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How to Set Up Your Work Space to Maximise Productivity
Make your home office functional, tranquil and stylish with these tips
My compact work-from-home office has become a personal haven – it’s a cosy, inspirational space with up-to-the-minute technology. However, it did take time to get the right colour palette and finesse the various storage options on offer. It’s now a multi-purpose room as well as a home office where I can work productively. After all, an effective workstation could double as a homework zone, media room and even – if you want it to – a place to read a novel on a lazy weekend. Try these tactics to make your office the clutter-free, super-organised, comfortable home headquarters you want it to be.
Keep the space clutter-free
These days, a study can be virtually paper-free – and what a great way to minimise clutter in a compact space. But the more technology we acquire, the more cables we have to hide. Otherwise, an unsightly mess of cables is not just a distraction, but can also make your office space look chaotic.
Install a false back on your desk from the floor up and conceal all wires behind it, or simply feed the wires through plumbing pipe or flexible hose and tape it underneath the far edge of your desk – do whatever it takes to hide those wires away.
These days, a study can be virtually paper-free – and what a great way to minimise clutter in a compact space. But the more technology we acquire, the more cables we have to hide. Otherwise, an unsightly mess of cables is not just a distraction, but can also make your office space look chaotic.
Install a false back on your desk from the floor up and conceal all wires behind it, or simply feed the wires through plumbing pipe or flexible hose and tape it underneath the far edge of your desk – do whatever it takes to hide those wires away.
Choose a calming colour palette
Home offices are usually the last room on the decorating agenda in most houses, but if you work from home they should probably top the list. When you’re spending hours upon hours in a space you hope to feel happy, comfortable and productive, it will pay to put time into thinking about how to make it look the part.
While this home office is both simple and functional, it also has a strong design value. The white-and-blue colour palette lightens the room, while the blonde timber trims provide beautiful detail. Soothing colour palettes can convert a utilitarian space into a tranquil home office. Just what you need to knuckle down and get things done.
Home offices are usually the last room on the decorating agenda in most houses, but if you work from home they should probably top the list. When you’re spending hours upon hours in a space you hope to feel happy, comfortable and productive, it will pay to put time into thinking about how to make it look the part.
While this home office is both simple and functional, it also has a strong design value. The white-and-blue colour palette lightens the room, while the blonde timber trims provide beautiful detail. Soothing colour palettes can convert a utilitarian space into a tranquil home office. Just what you need to knuckle down and get things done.
Choose appropriate lighting
When a room has grandeur and elegance, why wouldn’t you want to gravitate towards it? Spreadsheets, files and documents can suddenly seem more appealing – even at the weekend! To make such a space work effectively as a home office, though, a variety of light sources is required. Here, the room has a mix of downlights and a desk lamp for task lighting, and a decorative pendant for ambient lighting. In a dark, moody office, a concentrated pool of light is ideal for burning the midnight oil.
When a room has grandeur and elegance, why wouldn’t you want to gravitate towards it? Spreadsheets, files and documents can suddenly seem more appealing – even at the weekend! To make such a space work effectively as a home office, though, a variety of light sources is required. Here, the room has a mix of downlights and a desk lamp for task lighting, and a decorative pendant for ambient lighting. In a dark, moody office, a concentrated pool of light is ideal for burning the midnight oil.
Plan the right layout
Everything from artworks and lighting to furnishings and drapery can give your office the warmth and personality you need to make working from home a pleasure. Experiment with desk position to see what feels right. The desk positioning in this home office means that although natural light pours into the room, there’s little reflection on the computer screen. Another bonus is that the owner is facing the door, so no-one can sneak up from behind! A home office doesn’t need to be cold and clinical – it’s the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity. Added bonus: getting dressed up for work is optional.
Everything from artworks and lighting to furnishings and drapery can give your office the warmth and personality you need to make working from home a pleasure. Experiment with desk position to see what feels right. The desk positioning in this home office means that although natural light pours into the room, there’s little reflection on the computer screen. Another bonus is that the owner is facing the door, so no-one can sneak up from behind! A home office doesn’t need to be cold and clinical – it’s the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity. Added bonus: getting dressed up for work is optional.
Create a flexible set-up
An office often needs to double up as an occasional guest room. But who wants to walk around a clunky bed 90% of the time? A foldaway wall bed is a solution that just makes sense.
Browse more multi-tasking guest rooms
An office often needs to double up as an occasional guest room. But who wants to walk around a clunky bed 90% of the time? A foldaway wall bed is a solution that just makes sense.
Browse more multi-tasking guest rooms
Get organised
A busy person is often a productive one, but only when organisation comes into play. Have systems in place to prioritise tasks, keep your inbox under control, and anticipate potential bumps in the road with contingency plans. Plenty of storage, in the form of a book case in this home office, can make life easier if you’re keen to be more organised. Files and reference books are easily accessed, and your stationery can find a home there, too.
A busy person is often a productive one, but only when organisation comes into play. Have systems in place to prioritise tasks, keep your inbox under control, and anticipate potential bumps in the road with contingency plans. Plenty of storage, in the form of a book case in this home office, can make life easier if you’re keen to be more organised. Files and reference books are easily accessed, and your stationery can find a home there, too.
Create a hidden sanctuary immersed in peace and quiet
Sick and tired of kids yelling, neighbours chatting, the TV blasting and music pumping? To be able to work in your own separate pod – such as this timber-clad unit – is a dream come true for many people who find themselves easily distracted. Don’t dismiss it as being out of reach just yet – it may be worth talking to a builder, architect or even a landscaper to see what may be possible on your budget.
Sick and tired of kids yelling, neighbours chatting, the TV blasting and music pumping? To be able to work in your own separate pod – such as this timber-clad unit – is a dream come true for many people who find themselves easily distracted. Don’t dismiss it as being out of reach just yet – it may be worth talking to a builder, architect or even a landscaper to see what may be possible on your budget.
This home office is tucked away in the garden, the full-height retractable doors allowing its occupants some serenity while they work. Would you be more productive with fewer interruptions?
TELL US…
How do you maximise productivity in your home office? Share your tips in the Comments below.
TELL US…
How do you maximise productivity in your home office? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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It’s now common for not just one person in the family to be working or studying from home, but two or more – and it’s not always practical to set up more than one room as a home office. When two people have to (or choose to) work in the same room, the best way to ensure career (and relationship!) success can be to face opposite directions. Such positioning acts as a barrier, but you can still turn around and discuss the latest work proposals… or decide what’s on the menu for dinner!
Challenges can still arise, however. If the other person is sending you crazy with loud typing, eating or phone chatting, try noise-cancelling headphones – they may be pricey, but it’s a great productivity solution. Plus, you get to enjoy your favourite tunes in peace. If music is too distracting, try playing some soothing sounds of nature.
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