In the age of COVID, many people are working from home. That means a functional and personalized home office is the second most important space in your home after the kitchen. Every decision you make about your home office, from the equipment, to the storage, to the décor, impacts your efficiency and creativity. Read on for some tips on how to maximize the potential of your home office space.

Tips for Building Your Home Office

• Choose a space that suits your needs – When choosing a space for your home office, you need to think about what you’re going to be using it for. Will you need privacy and the ability to get away from the rest of the activity going on in your home? Will you have clients visiting? Will you need space for storage?
• Choose your colors carefully – Experts agree that color psychology is very important. You want to choose colors that you like and that inspire you and spark your productivity. Each color brings about a specific emotional and physical response. For example, blues, greens and violets promote peacefulness and relaxation. Blue might not be the best for a home office as it can lull you to sleep. Purple is good for creativity. Green is a good color to promote concentration, and yellows, oranges and reds induce energy.
• Make sure you have plenty of light – Good lighting is essential to cut down on eye strain. Choose a place where you will have plenty of natural light, such as a room with a window, and better yet, a nice view. If choosing a room with a window just isn’t possible, add a floor or desk lamp. Position your computer so there isn’t a glare on the screen from an overhead light or other light sources.
• Choose homey décor – You want your home office to have a comfy feel. Choose a pretty pencil holder, a trendy notepad and sticky notes, and a decorative wastebasket. Consider hanging inspirational prints or artwork on the walls. Studies show that a welcoming environment improves productivity. An employee survey found that 83% of respondents said that artwork was important to their work environment.
• Make sure your chair is ergonomic and comfortable – Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your chair, you want to make sure it’s comfortable. You also want to make sure you have the proper support for your back, thighs and arms. Chairs vary in price, but I think you’ll find that it’s worth it to invest in a good one. (Note: Research suggests that sitting for long periods of time is not good for your health, so you may even want to consider getting a standing desk.)
• Consider how you’ll manage all of your wires and cords – No one wants to walk into their home office and see lots of cords everywhere, so consider ways to neaten them up. Clamps and zip ties are one popular way to bundle up cables to have a cleaner look. Having your equipment close to outlets is helpful in managing all of the wires. Also, consider a desk with grommets to thread the wires from your computer, printer and phone through. Another option is to encase cords in a fabric cord cover.
• Make sure your office is organized and clutter-free – Some people find it easier to concentrate when their workspace is neat and tidy. Consider floating shelves to put books, magazines and papers that would otherwise sit in stacks on your desk. Baskets on your desk will tame the mail, notes and papers as well. Additonally, you can use a vertical file folder to keep important papers within reach.

Looking for real estate services in Gainesville, Haymarket or Bristow? Contact your local real estate expert Belinda Jacobson-Loehle of Jacobson Realty and Home Staging In Gainesville, Virginia today. Also be sure to sign up now for a FREE copy of my eBook, “The Real Estate Key – What You Need to Know!”

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