More Torontonians and GTA residents than ever before are now working from home, whether full-time or part-time. Even as COVID restrictions have eased up and we’ve gone back to a sense of normalcy, many companies have allowed employees to continue working from home. While some miss the ambiance, teamwork, and connection of in-person working, many others love the independence, enhanced opportunity for productivity, and saved time that working from home offers.
Whether you’re working from home full-time or just a few days a week, the experience is greatly enhanced by having a work space you love. A successful home office or home work space will keep you motivated and energized, promote productivity, and offer inspiration. It needs to be functional and also beautiful. It should also reflect the design sensibility, quality, and comfort of the rest of your home.
Here are our top five tips for creating a home office you’ll love.
Find a Prime Location
You’ll likely spend hours and hours in your home office, so try to find a nice location for it rather than squishing a desk and chair into a windowless closet or the corner of your bedroom. If you have a rarely-used guest room, can you convert it into an office? How about a den? Is working in the kitchen realistic, or would you benefit from a space that’s a bit more tucked away and quiet? If you have kids at home who you need to keep an eye on, perhaps setting up shop in the under-utilized dining room makes most sense for you.
If you can, try to put your home office in a space that benefits from natural sunlight. It’s also essential to consider the space directly behind your computer, as you’ll be looking up at it often. Placing your desk against a window is optimal so you’ll have a view. If you’re in a windowless space, hang something inspiring on the wall (like a photo or painting you love, or a cork board filled with things that make you smile) or position your chair to face the door.
Consider Both Function and Beauty
Your home office must be functional – think a desk with ample space for your work and storage space that realistically meets your needs – but it should also be a space that matches the rest of your home’s décor and that’s comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Go beyond a basic desk and ergonomic office chair by incorporating artwork, beautiful furniture pieces, and unexpected accessories to liven up the space and make it reflect your personal style.
Tame Your Technology
A home office can easily be overrun with wires and cords, unsightly printers, and other technological necessities that aren’t exactly the most attractive. One of the easiest ways to tame these items and to keep your office space looking clean, uncluttered, and beautiful is to hide all cords. This can be easily achieved by using fabric cord covers, feeding the cords through grommets to attach them to the bottom of your desk, or stashing cords in a stylish cable box (like this one). Bulky items like printers can also be concealed in attractive shelving or behind cupboard doors.
Opt for Inspiring Colours
Think about the colours that help you feel motivated and inspired. Go beyond beige or white walls and pick a colour that you’ll love being surrounded with while you work. Some people may gravitate toward bright, vibrant colours like yellow, orange, and green, while others will prefer a calming shade like Benjamin Moore’s 2022 Colour of the Year, October Mist. Need some help? Check out this Psychology of Colour article to learn more about how different colours can affect our mood.
Have Some Fun with It
Again, your office doesn’t need to be all function – it can also be a place of fun and joy. Fill it with little details that will make your workday more enjoyable, whether it’s a vase filled with fresh flowers, beautiful notebooks and pens, a stylish mug to hold your pens, a decorative waste basket, lovely candles, a chic desk lamp, or a few plants.
Do you work from home, and if so, do you love your home office? Connect with BAZIS, on social media (Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and let us know!
BAZIS is proud to offer Pre Construction and New Condos for Sale in Downtown Toronto. Learn more about our current projects!