Regents Real Estate Brokers

PRACTICAL MAGIC

Creating space for a home office

By Connie Sutton

For the first time in history, large numbers of the working public are adjusting to the fact that home, a place typically reserved for unwinding and recharging, is now a place for concentration and productivity too. Whether you’re a regular remote worker or this is a new transition, a functional space to work is essential.

Working from home without a designated workspace can make it difficult to tune out the daily distractions of household needs. Establishing a work zone will help you regain that focus. Everyone who works from home needs some form of designated workspace, but not everyone requires an office in the traditional sense. Enter the practical magic series, which includes tips for creating a more functional space in your existing home. Choose the right space

Your workspace options range from a garage, basement, attic or spare room to a closet, or even the corner of a room. If you live in a small space or shared space, be prepared to think outside the box and get creative with your options. An unused hall closet can make a perfect office space if you remove the doors and add a desk. Or, you could add a drop-down desk to the bookshelf in the living room corner. Before you set up the office, take stock of what you need to work productively then compare your must-haves to the available spaces. Remember to consider the needs of other household members. You don’t want the home office in the living room if that’s where your family tends to congregate during the day. Consider ergonomics

Choose a desk and chair that are the right size and height for your body. Your home office setup should be comfortable and ergonomic. If you work full time, you’ll be spending 40-plus hours a week there. If you take shortcuts here, you could end up with long- and short-term problems. To keep your mind and body supported throughout the day, keep your computer at eye level. Work with your forearms parallel to the floor when typing and keep you back in an upright position. Let there be light

Make sure that your work area has enough light. An important aspect of any home office is access to good lighting. Preferably natural light. Sunlight improves your body’s vitamin D levels which directly correlate to happiness, so place your desk close to a window if possible. If you don’t have a space near a window available brighten your workspace with lamps. No matter where you place your workspace, make sure the positioning allows for even lighting without glare. Get creative with storage

Many home offices don’t have much space for storage, but it’s important to have all the supplies you need nearby. To store supplies try dividing up drawers, repurposing jars, hanging hooks, or adding shelves. Height is your friend here, as long as you can still reach it, keep moving up to maximize your storage space. Remember to regularly clean your space and keep your desk free of clutter. Messy can quickly become the new normal but tidy spaces help keep your thought process clean and driven. Set boundaries

Creating a home office is as much about attitude as it is about content. Your family needs to understand that working from home still means working. If your office is in a part of the house where your family/housemates regularly gather, be sure to explain your need to disengage while working. Don’t allow people to pop in and out of your space to chat or ask questions. Set boundaries with the people you share the space with. You need to balance the needs of your home and the needs of your work while making a space that’s purely professional.