When designing and building custom homes for our clients, it’s always interesting to see what features different people want added to their homes. There are quite a few options that the majority of people are always interested in. One of these is a home office. People use them for different reasons - a quiet place to read, to pursue creative endeavors, or for what they were originally intended for - an office at home. Whatever the reason for an office, there’s no doubt about it: it’s highly desirable to have one in your home. If you think that one could be a good fit for your lifestyle, whether in your current home or your next, read on. We’ve compiled a list of tips for designing your perfect home office!

Think about natural lighting

Setting up your home office in a place with natural daylight is a great way to help you feel more active and energized. Natural lighting is also great for your overall well-being. It helps you maintain your levels of vitamin D— a critical nutrient that improves your sleep and helps you stay in a good mood.

Find a quiet spot

If you want to be able to focus while working at home, you’ll need to set up your home office in a quiet spot. Unless you live alone, there are probably some places in your house where you’re less likely to get interrupted.

Pick the right colors

Colors can have a great psychological impact on people. Choosing the right color can mean the difference between high productivity and feeling like you want to sleep every time you sit at your desk. Different colors elicit different physical and emotional responses from people.

In general, light and airy colors are preferred for a home office. You’ll also want to use more “natural” colors, such as blues, greens, off-whites and other earthy tones.

Choose ergonomic furniture

Choosing comfortable and ergonomic furniture for your home office isn’t a luxury choice. You’ll be spending a lot of time in that office, so well-designed and ergonomic furniture is essential for your health and overall well-being.

In addition to protecting your health, ergonomic furniture will help you feel more comfortable and, as a result, focus better. Keep in mind that “ergonomic” doesn’t mean too-comfortable furniture that’ll make you fall asleep!

Add personal touches

Adding your personal touch to your home office won’t just make it feel like your workplace; it will help boost your productivity. Always surround yourself with personal items that inspire and motivate you.

This will help you get in the right mood for work and overcome some of the challenges of working from home, like distraction and noise.

Focus on your needs

The perfect workspace isn’t the same for everyone. Before you start designing your workspace — or hire a professional to do it — you should start by setting clear expectations.

Knowing what exactly you need from a workspace before designing anything will make the process much easier. Keep in mind that your needs will depend on the type of work you do.

Use smart storage solutions

Many home offices don’t have much space to work with, and that’s why smart storage solutions are a must. The right storage solution will help you keep everything you need in that workplace nearby, without making your home office look like a total mess. Not only will you not be able to easily find what you’re looking for in a messy workplace; it’ll also affect your mood and overall productivity.

With a little bit of forethought, designing your perfect home office should be an easy and fun endeavor! If you’re ready to take the plunge, give us a call. Whether you’re looking for an addition or a new custom home, we can help guide you through the process in designing your dream space on YOUR budget!