Tips for Building the Perfect Home Office

A good workday begins with a good workflow. The arrangement of your home office can affect your whole outlook. Maybe you want a custom desk or bookcase. If the lighting is bad, your wires are tangled, or you’re just plain uncomfortable, those feelings will likely seep into your work. Left unchecked, they will worsen your day and sap your productivity. Here are some ways to optimize your home office and avoid lethargy.

Lighting and Environment

Natural Light: The first step to better work focus is a better atmosphere. Studies show that we often operate at a natural-light deficiency, which lowers our mood. Try to work in a space with windows. If you are worried about privacy, translucent blinds from Hunter Douglas can give it to you without removing natural light. We’re happy to provide a consultation if you have questions about what would work for your space. 

Artificial Light: If you can’t work in a space with open windows and natural light, artificial light will work as a solution. It will also allow you to control how and where your workspace is lit. LED puck task lights are a great way to illuminate areas such as your keyboard, desk space, boards, and shelving. 

Temperature: Make sure that your room has temperature control. Consider a DIY option if you don’t have air conditioning at home or are just looking to save money. However, a frigid room can be just as bad! If you find it hard to stay focused, ensure that the temperature isn’t bothering you. 

Fresh Air: It’s impossible to work in a stuffy room, so ensure your workspace is well-ventilated. If you can, you can leave a door or window open to increase air circulation. 

Outlets and Wires

Building Additional Outlets: Many use extension cords and power strips to keep our devices charged. However, in many cases, it’s often much safer to add additional outlets to a room instead of using a power strip. It may also help you spread out your cables and use a whole space. Ask one of our Cardinal team members for advice!

Wiring: Nothing’s more unsightly or frustrating than a heap of tangled wires. Use Command or wall hooks to keep cords organized and out of sight. If you’re purchasing wires, consider low-voltage wiring. Low-voltage wiring is used for both TV and network cables.

Making Use of Your Home Office Space

Desks: Additional surfaces can help declutter your office. If you are tight on space, consider building a floating or murphy desk. These small desks are portable and attach directly to the wall of your office space. Or maybe you would like a custom desk or bookcase? At Cardinal, we carry semi-custom cabinets as well, and your Cardinal design team can help create a space that fits perfectly in your space.

Shelving: Consider building shelving to give yourself more room. Shelves are helpful for plants, decorations, and other items, which might help make your workspace feel more inviting!

Raise your Monitor: Build a small desk shelf and use it to raise your monitor. This will free up storage space underneath, which might be particularly useful for storing items you need to access frequently.

Boards: Whether you’re working alone or with others, it may help to have some aids for your visual memory. Consider chalk or dry-erase board to externalize your thoughts and unclutter your mind and desk. You can also add a coating of Benjamin Moore Notable Dry Erase Paint to any wall for an instant dry-erase board.

Are you interested in learning more about enriching your home? You can count on Cardinal! Please consult our website for home improvement products, DIY advice, or to schedule a consultation with a Cardinal Home Center near you.