Due to the restrictions from COVID-19, more people are working from home than ever before. With 43% of all workers in the United States working from home and that number expected to increase to 73% by 2028, you need a home office that fits your unique work needs.

However, building a home office requires significant planning if you want to maximize your space and productivity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, working remotely, or simply need a quiet place to think, a home office gives you an organized area to prioritize tasks.

How do you build a home office in Dayton, OH and surrounding areas? Let’s take a look at a few tips to create an office that reflects your style and needs.

Do You Need to Build a Home Office?

86% of employees believe they’re more productive working from home when freed from distractions, such as loud coworkers and unproductive meetings. Consider these questions before creating your home office:

• Do you need a lot of equipment? If your job consists of endless paperwork, multiple devices, etc., a dedicated office space will help keep you organized.
• Do you enjoy work? A home office allows you to achieve work-life balance while still retaining dedicated work hours.
• Can you shut off? Spending time with loved ones is important and building an office allows you to make a clear partition between work and home life.
• Are you easily distracted? With kids, pets, or daily activities to attend to, a private area keeps you from procrastinating.

5 Tips to Build the Perfect Home Office

Ready to build a home office and unlock greater productivity? Here are a few tips to create a positive work environment at home:

1. Pick a Location that Works for You

You will most likely be spending a large chunk of time in your office. While you don’t want to be stuffed in a tiny corner, you also need to consider which areas have heavy traffic flow. What type of environment makes you the most productive? Do you need a quiet space tucked away? Or do you prefer to be in an area where you are still within earshot of your family? Overall, the ideal location should increase your productivity and energy and ensure that you’re in a better headspace to get work done.

2. Create a Distraction-Free Space

When working from home, it’s unrealistic to think you’ll only be focused on work. It’s easy to get sidetracked with household chores, barking pets, trying to find the right playlist, etc. You’ll need to set boundaries with people within your house or coworkers so you can set specific expectations and working hours. Consider the following expectations:

• Create an organized calendar that lays out your meeting schedules or client visits
• Implement a policy that when your door is closed, your office should be considered off-limits
• Develop a routine around when you drink your coffee, eat lunch, or stretch your legs
• Standardize quiet hours

3. Paint the Walls with the Right Colors

Forget your typical office beige or boring grey. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your office, paint your walls a color that inspires you and creates a positive environment.  In fact, certain colors affect your mood and productivity levels, such as:

• Pink: Energy and glamour
• Green: Nature and harmony
• Yellow: Happiness and optimism
• Blue: Comfortable and serene

4. Buy Comfortable Furniture

You don’t want to sacrifice functionality in your office space. Regardless of the aesthetic, your furniture should be comfortable and functional. What items do you need closest to you? What does your typical workflow look like? Depending on your needs, you’ll need to invest in the following items:

• Ergonomic office chair
• Standing or walking desk
• Shelves
• Filing cabinet
• Keyboard, mouse, and computer screens
• Fun accessories like a pencil older and sticky notes
• Inspiring decor

5. Give Yourself a View

If you plan on spending hours in your office, don’t position your desk in front of a blank, uninspiring wall. Even if you decide to use bold paint or wallpaper color, positioning your chair towards a window’s natural light is a great way to boost productivity. If you don’t have access to a window, hang an interesting photo above your desk and face towards the door.

Build a Home Office That Keeps You Productive and Engaged

Whether you’re working from home full-time or just need a dedicated space to be productive, building a home office is a great way to create a space for your creative needs. With more people working from home, your home office might not be a temporary fix, so take the time to carefully plan the ideal spot that will boost your energy, mood, and productivity.

Looking to build a home in a developed community or a new lot? Schedule a consultation with Oberer homes today.