The world is continuously changing and our daily routines and habits are changing along the way. Internet, smartphones and a great number of Apps allow people to do their work from home. But where are you supposed to do this work within the house? For many, a home office is the answer. But how should it look like? Those questions you might ask before designing your home office.
What type of work will you be doing?
A Sales Professional is going to have different home office requirements from an architect, making this one of the most important questions to ask. Using the above examples, the Sales Professional will likely only need a desk, filing cabinet computer and phone to manage their business, meaning a small annex should suffice. An architect, on the other hand, will likely need a drafting table, desk and a computer with the array of monitors. The nature and specifics of the business will dictate office size and layout.
Will clients or customers visit the space?
A home office designed to accommodate client visits will look a lot different to the one designed just for you. If you need to meet with clients or customers, consider tasteful furniture and decoration that will promote your business and professionalism. If you’re the only person likely to see the office, you can focus on creating your perfect working environment and maybe save a few bucks along the way.
Do you need to store equipment and / or materials?
If you use special equipment or expensive technology as part of your job, think about security. You may want to consider a safe or even a home security system to safeguard your investment. Also consider if you need on site storage or you can store something off site. Sometimes, storage space might be a limitation. Those are important considerations.
Do you use a video calls and conferences?
Video calls are a remarkable way to have a face-to-face meeting with someone else on the other side of the Earth. It’s the perfect technology for those working from home. If you need to make video calls, consider a dedicated spot in your home office designed and decorated accordingly.
Have you got proper seating?
What’s the most important and valuable part of your home office? That’s right – it’s you. When planning your new home office, put money aside for a good office chair with proper support. After all, chances are you’ll be spending a significant amount of your day sitting. Your back will thank you later. A good chair will also improve your general productivity, as you’ll be able to work more comfortably. The other great idea is an office sit – stand desk. It will allow you to stand and work at the same time.
And a final thought. Your office will become an integrated part of your living space, so it should be organically planted into the environment. Discuss your ideas with the professionals that can help you to get the most out of the new trends and designs.