Working from home has a lot of benefits, but there are also some drawbacks. One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of a physical office setup. While you can technically work from anywhere, it can be difficult to separate work and home life when you’re at home. To help you create the most productive home office layout, here are 11 tips for creating the most productive home office layout.

Identify Your Workflow

How you use the space most frequently should be your first consideration when designing your home office, as this will have the biggest impact on how productive you are. Are you a designer or artist who requires a sizable workspace on which to work? Do you work from home with only a modern desktop computer with no other office supplies?

Do you need a home office that is close to the kitchen because you test recipes? You’ll be able to figure out how to arrange your office once you’ve decided where to put it and what kind of furniture it needs to function properly.

Get Rid of the Clutter

Having piles of paperwork on every surface is a visual and mental distraction. If you’re prone to accumulating clutter, keep surfaces and other areas that are likely to collect it to a minimum. Instead, choose a straightforward home office design that will be less distracting and more conducive to productivity.

Make a Flexible Layout

Whether you take on new responsibilities in your current position, are promoted to management, or start a new job at a completely different company, your professional needs are constantly changing. Making a flexible home office setup that can change with you and your job is a smart idea given the dynamic nature of the workforce.

Installing a bed that can double as a guest room or other multipurpose space when you aren’t working, or choosing light, minimal furniture that is simple to rearrange when necessary, are two flexible ideas for your home office.

Ultimately, you want to design a home office that offers space for flexibility and movement. In this way, you can make changes to your home office without spending a lot of money on a major remodel if you change your mind later.

Add Office Accents That Inspire You

Your likelihood of using your home office increases as you grow to enjoy working there. You won’t be counting down the minutes until 5 o’clock if you create a space that makes you happy. each day. Personalize your workspace by including family portraits, original artwork, or other practical office accessories. 

Make Sure Your Home Office Has Enough Lighting 

If your home doesn’t have enough natural light, it can make your home office difficult to work in. Invest in a light that can be moved around to suit your needs. If you don’t have a light in your home office, consider investing in a desk lamp or table lamp.

You may also consider using fluorescent or LED lights to improve the lighting in your home office. Keep in mind that you want to make your home office as comfortable as possible for you to work in, so good lighting is crucial.

Prioritize Comfort

Smart interior design is essential for productivity because it reduces the likelihood that you will fidget or get up while working from home. For your health and productivity, it’s essential to have a comfortable office chair—ideally one that is ergonomic and won’t cause back pain over time. Another choice for enhancing comfort and posture is to think about a standing desk with a rubber foot mat.

Partition Off Your Home

Not all freelancers have the luxury of a spare room they can use as their only home office. If space is at a premium, think about creating a comfortable home office that won’t interfere with the rest of your living needs by dividing a larger, more open space (like a living room!). An easy way to do this is by adding a simple room divider or by setting up a distinct frame in a room corner.

Consider Your Storage Options Very Carefully

Productivity and organization go hand in hand, and even more so when designing a modern home office. When planning out your storage space, take into account how many documents and other office supplies you’ll need to systematically tuck away.

If you deal with a lot of paperwork, you might want to ensure you have a filing system set up. If you work mainly with digital files, you can probably do without a file cabinet and instead use stylish drawers to store your office equipment, supplies, and other necessities. A big part of reducing unneeded distractions is keeping clutter and accessories out of sight. 

Keep Your Focus on the Task at Hand

Even though some people might consider a desk calendar to be antiquated, keeping track of your meetings and making a daily to-do list will make you feel more in control and less scattered. Whether you use a digital calendar or an old-fashioned pen and legal pad, keeping all of your tasks organized is more important for productivity.

Bring the Outside Inside

If you find that nature inspires you the most but your job keeps you cooped up indoors for the majority of the day, think about bringing in a variety of houseplants to your home office to green the area. A little bit of greenery will not only improve your mood but also lower stress and anxiety, according to science. After all, a less stressed employee produces more work.

Pick Your Wall Color Carefully

There is no set rule for what paint color you must use, even though the right white paint does indeed brighten any space.

Perhaps you run your own small business or product line and need wallpaper and other fun accent walls to change photo backdrops. Or perhaps you’re a creative professional who requires a color scheme that incorporates vibrant pops like orange and yellow to feel inspired.

Takeaway

Finally, how you design your office space should reflect your needs, wants, and intentions for how you intend to use it, so creating a productive home office space that caters to your personality is critical.

If you’re still stumped on how to create a home office that best meets your requirements, you might want to consult with an interior designer to help you come up with additional design concepts for your particular space. Elle Design Co in Wichita, KS is a great place to start if you’re looking to remodel your home office without spending a lot of money or to update the lighting and space to make it more comfortable for you to work in. Start by checking out our website for ideas on what you could add to your home office to make it more comfortable and conducive to working in.