Ready for a new approach to your home office space?
With everyone working from home these days having an amazing home office is more important than ever.
So what are some considerations for designing your own home office?
When designing your home office you need to think about the available space, and how you want to configure it, what your furnishing & furniture options are, what kind of desk you need and what kind of chair; how you’re going to light it, and what kind of work you’re going to be doing in there in addition to making it look amazing!
Your space should reflect who you are and how you live and work so make sure to create a space that works well with your personality.
But what if you don’t even know where to start?
Have you even thought about the equipment that you will need or what you’ll need for storage?
And what about video conferencing?
Battery backup system for your computer?
Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. I’m going to let you in on all the secrets to making an amazing home office without breaking the budget so you’ll be happy and productive in your home office space for years to come!
Things to Consider in Your Home Office Design
If you are looking to build or set up a home office, then it is important that you consider the following things. These will help you design your own space and make sure that you get what you want from this room of yours. If you have any questions about these considerations or anything else related to designing a home office, join our free Facebook group Home Office Hacks here.
The Comfort Of Your Home Office
Comfort is something that needs central to your overall design considerations.
Do you like being cold? Or do you prefer having lots of natural light coming through windows?
There are many different ways to incorporate lighting into your home office. One option is to use recessed lights which come out of the ceiling. They look nice but they aren’t very bright.
Another option is to install track lighting over your workspace. Track lighting allows you to choose where you put them depending on what kind of mood you want to set.
The Location Of Your Home Office
Where are you going to put your home office? Most of the time you just default to whatever available space you have, but if you want to design the best home office you can, you need to think about where you want to have your home office located.
It can be something you set up in that additional bedroom, your family room, under the stairs, or any variety of places. I’ve even seen incredibly creative offices that are built in people’s backyard as a separate structure and they’re amazing!
In addition, if it’s at all possible, try to choose a location that doesn’t require you to climb stairs frequently. Unless that’s your thing and you’re a stair-climbing superstar, then go for it!
Storage For Your Home Office
You also need to figure out where you’re going to store all of your stuff once you’ve finished working. Here are some ideas:
File Cabinets – File cabinets are great because they provide lots of storage space.
Storage Solutions – Storage solutions include filing cabinets, drawers, shelves, bookcases, storage boxes, and even wall mounted file systems. Depending on how much room you have available, you may not need any extra storage solutions. However, if you do run out of space or simply prefer having more storage, then look into adding some shelving units or hanging files above your workspace.
Lighting Your Home Office
Another consideration is lighting.
Natural lighting is almost always best (unless you’re a vampire). So flooding your office with rays of natural sunlight should be part of your plans.
Is your office in a dark space?
When working in a dark room, you may find yourself having trouble focusing on certain tasks.
Make sure that there is enough light coming through the windows to allow you to see clearly without straining your eyes. Also, try to avoid overhead lights because they tend to cast shadows which makes reading difficult. Instead, use task lamps near your workspace.
I personally like the lighting in my home office to be subdued – I use lamps to complement the subtle natural light coming through the big window in my office with no overhead light at all.
The Space For Your Home Office
The first thing that you need to think about when creating a home office is space. You should be able to fit all of your equipment into one area without having to move around too much. This means that if you do not have enough space, you may end up moving everything out so that you can use more space.
You need enough space to comfortably work for prolonged periods of time, so you’ll need to be able to move around from side to side, stand up and sit back from your desk. It’s easy to underestimate how much room you need.
Video Capabilities For Your Home Office
In this day and age being on video for meetings, client calls, and other things is a normal part of business so you want to make sure that when you’re designing your home office you make sure that you keep this in mind.
Having a great backdrop for you to be on video is essential because you want to present yourself as the capable professional that you are.
If you do more in-depth video work then having a good camera and lighting setup will also need to be part of your plans.
Plants For Your Home Office
Having green plants in your office is beneficial for so many reasons. Not only does it make you feel better by providing oxygen and fresh air, but it helps keep insects off of your computer screen as well! If you don’t already have plants in your office, consider getting some today.
