Offices, Offices, Offices

Working from home seems to be the norm for many people in the past few years ( We all know why ). But because of this we’ve noticed a trend in a need to make the home more usable and of course offices are at the top of the list.

Here are a few considerations to think through when designing your office:

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Space Planning! Ask yourself what you need this office to be for you. Is the space only for you, or does there need to be space for children to do crafts, homework etc. Just like a good kitchen layout, a good office layout is important for it to function the way you need it to. Some ideas to help you space plan could be:

a. A designated cabinet for crafts, or a kid zone

b. Office Supplies cabinet

c. Files and other items you need regularly within arm’s reach

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What Inspires you! We spend the greater part of our days working, therefore, making an office a place you want to be is key. Things to consider:

a. Wall color or wallpaper

b. Type, style and size of desk

c. Pictures of loved ones

d. Art that inspires you

Zoom Zoom Zoom! Many of us are in meetings periodically throughout the day. As a result, your backdrop is very important. Here are some Do’s and Don'ts regarding backdrops:

Do’s:

a. A gallery wall of photos and objects of interest

b. A bookcase full of books or color coordinated magazine boxes

c. A piece of Art

d. A color or wallpaper feature wall

Don’ts:

a. Have a window as a backdrop...unless you want to look like a creepy silhouette.

b. Have the “kid zone” behind you

c. Have an area of the office that is hard to keep tidy

Privacy! Do you have children schooling from home? Or a dog who barks incessantly at anyone who comes to the door? If you do, you are not alone! Here are some easy things to consider when you’re planning your office space:

a. Where is your office located in the house

b. Is there a door on your office? If so, have a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the doorknob to communicate to other family members or roommates that you are in the middle of something

c. Noise Cancelling headphones! If your office is in an open living space, noise cancelling headphones could be the trick to getting things done

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Storage! Having an office where you can at the very least, store the things you need for work. Here are some storage solutions to consider:

a. Bookshelves

b. File cabinets

c. Cabinets for office supplies

d. Bins and baskets for smaller items and supplies

Regardless of what your current working conditions are, we are all in this together. None of us are immune to the stresses involved with functioning in the world right now, so hopefully these tips can make your working life easier and more enjoyable.