep your back straight at all times to avoid strain and postural problems.

Consider the following basic rules for your home office:

• The computer should be in the middle of your desk.
• The monitor should be about 40 centimetres, with the top edge at the same height as your eyes.
• The table should allow you to rest your wrists and forearms. Note that the keyboard should be at a distance of 10 centimetres from the edge closest to your body.
• Keep a power strip near your desk, so you can plug in the electronic devices you need.

Organising your workspace at home

Chances are you don’t have enough space, so it makes sense to be a stickler for tidiness. So when arranging your home office, think carefully about how you are going to store everything you need for your work.

You have different options for storing all the computer material:

• Cupboards: you can take a cupboard from your home and use it as an organiser.
• Chests of drawers: writing materials, pens, staplers, all the things you use on a daily basis are best stored in a chest of drawers near the desk.
• Side tables: for the printer, tablet or any other device you need.
• Shelves: here you can store books and files.

Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that seeks to balance energies, thus having a positive influence on your daily activities. If you want to follow the principles of Fen Shui design at home, you must take into account the following:

• Don’t put your home office desk against the wall.
• Use natural wood furniture.
• Use glass furniture.

Tips for working from home

Most often, a person with a home office ends up spending more hours than necessary at work. To prevent this from happening, there are a few things you can do:

• Put plants and flowers: indoor plants can remove toxins from the air.
• Go for a walk from time to time.
• Design your office with the things that inspire and motivate you.

So, now do you know how you’re going to decorate your home office? Share it with us!