Are you planning to add a home office to your home? Whether your home office design will be located in an annex, a small bedroom, or just the corner of a room, there are a few essentials you will want to consider when creating a productive workspace at home.

If you spend the full work week there or even just a few hours, it’s important that your home office be a comfortable and inviting place to spend time and to get your work done efficiently.

Here’s our essential tips for creating a beautiful and practical home office design:

LOCATION IS KEY

Home offices come in many different shapes and sizes. It can be in a separate room, a quiet corner, or even in your kitchen. The key to selecting the right place for your home office is to think about where and when you do your work.

If you are a busy mom, a kitchen desk area may be the ideal place for your central command post. However, if you’re a professional, you’ll want to select a space that’s away from the daily flow and distractions of your household.

ALLOW ENOUGH SPACE

Make sure you allow enough space to work comfortably. Ask yourself if you will be able to move easily from side to side, stand up and sit back from your desk. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s easy to underestimate how much space you need. To avoid this, use the same key measurements professional designers use to lay out a workstation – allow at least 150cm in width and 210cm in depth.

SELECTING A DESK AND CHAIR

Choosing the right desk and chair for your home office is essential. Select a desk that is wide enough for your computer and anything else necessary to do your work. This could be an in-tray, reference materials, or space to take notes. Ideally, your desk should 120cm wide minimum. However, if all you ever need is a laptop you can get away with less. Most people find 150cm wide or larger to be the most comfortable. While an adjustable-height desk is ideal it’s not always practical in a home office setting.

Choose a desk that is not too high – 70-75cm is an acceptable range. Invest in a good-quality chair that is comfortable and adjustable if possible. Your neck and back will thank you later!

STORAGE AND SHELVING

Storage is often overlooked when designing a home office and can really affect your productivity. Make sure to include enough shelving, filing cabinets or cupboards for your storage needs. Consider your workflow – what comes in, where will it stay while being worked on, and where does it go when complete? Place your inbox on or next to your desk. Keep your current work within arm’s reach. Locate your filing system nearby. Don’t forget reference materials – if you use manuals, catalogs or reference books, locate a shelf near your desk to keep them close at hand.

NATURAL LIGHT AND VIEW

Good lighting is critical for any home office space. Choose a location with some natural light and a view if possible. Position your desk to face the windows or in a location where your computer screen will not be affected. Translucent window shades or blinds can help reduce any glare without darkening your room. You can enhance natural light by including a mirror and by keeping most of your walls a light color.

At Closets Unlimited, our skilled designers can see potential in the most unlikely places in your home. The box room you thought too small to be useful; a quirky ante-room, an unused area in your dining room, these options are all brimming with opportunities. All of our bespoke furniture designs are carefully considered and beautifully designed to meet your exact requirements and made-to-measure to fit your space, so you benefit from a home office that works as hard as you do.

To learn more about Home Office Design, please visit our dedicated page here: Home Office Design Dubai

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