How to design home offices

Home offices often need to be designed with limited space and resources to create an efficient and comfortable workplace. On the other hand, you have complete control over design issues to make sure that they meet your personal requirements and preferences. If you are contemplating a home office project, read further for information on how to design a home office.

Functions and resources

Work pattern Start with reviewing your work patterns: nature of work, storage requirements, need for other workstations, prospect of entertaining clients and visitors and equipment required in terms of printers, scanners, copiers and phones. Available resources Ideally, the location should not disturb other home activities. If you have sufficient space on your property, you can choose modular buildings like garden offices. Modular offices allow sufficient flexibility in new construction at reduced costs. If you have only a room to spare, it can be furnished as an office room. Tight budget and space resources need not discourage you and you could even create a home office which serves other functions at different times of the day. You can save costs by using existing furniture pieces like dining chairs, chests, cabinetry or bookcases.

Furniture layout

Intended functions will guide you on furniture requirements and adjacencies. Make a sketch plan for furniture layout. Locate home workstations close to a window for natural light and views. Check for glare on computer monitors. When you are seated, you should have easy access to frequently-used items like reference books, telephones or printers. Ensure that all services like power supply and network cables are provided for and support the proposed furniture layout. Check the layout, considering overall circulation and linkages to the rest of the house, including amenities like pantries and toilets.

Storage

Consider future growth projections when planning for storage. Home office storage solutions should consider both storage capacity and organisation. Keep your home office well-stocked with office supplies and hardware extras to prevent emergency trips to the market. In case, your home office is in a limited space, you can rely on in the garage or hallway and limit the storage within the home office room.

Comfort and décor

Comfort is vital for both health and efficiency. Ergonomic furniture is a worthy investment and you should test it personally. Desks for home should have sufficient workspace. Desks for computer use and other computer furniture should have provisions for cable management. Lighting is important and should be designed for both ambient and task-lighting. Home office décor allows better interplay between professional and relaxed looks. Pick designs which reflect your style. Glass workstations are popular for small offices since they appear light. Keep comfort and work efficiency as targets when designing home offices.