Working from home is on the rise. With high-speed internet readily available and mobile devices a key staple in our lives, what more do we need to work remotely? Well, the right workspace is absolutely essential. Creating a productive home office will provide the right blend of organization and inspiration, and Beacon Homes has some home office design tips for pulling it all together.
“Home” and “office” must part ways.
You can’t expect to work well in the midst of chaos. Even having a person walk in the room can be disruptive. “Just a quick question” can derail your thought process. Your home office should isolate you from distraction. Protect your concentration by designating a room that can be closed off from the rest of the household when necessary. A flex room is ideal for a home office, but if you don’t have an extra room, create a home office in an area where you can work in peace. If you have a large master bedroom, can you spare one section?
Once you’ve established your workspace, give respect it. Don’t clutter your office with personal materials or let others use the area for a closet. Keep your workplace just for work. Then, when you’re done, step away and enjoy the rest of your home. Work-life balance is important, so give the right amount of your attention to each one.
Productivity is the focal point.
The level of your home office organization will impact your efficiency. When you can minimize clutter, you maximize productivity. So, think about the environment that is most conducive to your workflow. Are you a minimalist—someone who likes everything tidy and a clear desktop at the end of the day? Or do you work with a system that no one else can understand? Do you need a desk or will a comfortable chair and a table do the job? Maybe a standing desk is the right choice.
Be clear about what sparks your creativity, enhances your focus, and basically feeds your ability to get your work done. From organization to decor, it all contributes.
Rise up to maximize a small space.
Now, let’s organize a home office. When space is limited, use your vertical space. Add cabinets, shelves, and cubbies to provide storage up against the walls. You can customize these details to your style, going from traditional to whimsical, like boards with plumbing fixtures as brackets or attaching a cluster of new paint cans or baskets for supplies.
An armoire is a wonderful way to organize any space. Add pegboard, dry erase, or cork panels to the inside of the doors and install pull-out drawers if they’re not already included. Then, close it up so all of your extraneous supplies are out of sight.
Shine light on your work.
Do you sit in front of a computer screen most of the day? Is your work area a bit dim? Either of these conditions contributes to eye strain and headaches. Avoid the issue with proper home office lighting.
Make the most of your natural light. Place your primary work area (desk, chair, table) near a window. Not only will the sunlight provide a good source of light, but it also supplies vitamin D, which is a mood enhancer and energy booster.
When you have overhead recessed lights, install a dimmer to control the intensity. There will be days when you’ll appreciate a softer light.
Task lights are valuable for a workspace. Use a combination of table lamps, floor lamps, and even under-cabinet lighting if your work area is below a shelf or cabinet.
More inspiration
Not finding the right workspace in your home? Maybe some floor plans will give you ideas.
Our Dover may be a good option. This 2,390-square-foot, single-level home includes a study that’s adjacent to the master suite on one side and the patio on the other. How about an outdoor conference room with a view of your back yard to promote creative thinking?
The Dover also features a flex room near the front entry. This room overlooks the covered front porch, so you still have an outdoor living space to accent your home office.
The Prescott floor plan also offers a great home office space. Just behind the master bedroom in the rear of the house, the study has a private, covered patio that extends your work area. Click here for a virtual tour through the beautifully appointed, 2,000 square feet of the single-level Prescott design.
Does your lifestyle guide you to a smaller home? Beacon Homes’ Derby is a 1,679-square-foot floor plan with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 2-car garage. The flex room in the front of the layout allows easy access and privacy. We have a move-in ready Derby home in one of our Edmond communities, The Grove.
Are you ready to get down to work? Beacon Homes would like to help you combine business and pleasure under one, spectacular roof.
