7 Tips for Making a
Home Office Work for You
  "Working from home" is a concept that Americans have gotten used to and even enjoy. Surveys show that more and more people work at home at least a few hours a week. But what you need in a home office depends on whether you run a home-based business, bring work home regularly, telecommute a few days a week or simply need a place to put your laptop to pay household bills.
In fact, with the Metro DC area having one of the longest average commute times in the country, the idea of working from home gets more and more appealing all the time. The most important trend in home office style is that it works for you while you're working. Here's what we mean...
1. Pocket office. The trend toward smaller or multi-generational homes means less space to devote to an office. What's popular now for many families is the "pocket" office, a workspace carved out near the high-traffic areas of the home, often in a closet with the door removed or in an alcove. It's a hub for home management activities: paying bills, coordinating the family's schedules and keeping everyone organized.
 2. The writing's on the wall. If you like to "think big" when you brainstorm, you can turn a whole wall into a whiteboard or a chalkboard with special paint, like IdeaPaint Create dry erase coating or Benjamin Moore's Chalkboard Paint. Take a snapshot of your work with your smartphone, then wipe it clean and start over!
3. Yipes! Skypes! When you work remotely, chances are you do some video conferencing. Remember that what's behind you is what the other person will be looking at. It doesn't need to be a bare wall, but keep the view as simple and neat as possible. (You might be able to still keep the fuzzy slippers if they stay hidden under the desk!)
4. Cut out the bulk. Big desks with giant leather chairs are for big formal offices. A smaller scale writing desk, table, a standing or kneeling desk, or an adjustable-height work surface might be better suited to your work-at-home style. Mesh chairs, like the Herman Miller Aeron, or a desk chair in white or a bright color add a fresh and airy ambiance. Adding built-in cabinets, shelves and bookcases can be a great way to maintain a clean look and provide a place to get papers out of sight when you have a meeting or video conference.
5. Enjoy the view. An efficient office doesn't have to mean a bare, sterile office. Surround yourself with things you love to look at, whether it's art prints, photos, sculpture or plants (which also improve the indoor air quality) and you might even increase your productivity.
6. Shrinking electronics. Chances are you're not using a big desktop computer. If you're working on an iPad or tablet, extras such as a snap-on keyboard or Bluetooth speakers make your work life easier and more comfortable. The more wireless devices you can include, the less you have to worry about containing cord clutter. Just make sure you've allowed for plenty of handy outlets in the room layout for plugging in everything for recharging.
7. Working “at” home but not “in” the home. If you don't want a commute, but still need a quiet place to think, away from the comings and goings of family life, consider a detached home office. Similar to a guest house, it's your own private work space just steps from your door. It combines the convenience of a home office with the physical (and psychological) separation between "working" and "relaxing" that is often missing when you work from home.
Whether you want to be in the middle of the action or in a quiet nook with a Do Not Disturb sign, we can help you create a home office that suits your style. Just give us a call.
Safety Tip: Microchip Your Pets
One of the most important things you can do for your pets is to get them microchipped in case they get lost. This is especially important in an emergency or natural disaster, since first responders do not have the resources to care for and reunite pets with their families if they become separated. A lost pet with an active microchip can be easily identified by most veterinarians or shelters.
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Mike Winn |
