Setting up an office to be well organized is a must, especially when working from home. Use the office space to its full potential to improve productivity, take ergonomics into account and foster your overall well-being. You’ll see how it can have a positive impact on your success!
Analyze your needs
Think about your reality before starting an office setup project. Ask yourself a few questions.
What criteria would make this room optimal?
What’s my budget?
What are the architectural constraints?
Start by measuring the room and analyzing the environment. You could even create a vision board and draw a plan to make your vision take shape.
3 ways to create separate zones
Creating specific zones within a workspace lets you reduce distractions and separate professional activities from your personal life. This method contributes to staying well organized and to clarifying the role of each zone within the same room.
Decide what area will be for meetings, breaks and relaxing. Let the following guide you:
1. Use creative partitions
Creative partitions help divide the zones. They reduce visual or auditory distractions to help you concentrate. These separations, which are often modular, also add an aesthetic aspect to the room.
They’re also highly useful for people who need to set up an office in an open space. Select the partition that works for you and immerse yourself in your own creative universe!
Bookcase
Row of hanging plants
Furniture with wheels
A short wall of wooden bins
Screen
Partition
Home nets
Sheer fabric
2. Select accessories
Decorative accessories play an important role because they help create the atmosphere you want and can even enhance your productivity. For example, you could install a Zen corner in your office. Perfect for relaxation breaks and those days when you need to clear your mind!
Add a rug, armchair or floor cushions, along with candles for maximum coziness. What about hanging a hammock?
3. Choose colours
Bring together the materials and colours you love. They influence your state of mind. You might opt for neutral colours in the calm corner (white, beige, grey) and light colours in the creative corner (pale blue, sage green, violet, peach) where you want to be productive.
The importance of adapted furniture in an office setup
Comfort is one of the key aspects to consider in your office space. Assess your requirements, in terms of your posture and habits before shopping. Don’t forget that your physical health, just like your mental health, should be the overriding concern. Then explore various options.
Multi-purpose furniture Prioritize furniture that’s adjustable, that can be transformed into a conference table and offers a larger work surface when expanded. Their uses and functions can be optimized, as can the environment you’re in. This is even more important if you live in a smaller home.
Elements that foster ergonomics There are walking treadmills designed to be installed under a desk to let you move while working. Some are even foldable for easy storage. This is a great solution for changing positions at work.
EspaceProprio tip Get yourself a portable ministepper, so you can exercise from the comfort of your own office. This device is compact and takes up little room. It simulates the action of climbing stairs to work several muscles at once.
Then, don’t overlook the importance of the ergonomics in your adjustable chair, footrest, keyboard and mouse. If you have back pain, get a special cushion. There are also many accessories available to reduce other types of tension, such as wrist-rests and monitor mounts.
Ways of organizing your equipment efficiently
Storage is another aspect of organizing to consider. You need to make room for office supplies, notes, bills and all that jazz. Are there effective storage solutions? Of course there are!
Use cupboards, shelves and boxes. You could even add a storage bench in your Zen corner.
To keep your environment looking good, run wires behind the furniture and use wire covers and ducts.
Store documents, sorted by category or using a colour code, in a filing cabinet. Digitize important papers to help you declutter: sort those than can be thrown out from those that must be kept.
Personalize your office space
There’s nothing like a home that feels like you. So don’t forget to add your personal touch to your office. Hang photos of loved ones and include souvenirs on shelves, like postcards and vases you found on your travels.
You might also want to install a bulletin board or a wall grid and then design an inspirational montage of Polaroids and motivational quotes.
You know yourself better than anyone, so let yourself be guided by what brings you joy. Climbing plants, a colourful wallpaper cutout or a gallery of eclectic art… Just about anything goes!
You love our ideas but need a little help to make them happen? Visit the Useful tips section of our site.
