Working from home

When you work from home it is important spatially and psychologically to separate your working life from your home life.

If possible, have your office in an extension, outside building, garage, attic or basement room. Make sure your office can be shut off from your home. Even if you need to have a double functioning room, such as office/dining room, office/ guest-bedroom, your working life should be hidden behind sliding doors or cabinets. Be disciplined in your mind -“go to work” and leave your home life and responsibilities behind. When you’ve finished work, “go home” - close the office door, the sliding doors or cabinets. If you don’t separate the two, sooner or later your work will overtake your life.

Office space

When it comes to space we always underestimate what a home office requires

Before you convert a space in your home into an office, write down what your business requires. Don’t underestimate storage. You’ll need cabinets or shelves for files and folders – and more than you think. Your desk should be as big as you can fit into the room. IT equipment always takes up more space than we think they do. Make sure you organize things efficiently.

Office Decor

Just because it’s an office it doesn’t have to look like an office!

Don’t let your home office look boring and corporate-like. Use fresh and vivid colors to cheer you up - instead of typical filing cabinets and office desks, use wooden furniture to bring warmth into your room. Clear space allows for clear thinking - keep you files, folders, stationary & books in cabinets rather than on shelves. Paint a wall area with magnetic paint to stick important messages, letters and images. If possible have a coffee table and couple of armchairs to take a break or for visitors / clients.