Shelves For Your Home Office
Having appropriate shelving in your office is essential because it provides additional storage options while keeping things organized. Shelves come in different shapes and sizes, so take time to decide exactly what type of shelf would best suit your needs.
Meeting Space In Your Home Office
If you are planning on meeting clients or colleagues in your home office, make sure that you provide them with adequate seating arrangements. It is important that everyone has comfortable seats where they can relax during meetings.
In addition having a table in your home office allows you to set up an informal environment for business discussions. Having a small conference table also gives you the opportunity to add other items such as books, magazines, etc., making your home office appear more professional.
Home Office Furniture: The Right Fit Is Essential
When choosing furniture for your home office, remember that comfort matters most. Choose chairs that offer good support and adjustability. Avoid overly padded armrests; instead opt for ergonomic designs that promote healthy posture.
Home Office Furniture That Fits Your Budget
Your budget also plays a big role in choosing the perfect pieces. There are plenty of affordable choices out there, but finding something that fits within your price range shouldn’t be hard.
Your Desk
Now let’s talk about the actual desk itself. What size does it need to be? How big should it be? Should it be adjustable? Is it going to take up a lot of space? All of these factors play a role in determining the size of your desk. In general, most people find that their desks shouldn’t exceed 30 inches wide by 40 inches long. That said, you can always adjust the height of your desk based on your preferences. Also, keep in mind that you probably won’t need a separate table top since you will likely only be working on documents and spreadsheets.
Your Chair
Next, let’s discuss the type of chair you should sit in. There are many different types of chairs out there but I recommend purchasing something that has wheels. They are easier to maneuver around and you can easily roll them away whenever you aren’t using them. Another option is to use a swivel chair which allows you to rotate 360 degrees. Both of these options are good choices depending on where you intend to put your desk.
Your Room Dimensions
Knowing what kind of allocation of available space you have is important because it helps you to know what you’re working with. You may not want to purchase too much furniture if you think you’ll end up needing less than you originally thought. On the flip side, if you plan on expanding later down the road, then buying extra room-filling furniture might be necessary.
Ceiling Height Of Your Home Office
The ceiling height of your home office is another factor to consider when designing your workspace.
Why is ceiling height in your home office important?
Because it affects how tall you feel while sitting at your work station. If you work in a low-ceilinged area, you may feel cramped or constrained in a small space.
For most people more open spaces feel much better and tend to help people stay focused and produce good work.
Window Treatments
Do you have windows in your home office? If so, how do you like to dress those windows? Do you prefer curtains or blinds?
Blinds tend to look better when used along window frames while curtains work well over doors. Either way, consider adding some form of light control to help reduce glare from outside lights. This could include shades, drapes, shutters, or even roller shades.
Wall Coverings For Your Home Office
If you don’t already use any wall coverings for your home office, now that you’re thinking about building a new home office now would be an excellent time to start shopping!
Wall paper adds texture, color and personality to any room. It’s easy to change things up as needed without having to paint constantly.
The Functionality Of The Available Space
It may sound weird, but thinking about the functionality of the space where you’re planning your home office is a big deal because this affects everything else. Think about things like where your desk is going to be place, how the location of the closet in that empty bedroom will affect how you lay things out, lighting, noise levels, ventilation, temperature, humidity, and air quality. These all factor into whether or not you feel comfortable at your new workspace.
Your Color Choices
Picking a great color for your home office space is crucial because you want the color of your office to inspire you and motivate you, not distract you. The psychology of color plays a big role in why different colors are chosen. Check out this post I did on how to pick the best color for your office.
Other Accessories For Your Home Office
Your home office is going to need some additional equipment, so you will want to make sure you plan for getting these for your home office.
Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse – If you don’t already own an ergonomic keyboard then you might consider buying one now as well as investing in a mouse mat. These two items will help reduce repetitive strain injuries over time.
Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3050 with AES – Black. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo. Built-in Palm Rest. Customizable Windows Shortcut Keys
- Advanced Encryption Standard AES 128-Bit Encryption. USB Compatible. Mouse Button features 5 buttons including scroll wheel button
- Built in palm rest helps support and straighten wrists
Monitor Stand – Monitor stands come in handy especially if you have multiple monitors. They free up substantial space on your desk and help prevent neck pain while sitting down and standing up.
MOUNTUP Dual Monitor Desk Mount, Fully Adjustable Dual Monitor Arm for 2 Max 32 Inch Computer Screens up to 19.8lbs, Dual Monitor Stand Fit Two VESA 75×75&100×100, with C-Clamp and Grommet Base MU0002
- Universal Compatibility: The dual monitor mount is designed for most computer monitor displays up to 32” and LCD LED flat or curved screens with VESA pattern of 75x75mm or 100x100mm, each arm supports weight up to 19.8lbs. Fit most tables with a thickness of 0.39”-2.36” or a hole diameter of 0.39″
- Universal Compatibility: The dual monitor mount is designed for most computer monitor displays up to 32” and LCD LED flat or curved screens with VESA pattern of 75x75mm or 100x100mm, each arm supports weight up to 19.8lbs. Fit most tables with a thickness of 0.39”-2.36” or a hole diameter of 0.39″
Desk Organizer – Having a place to store papers and other things such as pens and pencils will free up valuable real estate on your desk.
Power Supply & battery backup system – You never know when power supply issues will arise. Make sure you invest in a reliable power source and a battery backup system just in case.
Monster Power Strip Surge Protector with USB Ports – Heavy Duty Protection for 6 Plug-ins – Ideal for Computers, Home Theatre, Home Appliance and Office Equipment, 15 FT, 6-Outlet
- MULTIPLE OUTLET AND PORTS: Our power strip surge protector can provide protection for 6 plug-in devices with a joule energy rating of up to 300
- ULTIMATE PROTECTION: Safeguards your electronics and office equipment from permanent damage due to power surges caused by storms or outages; our power strip surge protector can also prolong the life of your gadgets
APC UPS 1500VA UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector, BX1500M Backup Battery Power Supply, AVR, Dataline Protection
- APC UPS 1500VA / 900W battery backup power supply
- 10 Outlets (NEMA 5-15R): 5 surge protector with battery backup; 5 outlets with Surge Protection Only
Network Cables & Outlets – Being able to use a wired connection instead of wireless means more reliable and faster internet speeds, so if you’re designing a new home office, then it’s a good idea to work this into your plans. Network cables and outlets are essential for connecting all of your devices together. This includes printers, computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.
CONSDAN Butcher Block Counter Top, USA Grown Hard Maple Solid Hardwood Countertop, Washer/Laundry Countertop, Table Top, Polished, Prefinished with Food-safe Oil, 1.5″ Thickness, 48″ L x 25″ W
- USA Grown Hardwood: Only made from USA grown hard maple solid wood.
- Food-safe Oil: The wood surface is finished with natural food grade oil. The countertops can be used as a cutting surface.
Printer/Scanner – Since you’re working at home you need access to a high-quality printer & scanner since you probably can’t use the one at the office.
Xerox WorkCentre 3335/DNI Monochrome Multifunction Printer, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready, Blue/white
- OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE: Black and White All-In-One that can print, copy, scan, fax and email with up to 35 pages per minute speeds, two-sided printing, 250-sheet paper capacity and up to 1200 x 1200 dpi image quality, you’ll get your prints faster
- CONVENIENCE AND CONNECTIVITY: Built-in Wi-Fi with 4.3-inch color touchscreen supports Apple AirPrint and Xerox Print Service Plug in fo users to print emails, photos and important documents from a wide range of mobile devices, without complicated setup
Speakers & Monitors – Do you need a large display up on a wall? What about needing high-quality audio? Since you’re working from home you probably don’t have to worry about disturbing your cubicle-mate with your music so turn it up!
