The biggest problem home workers have is the loss of distinction between work life and home life.Ĭompartmentalizing your day into identifiable segments will help. This contributes to your life balance, and should also help you be more productive and organize your day. This promotes healthy balance and allows you to relax at home when you are not at work.Įstablish set hours for your work at home.
#DESIGNING A HOME OFFICE FOR TWO FREE#
You will also want to keep the non-office space in your home free of work items. Keep all of your work in that space because it's important that you be able to find things, retrieve things and be efficient within this space. Evaluate how the space you find can be dedicated for your use and can be "your space." You might be able to convert the guest room you only use a few times a year or another underutilized area into your office. Where are you going to put your office? It doesn't need to be large or expansive, but it should be separate from other areas. The answers to these questions will begin to develop the program for your home office. When will I be doing the bulk of my work?.What type of materials will be referenced and/or stored?.Will colleagues visit for collaborative work?.
Will external clients be visiting the space?.The most effective way to do that is with the design of the space itself.Īsk yourself these questions before you begin: You have to find a way to separate yourself from the rest of the goings-on in the home and to convey a sense of "off limits" to all other normal and natural home sounds and interruptions.Ī distinction has to be made regarding the physical boundaries of this working space. While comfort is essential in any office, an office that is too casual may seriously impede the ability to get things done. Working from home is exciting because it offers an opportunity for real comfort and efficiency, but if the office is too casual, or isn't effectively separated from the home environment, peak productivity may be lost.
How does designing an effective home office differ from designing a commercial office? And what considerations do you need to keep in mind even before you get started? asked Heinz for advice on designing a home office for maximum efficiency. Jo Heinz is president of Dallas interior architecture and design firm Staffelbach.