How to Design a Productive and Comfortable Home Office Space

Working from home is something many people dream of. Whether you launch your own business or work remotely for another company, having the right setup can make you comfortable and more productive. Unless you’re a designer by profession, knowing how to lay out the room and what you might need requires some planning.

1. Backgrounds for Calls and Wall Decor

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, you’ll occasionally have digital meetings with other people. Creating a nice background that looks professional yet warm and welcoming is crucial.

Options include green screens and digital backgrounds, a blank wall with a few items of interest or texture on the wall in the form of tiles, wallpaper or shiplap. Choose one wall, ideally behind your desk, where you can set up a space for video calls.

Stick with neutral colors for paint and add unique splashes through interesting items hung behind you or set on a shelf to the side. Test with your computer camera on to see what it might look like to other participants.

2. Proper Lighting

Working in a dark, dingy space can impact your overall mood and destroy productivity. Make sure you have enough lighting to see what you’re doing when working. You should also add some softer lights you can use during video conferencing to soften harsh shadows.

The nature of your work will impact the type of lighting you need. If you take a lot of photographs, you may need to invest in a lightbox and find other ways to soften harsh shadows and hues.

3. Room Layout

Deciding how to lay out your home office space can be challenging, especially if you have a small space. Much of the room’s setup will depend on personal preferences. Do you want your back to the door? If not, consider where you can place your desk to see the entire room and doorway.

Consider what equipment you use most often and how to keep it in the same space. For example, if you write and print daily, you’ll want the printer right next to your desktop computer so you don’t have to walk across the room to retrieve papers.

Remember to add negative space, which can help you showcase certain objects and move through the room without tripping over clutter.

4. Noise Reduction

Most homes get busy at times — you might face kids running and playing, a partner taking their own business calls, pets barking, doorbells ringing and a myriad of other distractions. Finding ways to reduce the cacophony of noise can help you focus better.

If you have a separate space, insulate around the door with door draft stoppers and foam edgers. If your home office space is located within a room used for other things, such as a dining room, kitchen or living room, you may need to get more creative. Wear noise-canceling headphones or soft foam earplugs to block out the busyness of the house.

5. Furniture Options

What types of furniture do you need for your home office? At the basic end of equipment, you need a table or desk and a comfortable chair. Look for ergonomic options that won’t strain your back.

However, if you want to gain productivity and be comfortable doing so, you may want to invest in a sit/stand desk, a mat for tired feet and several areas you can move to as you complete work throughout your day. The ability to change positions can keep work interesting and reduce physical strain.

Also, look for furniture that can serve more than one purpose. For example, you could add a comfy couch to your workspace for times when you need to sit and brainstorm or read a report. Invest in a table that serves as a footstool and storage and flips up to reveal a workspace.

6. Privacy

Securing some privacy for your workspace is crucial to your focus. Ideally, you’ll have a separate room where you can close the door. Unfortunately, not everyone has this extra space in their homes. Perhaps your baby sister is saving up for her own place after graduating college and needs to crash in your guest room for a few months. Maybe you’re just getting started and only have a single-bedroom apartment.

Whatever the situation, figuring out how to create a separate work area can help you adjust your mindset and keep you on track with your career goals. Consider adding a divider screen to separate your desk from the rest of the house, adding signs on your office door to not interrupt while working and training those who live with you not to interrupt. Little things can make a big difference in how well your home office performs for you.

Comfortable Is What You Make It

A cozy couch with a fuzzy blanket may be the perfect setup for one person working from home, while the other would just take a nap. You have to figure out what works best to spur your creativity and add those elements to your space. Try different types of music, art, motivation posters, stress balls, moving furniture around and new floor rugs to see what inspires you. Over time, you’ll have the perfect workspace to make your productivity soar.