For most people homes have become the backdrop of our personal experiences during and after the covid pandemic. Functionality and how we perceive our residential environment have changed drastically as a result. One of the things a lot of us had to do during lockdown is to somehow seamlessly integrate an office into our home space. Working from home poses a challenge of spatial, practical, and cognitive aspects. How does one find focus amidst the chaos? Daily routines, as well as room layouts, have to be replanned to accommodate the new circumstances and help maximize productivity.
While working from home has many perks it also comes with a set of unique challenges each of us has to tackle in the best way possible in order to meet individual needs. Many home offices start off leaving much to be desired: often being cramped, badly lit, poorly ventilated, uninspiring, and just downright uncomfortable.
We know there is a strong connection between our work environment and our mental health, that should not be overlooked or denied. With the pandemic taking away our autonomy and a lot of our choices in so many different areas of our lives, having a chance to improve the way our homes function might be a significant way to help us feel more rooted, in control, and ultimately happier. Rethinking your entire layout due to working from home requires more than flipping through your options, it demands you go in-depth and cover all the successful renovation. Remember, the end result can significantly impact your new way of day-to-day life, and improving your quality of life will definitely be worth it.
WHY DO YOU NEED A DEDICATED WORKSPACE?
With this new life dynamic, it might feel like you’re not so much working from home as much as you are living in your workspace. Work bleeds into life, life melts with work and neither is very satisfying in the end. This is where a clever design and some organization can make a big difference. Creating home workspaces that allow productiveness is one concern, and ensuring your home remains a place of safety and comfort is yet another. Designing a space that is flexible enough to live in and work from at the same time can be a delicate taste.
Working from home might sound like the perfect scenario, but it can be difficult to stay productive when the distractions of children, pets, and household chores are always waiting in the wings. If you work from home, it’s important to create a space that is dedicated to working and not to playing or studying. Try dedicating one room in your house as the office. It’s important to have a space that is both beautiful and productive. The key is to create an office that is separate from your living space. One of the most important considerations is noise – you want to create a workspace that allows you to focus. A good way to block out distracting noises is to use soundproofing materials or work in a separate room with windows or doors closed. 
MAKE YOUR DESK A CENTERPIECE
The pandemic has forced many big companies to consider the long-term value of remote work, and with this, many city-dwellers are thinking about moving to more spacious homes where they can have designated workspaces. The home office is definitely here to stay.
Pieces traditionally designed for offices can be adapted for home settings. With many people lacking the luxury of a separate home office, we have to consider thoughtful design tweaks that make a productive workspace possible.
The desk is a centerpiece of any home office, which is why it’s essential to choose a design that works for your needs. A home office desk can be large and commanding if you have the space and need for it, or small and sleek, just big enough for your computer. The main thing to think about is what storage and surface space you will need to get your work done productively.
L-shaped home office desks can be a great option if you do a lot of paperwork, draw, or just need an additional surface to get things done. A writing desk is ideal if you basically just need a place for your computer, monitor, and mousepad. Choosing a desk with a built-in keyboard drawer or slide will free up the top part of your desk leaving you with a cleaner working space. You can add extra storage by hanging some shelves on the walls and using a pinboard for your notes. If you need a lot of storage, debate getting an executive desk with a lot of drawers you can use to store paperwork and office accessories.
CHOOSE A COMFY CHAIR
Upgrading your chair is an easy way to revamp your home office furniture. When sitting for more than eight hours a day it’s a good idea to replace that kitchen chair with a comfy office alternative that’s going to be ergonomic and make work more productive. Make sure to choose a chair that is comfortable as well as visually appealing. After all, once the day’s work is done you will still have to look at it and maybe even use it in your day-to-day life. You don’t want to skimp on your chair, you’ll want to make sure whatever you choose offers you the support and comfort level you need. You will want a chair that is fully adjustable so you can find the perfect position to keep you pain-free. This means the back, headrest, and height should all be adjustable, to ensure you get the right ergonomic support while you work. 
Research has found that people tend to move and fidget a lot when they work. This is thought to actually improve productivity because it occupies parts of your brain that are inactive, preventing boredom. This is why it can be useful to incorporate movement into your office. A good way to do this is by choosing a swivel chair with flexible arms and back so it adapts to your natural movement.
