HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
HOME SWEET OFFICE
Are you one of those lucky individuals able to work from home? The world just seems
like a nicer place when you’re dressed in your pajamas, doesn’t it? But work is still work.
You need a place that’s organized, designed well, and in which you feel comfortable.
Chances are, you may also need a degree of privacy to do your best work.
One of the most overlooked factors in productivity is lighting. Many studies
demonstrate that natural lighting is best whenever possible, and results in more
productivity among workers and a more positive attitude toward the work itself. Lighting
can have a profound effect on your mood and can even influence your hormones.
If placing your home office in an area with windows is not possible, try the soft lighting
of a lamp instead and try to avoid harsh fluorescents. Adding a silk plant or two, along with
a picture of the outdoors, will help to transform a windowless area into a more inviting
space. Warm colors such as reds, yellows and orange will also help warm up an otherwise
dark office area such as a basement.
Next, you’ll want to design your workspace with cabinetry where office supplies and
files can be tucked neatly out of sight. Shelving that is custom-designed for the way you
work can transform even a tiny space into an efficient work area. Having cabinets and
shelves that are suited to your exact purpose will eliminate a great deal of frustration and
overwhelming feelings of disorganization. A designer and expert carpenter can help you
get the most from your workspace.
Just because you don’t have an entire room in your house to dedicate to your home
office doesn’t mean that you can’t have a dedicated workspace. Even a closet can be
transformed into a workspace with the right planning, and the whole office can be put
away at day’s end by simply closing the closet door.
If you have even less space to work with, try a wall-mounted desk that can be extended
when in use and can collapse flush with the wall when it’s not. Cubby holes built into the
interior wall area can also provide places for storage in a tight space. A creative builder can
help you make the most of your available space.
If your office is not separated from the rest of your home and building a wall is not an
option, there are still attractive ways to define your workspace. For example, tall wooden
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