the weather report
How To Create Your Dream Home Office
Almost overnight, our community transitioned from the boardroom to the bedroom, from the classroom to the coffee table, & from pantsuits to pajamas. A challenge and an adjustment to say the least. The remote work trend was already growing well before COVID-19 sent employees scrambling for home office setups. Nowadays with even more of us working from home for the unforeseeable future, it’s about time we invest in our working environments to ensure the highest level of productivity and the best experience possible.
Making the move from a corporate office to a home office can feel intimidating but we are here to help you learn how to set up a home office that gives you that extra boost of confidence you need to be successful in your day-to-day tasks. Whether you’re running a business from home, a sales specialist needing an impressive zoom background, or if you simply just need a private place where you can focus from time to time, you can use these tips and tricks to help learn how to design a home office that is just right for you!
Here are some helpful ways in which you can transform whatever space you have into an organized, stylish oasis that you love spending time in, and more importantly, where you can get some serious work done:
Location
The first step in creating your dream home office is selecting a location. If you’re going to be working 9-5 in your home, then you’ll want to make sure you are in a prime spot, away from the hustle & bustle. We understand that the location of your home office will be highly dependent upon the space that you have available, as well as your lifestyle. Even with little space you can create a small home office layout that works for you. If you live alone, you may want to set up shop in the living room, however if you have a family, you may want to transform a spare bedroom, fix up the basement, or even convert an empty closet into a built-in office. You should also ask yourself what type of space you’ll feel most productive in. While some people enjoy having background noise, others prefer a quiet area where they can focus... and then there are those who want the best of both worlds! Comfort is always a top priority, so you should also factor that in when considering home office layout ideas.
Lighting
Having natural light can be key in defining a happy workplace environment. A well lit room will help you feel alert, and ready to take on the new challenges each day brings. Lighting can make all the difference when it comes to boosting productivity and creativity in your daily work tasks. If you are able to, position your desk in a space that has abundant natural light and outdoor views. If you are unable to work from an area with natural light, then getting artificial lighting right will be just as important. Mixing different types of lighting is always a good idea, so you should consider pairing a desk lamp or a floor lamp with overhead lighting. A floor lamp is a great way to add in warm lighting which will not strain the eye, while a desk lamp is a smart choice for more focused task lighting. Each lighting combination will create a different mood and allow you to change things up throughout the different periods of the work day. Afterall, ambiance is just as important as anything else when it comes to home office setup.
Furniture
When asking yourself how to set up a home office, the most important piece of furniture may be pretty obvious. As the focal point of the home office, selecting a custom office desk that best suits your needs will be one of the most important decisions you make. Desks come in all shapes and sizes, so you’ll want to be sure that you make the right choice for your specific work routine. Do you have multiple screens? Do you prefer a standing desk? Do you need extra space for a writing surface? These are all questions you can ask yourself when deciding on a desk for your home workspace.
In support of Inside Weather’s new, remote work from home community, we launched our first desk collection to offer an adaptable office space for those needing it right now. Designed to adapt to your lifestyle, The Jorn Desk requires zero commitment to one configuration and has proven itself to be the best work from home desk yet. Each desk comes with two pedestal shelves and one larger monitor shelf—all three are adjustable and their height and position along the desk can be customized to meet your creative needs. You can even remove all three if you please for a more minimal home office look! Did we mention this work from home desk fits great in a small space, like your New York City living room?
Check out some of our favorite Jorn Desk setups below:
Now that you have your desk, you need something to sit on. Choosing the right chair for your desk is just as important as the desk itself, especially if you are working from the space full-time. If you like to change things up throughout the day, an ergonomic chair is a great option for you. Ergonomic office chairs come at all different price points, and they are designed to give you the most support possible. This is crucial when working from your desk for long hours. Ergonomic chairs will come with settings to adjust the height of the chair, the armrest, the headrest and even the back brace. They help you stay comfortable and maintain proper posture throughout the day, all while suiting your personal needs.
Comfort is key, but if you are focused on also having a stylish chair, there are plenty of armchairs and accent chairs out there for you! Our Nola Armchair is a great choice for a desk chair. The Nola's molded shell is designed to gently frame each of its guests' resting figures. The smooth angles and rounded nature of its cavity serve as a delightfully modern space for all silhouettes!
Here is the Nola in some of our favorite fabrics:
Organization
If you’re all about a clean and tidy look, you’ll want to be conscious about clutter like wires, chargers and storage prior to selecting a desk setup. Keeping a clean work surface and staying organized can have a great impact on your daily work successes, so opt for a desk with some organizational features built into the piece! We know how important this is, so we designed the Jorn Desk to not only look nice but to be practical, too. Each surface features an inconspicuous media hole to keep your surge protector and cords in check and your laptop powered. The built in shelf provides additional storage space to support your daily grid (and favorite office supplies) and is designed set back near the center so as to not obstruct your WFH kinetics. If you’re looking for additional ways to stay organized, check out our desk organization tips.
If you have the room for it, utilizing shelving units is also a great way to stay organized when thinking about home office layout ideas. Our Atlas shelf is modern yet functional, and it might just change your outlook on organization. Its adjustable shelves offer a product that can adapt to your storage needs over time. Your life (and your belongings) are always evolving so we believe your furniture should always be there to support that journey.
Personalization
When thinking about how to set up a home office, we believe that aesthetic is just as important as functionality. Since a home office is your own space after all, you’ll want to make sure that you add personal touches that help make your space inspiring and enjoyable to work in. These additions can be as big or as small as you’d like. Adding a potted plant, framed photos, or desk supplies are all great ways to warm the space and make it feel like your own.
Whether you’re working long hours from home, or simply in need of a space to focus part of the week, selecting a home office layout that works for you is equally important. Having a dedicated workspace is key to getting in a routine schedule and staying productive when working from home. As times continue to change and remote working becomes more popular, we want to make sure we’re giving you the best tips to adapt to work-from-home life, all from the comfort of your own dream office space.
