5 Tips for a Perfectly Optimized Home Office

If you’re looking for a lean and cost-effective way to launch a business idea, there’s nothing better than starting with a home-based operation. And while there’s a lot that goes into launching and growing a business, don’t discount the importance of optimizing your home office for maximum productivity.

5 Steps to the Perfect Home Office

Home-based businesses are awesome. Nearly three-quarters of home-based businesses are still in operation three years after launching (compared to just one-third of traditional businesses). This has a lot to do with the convenience and cost-effectiveness of running such a business.

While there are dozens of factors that play into success and longevity, the right home office will do wonders for you. Here’s how you can design and optimize the perfect workspace:

Be Strategic With Location

You might not have a ton of options to choose from, but location within the house is a significant factor. It’s especially important if you live with other people – such as a spouse, children, or roommates.

You want a location that’s convenient and easy to access, but also private and secluded. You’re going to spend hours of each day in this room and you want it to be in area of the house where you won’t be bothered by other people. But if you plan on meeting clients in your office, it should be somewhere that’s easily accessible. Carefully think through all of the logistics so you end up with a space you’re happy with.

Use the Right Colors

Did you know that the colors you use in rooms have a direct impact on how you feel and function? And while everyone responds differently to individual colors based on unique factors like age, gender, culture, and personal experiences, certain shades and tones are best in an office setting.

Green is a great color for an office. It’s considered the most restful color for the human eye and has a calming effect. It’s believed to reduce stress and help people relax. It’s also associated with success and prosperity, which makes it ideal for running a business.

Blue is another tranquil color and is often associated with clarity of thought. Try experimenting with different shades to see if there’s one that fits your eye.

Optimize for Proper Ergonomics

Few things matter more than how you set up and optimize your workspace (desk area) within your home office. The right setup will eliminate issues that frequently lead to stiffness, pain, and inefficiency.

“Minimize the damage sitting for long hours causes to your body by following ergonomic rules,” Lina Vashurina writes for Ecwid. “Set up your workspace in such a way that your back and neck are straight and your arms are parallel to the floor. Avoid slouching or keeping your arms at odd angles.”

Not sure what height to use for your monitor, keyboard, chair, and desk? This simple workspace planner tool gives you customized results based on your height.

Ensure Adequate Storage

Nothing inhibits efficiency and creativity quite like a messy office that’s full of clutter and distractions. As you design your office, think carefully about organization and optimize the layout to account for adequate storage.

“Look for adaptable storage systems that can grow and be altered as your storage needs change. Even if your work is largely paperless, the unavoidable creep of bills, post and archived documents needs to be pre-empted,” Lindsey Davis writes for RealHomes. “Choose adjustable shelves that can be repositioned. This allows you to maximize the available space, fitting the shelves to your items, rather than being left with wasted voids.”

Less is More

When designing a home office, most people feel the desire to do as much as possible. They want all of the gadgets, furniture, and wall art they can cram into the space. But in reality, the opposite is true. In order to make your home office as practical and efficient as possible, adopt a “less is more” mantra. This will cut back on distractions and give you room to breathe.

Set Yourself Up for Success

The perfect home office doesn’t guarantee that your home business will be successful, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. From the location and design to how you optimize for ergonomics, every detail matters. How will you proceed?