Make Home Office Work As Comfortable As Possible
You may have to work from home, but you can still be comfortable while you do it.
Creating an air of professionalism is a top priority for many people who work from home, but the office is still in your home, and you want it to look good and feel welcoming.
Here are a few tips for making a home office functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Having an office door in your home office will help your productivity by putting you in the "at-work" state of mind, and will let any children in the house know the office is not a play area.
If you're short on space and want to use the office area for other purposes outside business of hours, post a sign on the door indicating when you're in work mode.
Cords that snake around the floor are an eyesore and a potential safety hazard, so try bundling and labeling computer wires and power lines before tucking them under a rug or behind your desk.
An ergonomic chair and keyboard are also worthy investments, since your desk is where you'll likely spend most of your time.
When it comes to decorating the office, matching a desk chair to the desk and any couches, side tables or other furniture will give the room an organized feel and convey the message that you're capable of planning.
Pick colors that are bright and stimulating, but do not distract you from your work.
Try to stick to one color scheme - mismatched furniture can reflect negatively on the way you conduct business.
If buying a set of new furniture isn't in your budget, liquidation sales and craigslist offer used office supplies that won't drain your bank account, and then you can afford paint to give your "new" purchases a uniform look.
While looking professional is key, don't be afraid to add some of your own personality - that's the beauty of working from home, as opposed to in a corporate office.
Plants, tasteful artwork and an occasional splash of vibrant color will truly make a home office your own.
Other groups are also trying to change their approach to office decor.
City officials in Gastonia, North Carolina, decided to use a vacant office building as a workspace for local artists.
The officials will lease a floor of the building to artists, who can use it as a shared gallery and studio, The Gaston Gazette reports.
Creating an air of professionalism is a top priority for many people who work from home, but the office is still in your home, and you want it to look good and feel welcoming.
Here are a few tips for making a home office functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Having an office door in your home office will help your productivity by putting you in the "at-work" state of mind, and will let any children in the house know the office is not a play area.
If you're short on space and want to use the office area for other purposes outside business of hours, post a sign on the door indicating when you're in work mode.
Cords that snake around the floor are an eyesore and a potential safety hazard, so try bundling and labeling computer wires and power lines before tucking them under a rug or behind your desk.
An ergonomic chair and keyboard are also worthy investments, since your desk is where you'll likely spend most of your time.
When it comes to decorating the office, matching a desk chair to the desk and any couches, side tables or other furniture will give the room an organized feel and convey the message that you're capable of planning.
Pick colors that are bright and stimulating, but do not distract you from your work.
Try to stick to one color scheme - mismatched furniture can reflect negatively on the way you conduct business.
If buying a set of new furniture isn't in your budget, liquidation sales and craigslist offer used office supplies that won't drain your bank account, and then you can afford paint to give your "new" purchases a uniform look.
While looking professional is key, don't be afraid to add some of your own personality - that's the beauty of working from home, as opposed to in a corporate office.
Plants, tasteful artwork and an occasional splash of vibrant color will truly make a home office your own.
Other groups are also trying to change their approach to office decor.
City officials in Gastonia, North Carolina, decided to use a vacant office building as a workspace for local artists.
The officials will lease a floor of the building to artists, who can use it as a shared gallery and studio, The Gaston Gazette reports.
