Working from home is the new norm and the home office won’t be ignored. From setting up efficient areas to store your working documents and tools to opening the space so you don’t feel cramped during a tight deadline, here are a few home office design ideas to keep your mind and body limber.
Many of us have the notion that our home offices need to be stacked with the same furniture and storage needs as our old brick and mortar offices. But you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that isn’t the case. Your home office can have the bare essentials: desk, chair, small filing cabinet and some sort of light fixture.
By keeping your home office limited to the essentials, you can avoid the random clutter that often piles up when there’s the space for it. You’ll also have more room to stretch your legs throughout the day with limited furniture to hinder your movement.
If possible, set your office up with natural lighting in mind. If you can’t find a place near a window to give off that natural hue, or a room that’s window adjacent, consider using LED bulbs. Bulbs around 4000K can provide a soft, almost daylight-like glow that gives enough light to support your eyes without being harsh.
However, as with any prolonged exposure to screens and artificial light, experts recommend taking a break and looking at something more “natural,” such as a tree in your yard or taking a stroll around the block to see what new outdoor decor your neighbors may have garnished the neighborhood with.
While working from home, it’s important to remember that your body is probably going to be stationary for most of the day. Introduce ergonomic additions. Ergonomic additions can be something as simple as a chair with an extra bit of curve along the lower lumbar to provide support. You could also set up a few buoyant fixtures like yoga blocks, stability balls or under-desk ergonomic footrests. If you’re looking for a bigger ticket item to help keep from sitting all day, standing desks and convertible desks (those you can stand or sit at) have come a long way.
These are just a few ways to get the most out of your home office while keeping the space sleek and clutter-free. Other ways to open up the space include decor, paint options and setting up in a corner of an open room.
Terese Ferrara is a long-time resident of the Bay Area and has been a partner with The Goss Real Estate Group for many years. She and her husband raised their two daughters in San Jose, where she successfully continues to build her real estate career.
After earning a bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University, she went on to teach in the San Jose Unified School District for 9 years. Transitioning to real estate was a logical choice, utilizing her patient demeanor to educate all levels of buyers and sellers. Knowledge and experience demonstrate her vested interest in delivering the highest level of care and professionalism to every client. She consistently strives to exceed her client’s expectations throughout the entire real estate transaction and remains a trusted advisor long after each close.
As a board member on KW Bay Area Estates’ Associate Leadership Council (ALC), she aids in support of culture and professional development strategies for over 180 associates. Terese is also a Director for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors Foundation, which supports community service initiatives in Silicon Valley.
Terese is the consummate real estate professional dedicated to providing unparalleled service to her clients through ongoing training and education, keeping her on top of the dynamic market and latest real estate trends. Her high-touch approach coupled with honesty and integrity support her commitment to her client’s real estate needs.
