As work from home becomes a mainstay in the new era of jobs, might as well set up a cool office.
Working from home is the new norm. Even before the pandemic, many of us have jobs that would have allowed us to work from anywhere. Yet the corporate structure that has long dominated this country said otherwise. We shuttled to an office everyday or jetted to meetings around the country. We shared a communal kitchen where stale coffee and the smell of microwaved fish were commonplace; even though they shouldn’t be, especially the latter!
Of course there are pros and cons to just about every situation. The new work-from-home protocol has plenty of pluses and minuses. Many people have reported that without the distraction of coworkers and meetings, they’ve doubled or tripled their efficiency. Almost in the same instance, not getting face time with those valued coworkers has its downsides, generally from a collaborative standpoint. While Zoom is a great tool for some meetings, it’s not the same when you’re trying to bare down on a project with one or two other people. Human interaction is irreplaceable.
So as we settle into a new era of work, there are certain elements to consider. Namely, where will you work at home? Do you already have an office or do you need to set one up? The following tips on how to create a cool home office can help you whether you’re starting from scratch or a work-from-home vet. You never know what little updates can enhance the whole experience.
Splurge on a Comfortable Desk & Chair
Comfort is defined by many things. In a home office, where you’re going to spend the majority of your daytime hours, comfort comes in the form of a good chair and desk. Modern desks and chairs are built with ergonomics front of mind. Now more than ever, manufacturers are catering to the home office worker. Chairs that promote good posture and desks that transition between sitting and standing are easier than ever to find.
It’s not uncommon to start your day and before you know it four to six hours have flown by without you having stood up once. Anyone with the slightest notion of what constitutes a healthy routine will tell you this is the opposite of ideal. Just be sure to get out of the office and move around from time to time.
Let Lots of Light In
If you’re building a new home, work a lot of windows into your office’s floor plan. If you already have a home office and would like to enhance the lighting situation, increase the power of your overhead light and get some lamps. A simple floor lamp in the darkest corner of your office is a game changer.
Light is related to overall health, including your mood. So don’t let long days in a dark office affect you in a negative way when the work day is done. A little ways down the list we’ll suggest a west-facing window for those who are getting ready to build a home.
Work With the Wall Space
Work with whatever available wall space you have to add some taste to your home office. If you’re a hunter, a deer head never disappoints. Even more so, birds. Waterfowl and upland game mounts look so classy. And they’re smaller so you can place more of them around the room.
Sports memorabilia also works well. Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, whoever you pull for, put up a couple of prints from big games that are meaningful to you. Music posters can also add a colorful touch.
Music
There are so many online apps that play music. Spotify subscriptions are inexpensive. There’s also Pandora, YouTube, and a host of others.
If you want to add more character to your work space, a record player near your desk can help you create a cool home office. The records alone are an art collection that serve as both room enhancements and conversation starters. That is, if you ever have anyone come over for a meeting.
West-Facing Window
A west-facing window is ideal but by no means a necessity. If you’re getting ready to build a new home, you may include into your floorplan that your home office be built on the southern or western portion of the house. This way you get plenty of sunlight! Plus, if you like watching the weather, a west-facing window will give you a good vantage point to watch storms roll in.
Mini Bar
For when the day is through or that rare face-to-face meeting. Need we say more?
One of the biggest considerations for a home office is comfort. We can’t overstate that. You don’t want to find yourself working, sitting all day in a chair that gives you bad posture. And not that we’re advocating for longer hours either. But the home office is a place where you should want to spend the work day. If it’s uncomfortable or unpleasant, you may find there are many, many distractions that can cause you to fall behind. It’s all about finding a balance.
