San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Planning a home work space
Does COVID19 have you working remotely? Is your home also an office? There’s still a need to separate work from home life, and several Bay Areabased interior designers have some insights on what you can do to organize your home office.
Heather Hilliard, Heather Hilliard Design
Keep it minimal, you won’t be as productive in clutter: Try to keep the desk surface clear of papers and too many personal items. The goal is to limit distractions from work. I encourage having art and decorative accessories on other surfaces in the space, but keep your immediate workspace clean and relatively sparse. Consider a standing desk: This is especially useful if you find you are more productive on the move.
Work in a welllit place: All desks should have a good task light in addition to overhead lighting so as not to strain your eyes. However, if you’re working in a room with a window that lets in a lot of light, make sure you have a shade to prevent glare on your monitor, as that can be equally prohibiting. Make it a place you actually want to be in: Invest in art to make the room feel special. If an office looks great and feels inviting, it will be easier to buckle down and get work done. Having a comfortable work chair is also a big part of this, and you don’t have to skimp on style. Spending a little more for a comfortable, good looking chair is worth it if you’re going to be sitting there all day.
If you have room, it’s nice to have a comfortable armchair in the room: That way you won’t have to leave your office every time you need a break from your office chair.
Marea Clark, Marea Clark Interiors
Make sure you’re thinking about your health: For instance, consider ergonomically correct keyboard solutions. Having a drawer that positions it lower than your desk and at the right height for your wrists is important for your wrists ( and also hides unsightly tech). Keep it clean: Look to unclutter while still keeping a few of your favorite things. Even a beautiful pen cup or interesting dish to hold your paperclips can do a lot for your subconscious.
Don’t make it an afterthought: Carve out a budget, no matter how small, for your office. Making your office a purposefully decorated space will certainly motivate you to get more done, so even though it may not be seen by guests as much as the rest of your home, it’s a personal space that should be a joyful part of your day. The goal is to be excited to go there every day, not a space you dread.