How to design the perfect workspace in your home. Michelle Canny's top tips for creating a workspace you love working in.
With an increasing number of people working from home these days, the need for a productive space to work in is a must, but how do you create one in your home?
Here are my top tips for creating the perfect work space no matter where you live.
1. Choose a designated space
First things first, before you go out and buy that great desk or amazing chair it’s important to consider these three things:
1. The type of work you do
2. What your needs are - For example do you need a lot of space to spread out or just enough space for a laptop
3. The people that you live with
If your work requires you to have peace and quiet away from distractions, then a dedicated office space or spare room is ideal.
However, if there are young children in the house that need your supervision then a kitchen, dining area or study nook off the living area may be more appropriate.
2. Lighting matters
When planning your work space, one of the most important factors to consider is the lighting.
Natural light is one of the best lighting sources you can get as it aids in health, wellness and best of all, concentration.
Consider placing a desk as close to a window as possible to benefit from the daylight, but be mindful of the angle of the computer to avoid glare.
If there is too much light in a room, a great solution to combat this is by installing sheer curtains or blinds as they’re perfect for letting sun rays filter into a room without making it too bright.
If natural light isn’t an option or you work at night, consider getting an adjustable desk lamp with a gentle warm light to avoid it being too harsh on the eyes.
3. Storage options
One thing that is the killer of productivity in any work space is clutter!
To create a stress free environment, consider storage options such as shelving, cabinetry or small home office storage solutions to make your work space as tidy and organised as possible.
Remember it is not always necessary to have all your office accessories such as printers on display so think about how you can store these to ensure they’re in close reach but not taking up valuable space.
Another storage option to consider is custom cabinetry. Although it is more expensive, it can often be more effective as you are able to make it fit according to your room size and layout and it’s worth the investment if you’re planning on creating a multipurpose room such as a guest bedroom/study.
4. Create a space you want to be in
We spend so much of our lives at work, it makes sense that it should be in a space we want to spend time in.
The best way to do this is through decorating. When creating a perfect work space display items that mean something to you. This may be photographs of your family, treasured books or ornaments.
Create a cosy space by adding softer textures such as a rug, cushions for a spare chair or choosing a fabric unholstered seat.
Inject colour by adding some artwork to the walls or inspirational wording or imagery. Spark your creativity by having layered pin boards full of all your important bits and pieces or if goals are your motivator why not include a vision board on the wall.
Last, but certainly not least include some greenery! Plants are not only conducive to our health, they are the perfect accessory for a desk, table, shelf or window sill and come in a variety of shapes and sizes making them ideal for any type of work space.
Michelle is an Interior Decorator and Stylist who is passionate about bringing a sense of place to the homes of her clients Australia wide. Based in the mid NSW coast, she loves spending time with her family at the beach and when she's not working on design concepts or obsessing over interiors you will find her out on the paddle board. Discover more about Michelle Canny here
