Home Office Makeover Ideas

With a large percentage of the workforce working from home, having a functional and appealing home office has never been so important. This area of the home can easily become a dumping ground for items that you might want out of the more public rooms. It can also be difficult to keep all of your work-related documents and supplies in good order. Finally, if the room is unappealing, you will not want to spend time in it, and that would be detrimental to anyone's productivity.

Here are some ways you can give your home office a much-needed makeover:

• Update Your Equipment
• Declutter Your Desk
• Use Your Vertical Space
• Appeal to All of Your Senses

Put these tips into practice and you'll be thrilled with the end results. Time to get started!

No matter how beautiful and appealing your home office space is, if you are struggling with your basic work equipment, frustration is bound to set in. While you might not be able to overhaul your entire system at once, take a look at your computer, monitor, webcam, microphone, desk, and chair.

If your computer is running slowly or loses internet connection easily, a session with a troubleshooter in your area can help and will be more affordable than upgrading your computer. Similarly, if your webcam makes you look blurry or grainy, upgrading to a better one is generally not a large expenditure.

If you can, avoid working exclusively on a laptop or notebook. They're often uncomfortable to type on and look at for long periods of time. Plus, the keyboards are small and the screens are low.

Your desk and chair should be ergonomically correct to avoid muscle aches and pains. The National Health Service in the U.K. recommends making sure your back is supported, keeping your "feet on the floor," and having your desktop at "eye level."

Take a look at your desk. Is it mostly clear except for whatever you are currently working on and your daily planner? It's important not only to get your desk decluttered, but also to keep it that way long-term.

Use a variety of desk accessories to maintain some semblance of order. Have a dedicated space for pens, printer paper, and any tools that you use regularly. Each person's list of items that they must have at their fingertips will vary depending on the nature of their job, so think about your own personal needs.

Clear as much paper from your desk as possible. If you prefer an analog planner, that's fine, but try to minimize clutter such as post-it notes and to-do lists written on random scraps of paper. If you can, scan files and toss the paper originals; if that's not possible, then invest in file cabinets or drawers to keep papers in order and off of your desk surface.

Go through the decluttering process daily, preferably at the end of each day so you can begin each morning with a well-organized office.

It's easy to forget about all of the wall space available in your home office. Neglecting this premium square footage can lead to items being stacked up on flat surfaces, and further fosters disorganization. Instead, think about ways to use your walls as opposed to valuable surface space.

A whiteboard or bulletin board (or a combination of the two) will give you a place to make notes if you work better with an analog system. You can hang your calendar on the wall rather than keeping it on your desk. Cubbies, shelves, or even a cut-out space like a closet with the door removed can all serve as storage spaces that keep what you need at hand without making your desk feel cramped.

The home office is not meant to be all work and no play; at least, it shouldn't be that way! If you dread entering your office because it's dull, uncomfortable, or unappealing in some way, you won't be productive. Worse, you might begin to dislike your work and notice the signs of burnout.

HelpGuide lists these signs as including exhaustion, "frequent headaches," and a "decreased sense of accomplishment." While a makeover can't cure all cases of burnout, a poorly designed office can certainly contribute to it.

Think about all of your senses as you plan your home office makeover:

• Paint the walls, hang up artwork, and overall, make sure that your surroundings appeal to your sense of style. Place plants, a mirror, photographs of your family, and other appealing objects where you can see them throughout the workday.
• Stimulate your tactile senses with a comfortable office chair and desk with pleasing textures. Also, ensure that the room is at a comfortable temperature. Setting a timer to remind you to get up and move around for a few minutes each hour will keep your muscles more comfortable to prevent tightness later in the evening.
• Make your home office smell good. Burn a scented candle, use potpourri, keep your favorite scented lotion nearby, or simply open the window to let in the clean outdoor air. Regular cleaning and dusting will also go a long way toward keeping your home office smelling fresh.
• Play soft, instrumental music or get a white noise machine if either silence or background noise is distracting. Keep the door closed if noisy children or pets are making you feel tense.
• Have easy-to-eat, non-messy snacks on hand, as well as a big glass of water (maybe with fruit chunks added) nearby. Proper nutrition and hydration will keep your energy up during that mid-afternoon slump, and you won't be tempted to ignore these needs if you have food and drink within easy reach.

If you are working from home full-time, you're spending 40 hours per week in your home office; even part-timers are in that room for a large chunk of time. It makes sense to update that space periodically so it continues to meet your needs and desires.

If you don't have a large budget, several of the tips above can be accomplished for free or at very little cost; if you have a bit more or if your employer is covering some upgrades, then think about where your investment would make the most sense.