Although the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic might have initially forced many of us to work from home, it seems that we now choose to work remotely on a regular basis. Even though it seems that the worst is now behind us with regard to lockdowns, working from home seems like a trend that is here to stay.
Since remote working became popular, organisations have seen increased staff productivity due to the lack of distractions that you would normally get in an office environment. Employees also seem to have increased flexibility because they are able to work to their own schedule, in their own space.
However, working from home is only successful if you create the right type of space to work in. If your home office is uncomfortable, distracting or simply out of balance, then it is near impossible to get anything done. When you are working at home, you need focus, concentration and energy, so it only seems right that your interior design reflects this in your chosen space.
We’ve outlined a few top tips and things to consider when creating your dream home office and we hope that this will lead to a stylish, yet functional space which allows you to work effectively.
Get The Light Right
First things first, check your lighting set up.
Ideally, you want to be working in a room that has a window to let in some natural light because there is nothing better than pure daylight to keep you feeling awake and ready to go.
Everyone works differently, so if you’re a night owl, you may not have any sunlight to work with; this means that you will need to get set up with the right light fittings and lamps to keep the space well-lit.
The difficulty with office lighting is striking the right balance between being too bright and too dim. Of course, whilst you are working, you will need lots of light to see what you’re doing, but at the same time, you don’t want the office to feel too clinical.
One of our favourite picks for office lighting is the Flos Arco Floor Lamp; this stunning piece is inspired by the mid-century modern trope with a bright direct light that is sure to keep your desk suitably lit.
Keep Your Desk Well Organised
So, this one pretty much goes without saying, but if you’re going to work from home, you need to keep your desk neat and tidy. This is even more important when working in a home office because you don’t want your personal life getting mixed in with your work life, so keep all your favourite magazines, books and non-work-related bits and bobs out of the space.
On Instagram, you might have seen lots of beautiful desks which are decorated with fresh cut flowers, fairy lights and loads of other trinkets that make for an aesthetic setting. However, these desks don’t always make for the most practical workspaces, so if you need a little style, stick with a small plant or two and make sure there’s room for all your files and notebooks.
Perhaps opt for a desk with lots of storage so that you can keep all of your clutter to a minimum. Minimal mess means minimal distractions, so bear that in mind when your designing the space.
The Bigger The Desk, The Better
When it comes to the size of your desk, we would always advise that you go bigger rather than smaller. Having a large desk means that you have more room to spread out your things; it’s much easier to have a coffee mug, a laptop and an open notebook on a large surface rather than crammed onto a tiny desk top.
Thankfully, we have a wide range of beautifully designed desks that are sure to cater to all your home office needs.
The Alf Italia range is especially impressive because they have desks and storage to suit every style; our personal favourite has got to be the Sedona Desk which is a contemporary design offering plenty of storage and a sliding return desk. Picking a large desk like this will make your home office much more practical, as well as adding a sense of style and sophistication.
Maximise Wall Space
Another top tip is to make the most of your wall space; this does not mean you should cover your walls in photos and artwork, as this could make it hard to focus after a while.
Use your wall to help you organise your work priorities and deadlines. This can be done by simply hanging up flipcharts, whiteboards, calendars and weekly reminders, or you could install a cork board behind your desk where you can pin all of these essentials.
Having this space as an all-round office space is very important in order to separate your work life from your personal life.
Always Prioritise Chair Comfort 
One mistake that is often made when designing a home office is picking a chair that is extremely uncomfortable. People often choose an office chair that’s awkward to sit on because they don’t want to be so cosy that they relax themselves out of working.
Once again, as with the lighting, it’s about finding the right balance between being comfortable and being in work-mode. Select a chair that’s firm but plush, like our faux grey leather Carter Office Chair from the Midas Furniture collection. This piece takes inspiration from industrial furniture styles, making it sleek, sophisticated and perfectly suited to an office environment.
BONUS TIP: Separate Your Spaces!
Last but not least, try to keep your home office as far away from your living room and bedroom; this may not be possible for every home, but if you can, we would certainly recommend it. When you walk into your home office, you want to feel like your going to work, and when you walk out, you want to feel like you’re going home. If your office is right next to your bedroom then it may start to feel like you are just waking up, working and sleeping again; it may also become increasingly difficult to switch off at the end of the day.
The best places to position your home office would be in your summer house/cabin, your loft, or any room that feels furthest away from your main relaxation spaces. Having this distance will help you to feel that your work is detached from your home life.
Creating the right mood and vibe in your home office can be a challenge, but we hope these tips will help you get started or even re-design your current set-up. If you need some help selecting the right furniture and accessories for you, please get in touch with us and our product specialists would be happy to assist you.
