Create a home office you’ll love to work in

Whether your home office is stand-alone or shared with another space, good lighting and attention to ergonomics are important, especially if you work in it fulltime. Photos: 123RF, UNSPLASH, SUPPLIED. Not having a home office is so 2019. These days, being able to work from home isn’t just convenient, it’s also helpful in case of sick children, and – dare we say it – another lockdown. When creating a home office, start by considering its purpose. If it’s used daily, a style that feels different to the rest of the house may help you focus. If it’s part of a multi-purpose room – doubling as a spare bedroom, for example – decorating it to match the rest of the house is probably best, especially if your home has an open flow. Solitary work that requires privacy and quiet is best done if you prefer. Clutter can be distracting in a home office so storage should be plentiful and accessible. Include spaces for a printer and document shredder, if needed. Make room for personal items – plants, photos, art, etc, – to help create a space you want to be in, not just one you have to be in. A noticeboard or whiteboard is a good way to keep track of deadlines and to-do lists. Good lighting is vital, both natural and artificial. A survey of 1600 US employees by HR firm Future Workplace found that access to natural light was the most desired feature of a work environment.Sunlight can create glare on screens, though, so when positioning your desk and monitor, allow for the angles of natural light through the day. Shutters or venetian blinds allow you to control the amount of light coming in, while a sunfilter roller blind will block glare while letting in some light. Whatever you go for, include a desk lamp, too. Now add a comfy, ergonomic chair – but have frequent breaks throughout the day to stretch. A colourful, smooth rug with a dense pile will set it off nicely. ● ● ● ● ● away from the daily bustle of home life. A garage or loft conversion, or a garden office, may be ideal; ready-built, stand-alone rooms in a variety of forms can be lifted onto a section. If conference calls are likely, a tidy background and site away from barking dogs is helpful. If your desk must accommodate a computer as well as an area to take notes or sort files, consider an L-shaped corner desk. But any storage pillars integrated into the desk will limit where you can sit. Give yourself plenty of legroom. Standing desks are a healthy option