In the aftermath of multiple COVID-19 lockdowns and the ensuing ‘Great Resignation’, two thirds of Australians have continued to work from home, at least part of the time. For some of us, that means the dining room, the couch, or the guest room has had to do double duty as a home office. This may have seemed like a good idea at first, but after months of meetings, endless emails, reports, and deadlines, you might be finding it challenging to separate your living space from your place of work. That’s why you should have a designated home office; a space that’s designed specifically for organised work. Keep reading for some home office styling tips to help you design a workspace you love.
Benefits of a proper home office setup
Working from the comfort of your couch or bed with your laptop propped up on a pillow might sound cosy, but after some time, you might find that you begin to associate your living areas with work. Creating a proper home office set up can create a distinction between the spaces in your home that are meant for ‘living’ and the room or area that is designed for work. With this setup, it’s easier to train your brain to concentrate on work while you’re in your home office, and to focus on personal pursuits when you’re elsewhere. Thus, having a designated work space can increase your productivity while limiting the time you spend thinking or worrying about work.
Our Byron 2 Drawer Office Desk
If you live with a partner, family members, or pets, a home office can also reduce the noise and chaos in your surroundings, creating an environment that is more conducive to focused work.
Pick the right space
Alright, you busy worker bees. Let’s choose the perfect space for your home office.
To calm your mind and boost motivation, select a low-traffic area or room in your home that is quiet and free from distractions. In other words, far away from the TV room, family room, and kitchen.
Your home office should ideally have at least one window. Multiple studies on worker health and performance (like this one) have shown that exposure to natural light can increase productivity and short-term memory, boost mood, and regulate sleep-wake patterns. Suddenly that promotion doesn’t seem so far away!
Finally, it’s important to take wifi and/or phone reception into consideration. Keep your desk within optimum range of your router for work days that are frustration-free and flow efficiently.
Our Cannes 2 Drawer Office Desk
Selecting a desk and chair
There are a few important considerations when it comes to choosing your office desk and chair. You might have your eye on that gorgeous teak roll-top, but is it right for you? Consider the amount of space you’ll need on your desktop to store files, stationery, and other equipment. A desk that’s large enough to organise all your essentials neatly is key to maintaining an orderly work environment and a clear mind.
To ward off aches and pains, you’ll want to choose a desk and chair that are size-matched and help to maintain good posture. An ergonomic chair is ideal for those that spend the majority of their working week sitting, while a padded fabric chair with a high back and armrests is a perfect budget-friendly choice.
While comfort is key, style should also be considered. After all, one of the home office benefits is that you’re able to create a fun and inviting space. Aim to choose high-quality pieces that offer durability while complementing your interior aesthetic.
Choose your layout
The layout of your home office is an important component of your room’s functionality. If you’re working within a smaller space, ensure that you have enough room to move around your workspace and pull your chair out from your desk easily. Keep all your essentials close by, whether that includes filing cabinets, a printer, or reference materials. In some cases, floating shelves or a bookshelf may come in handy. If your home office is spacious, incorporating one or two armchairs may also be useful for meetings and Zoom calls.
When defining your layout, consider the lighting options available to you. If your room has one or more windows, position your desk to face them. This will avoid glare from your laptop or computer screen while still providing you with exposure to natural light. Alternatively, if your space is illuminated with artificial lighting, ensure at least one light source is positioned close to your desk to avoid eye strain while working.
Why not have a desk and bed in one?
Accessorise and personalise
Now for the fun part. Creating a workspace at home opens up a world of stylistic possibilities. Gone are the days of sterile business colour schemes and bland office furniture. Make your home office a place where you’re enthused to work by including personal touches and decorative elements that speak to you. For instance, you can brighten up your desk with family photos or a stylish table lamp. Or, make your office nice and cosy by incorporating cushions, a throw, and a rug.
It can be helpful to start by choosing a theme or style (for example, traditional, boho, or French country). Then, choose complementary pieces that work within your budget. For a home office that stands the test of time, steer clear of trends and fast furniture brands, and choose high-quality furniture and accessories that have been designed and crafted thoughtfully.
Shop our latest home office range
B2C Furniture has everything you need to turn your home office ideas into a reality. Explore our range of modern, functional office furniture, and create the workspace of your dreams!