Bose Companion 2 Series III Multimedia Speakers – for PC (with 3.5mm AUX & PC Input) Black
- High quality audio performance, with clear sound at any volume. Use the auxiliary input to bring Bose performance to another audio source such as your iPhone or iPad. Upgrade your sound and your experience with Bose Companion 2 Series III speakers
- Play an additional device just connect to the auxiliary input
Office Supplies – Don’t forget to stock up on paper products, toner cartridges, printer ink, etc.
Flooring For Your Home Office
If you are looking for a new flooring option for your home office, then you should consider laminate floors. Laminate floors are made out of high-quality materials such as wood or plastic. They are easy to clean and maintain, and they can be quickly and easily installed by professionals.
If you’ve got pets that like to hang out with you in your home office like mine do, then carpet may not be the right choice for your home office. Carpet tends to hold odors better than hardwood or tile but it also traps dirt and pet hair which makes cleaning harder. Vinyl tiles are another alternative to carpets. They tend to look cleaner and last longer than traditional vinyl flooring options.
Other Equipment For Your Home Office
What equipment do I need for my home office besides my computer, desk, printer and chair?
You’ll also want to think about what kind of equipment and furniture you’d like to add to your home office like a drawing board, a 3D printer, a folding table or a rolling cart, bookshelves, cabinets, and extra storage.
Vintage Rustic Oak Drafting Table, Top Adjustable Drafting Table Craft Table Drawing Desk Hobby Table Writing Desk Studio Desk, 42”W x 30”D
- Drafting Table Overall Dimension:42″ W x 30″ D x 36″H
- Main Work Surface: 42″W x 30″D with Built-in Pencil Groove with 24″ Pencil Ledge
ANYCUBIC Vyper 3D Printer, Auto Leveling Upgrade Fast FDM Printer Integrated Structure Design with TMC2209 32-bit Silent Mainboard, Removable Magnetic Platform, 9.6″ x 9.6″ x 10.2″ Printing Size
- Large Print Size & Auto Leveling, Small body but Large printing volume of 9.6″(L) x 9.6″(W) x 10.2″(H) / 245 x 245 x 260mm, ANYCUBIC Vyper 3D printer equipped with intelligent leveling system, accurately detect 16-point and automatically adjust the height of nozzle to platform, 1 click to auto leveling, which is friendly use for both veterans and recruits.
- Accurate & Silent Printing, Vyper FDM 3D printer Equipped with new 32-bit motherboard and high-performance Cortex -M3 architecture main control chip, enable the system to run faster and smoother. TMC2209 silent driver makes the motherboard have both silent printing and precise voltage output control, ensuring a more accurate and silent printing.
Ikea Drawer Unit, 14 1/8″ x 27 1/2″, White, Alex 101.928.24
- Particleboard
- Can be placed anywhere in the room because the back is finished
Keep Your Old School Phone Elsewhere
Few people still have them but they’re out there – land line phones shouldn’t be in your office unless they’re your business phone line. Even though most people no longer use traditional landline services, having a separate number for your home or personal phone use makes sense.
Design & Decorate to Inspire and Motivate
Even when you’re working at home, which is incredibly cool, sometimes it can get dull and boring and we can’t have that!
Make sure to design & decorate your home office to inspire you and motivate you.
This means decorate with awesome posters, and pictures; paint your walls a color that will motivate and inspire you; surround yourself with things you love.
Artwork always makes a great addition to your home office because it adds personality and character. If you’re not an artist, try finding some online resources where you can find inspiration.
Your space should reflect who you are and how you live. So make sure to create a space that works well with your personality.
Don’t Sacrifice Form for Function
Functionality is great, but if it gets in the way of you doing your best work then it doesn’t need to be there. Think about your overall workflow and the things you need to have handy at all times. Once you know what those things are THEN find stuff that looks great that provides the needed functionality so that they can provide utility AND look great at the same time.
The Bottom Line
As you can see from this article, designing a home office isn’t all that difficult. Just follow our tips above and you’ll soon have everything you need to create a functional workspace.
Next Steps
If you want to get more great ideas for your home office and connect with other home office hackers to make your space the best join my free private Facebook group, Home Office Hacks here.