OPTIMIZE YOUR SPACE
Having to spend more time at home and sharing that limited space with family, partners, or roommates, we need to optimize the available space, in the best way possible. An easy way to do this is partitioning off or zoning our interior between various activities or different times of the day. You can create digital detox zones by using this “broken-plan” layout, sectioning space out with curtains, screens, and plants in the absence of walls.
Bookcases can also represent a perfect way to display an array of items that will give your space personality while having a functional role as well. If your office has lots of natural light, consider adding a potted plant for some greenery and natural touch. The best part about bookcases is that you can easily add or take away whatever you want to, and that way keep it flexible and interesting. It’s those little details like seeing your favorite books, plants, or family photos that can give you a much-needed boost of inspiration and joy during a long working day. 
LIGHTING CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
Our living spaces have been repurposed to meet the growing requirements of an active home that is now forced to function as a home office, gym, playground for kids, home theater, and everything in between. At the same time it needs to be comfortable enough for lounging, relaxing, cooking, and other daily activities.
Good lighting is crucial in making you feel well at home and creating a cozy atmosphere that will make the transition between working and relaxing easy. Choose a light that will bring warmth into the room and a sense of reassuring comfort to any living-working space. You need enough light to work, but it needs to be diffused so that you don’t have glare on your screen. Natural light is preferable but it may not be possible to get adequate light in all rooms. If this is the case, invest in adjustable lamps so that you can direct the light towards your desk when working. Today there are so many options of lampshades, statement lights, pendants, and luminaires that can achieve the perfect result you are aiming for while beautifying the space and adding interest to the room. We are sure you can find just the perfect lighting solution to fit your specific needs and add that finishing touch to your home office design. 
BRING INDOORS OUT
Balconies and gardens have seen increased use since there was forced limited use of public space during this health crisis. These spaces can provide a natural extension of our living spaces, suitable for eating, relaxing, reading, and even working in the warmer months.
Choose furniture that helps you extend your indoor space to the outdoors- which will allow you to do some work outside. Decorate the space to be cozy, vibrant, and comfortable-it’s sure to increase your productivity and elevate your mood.
If you have a balcony, you should consider putting your home office there. It is a great way to enjoy the weather while you work from home. You will also be able to get some fresh air which can increase your productivity. And if you are feeling claustrophobic, the open space will provide a welcome change from being cooped up inside all day. A balcony home office is a great solution for those that like to work outside. It’s private and protected, but still accessible enough for someone to come talk to you at any point in time. Plus, it’s nice to get fresh air from time to time! Many people are turning their balconies into home offices because it is a convenient way to make use of the extra space. The balcony is a great location for an office because it can be used in all four seasons and doesn’t require any major renovations. It is also a great place to work if you live on the top floor of your building since there are no external distractions coming from other apartments or neighbors.
ORGANIZATION IS A MUST
There is nothing more frustrating than not being able to find what you need at a moment’s notice. Organizations are key in a home office, no matter how challenging it can be to keep a well-used space tidy at all times. Nowadays it’s easy to find a range of solutions to keep your space tidy. Vertical storage is an amazing way to use wall space and keep it efficient. Uncluttered surfaces are great for increasing productivity, however, it can’t hurt to let your personality show through in the space.
When it comes to your home office you should look for file storage that is more like a piece of beautiful furniture and less like a basic, metal filing cabinet. Features like gorgeous carving on drawers, sturdy wood construction, and sleek hardware will elevate your home office design to the next level.
If you are looking for organizational ideas, tips, and tricks for your apartment or kitchen renovation, check out our blog.
STYLE IS NOT FRIVOLOUS
At the office, your workspace usually has to reflect the design style of your company, but in your home office, you can afford to let your imagination run wild. The best thing you can do is invest in making that space feel reflective of your personality, inspiring, and cozy. There is no better way to make yourself feel good than showing up to work first thing in the morning and then seeing those little personal touches in your home office space.
You will want to keep video meetings in mind, though, when choosing your aesthetic. Your workspace can send important signals about who you are and how you approach your work. It’s worth designing your workspace to articulate who you are as an individual as well as a professional. In other words, now might be the time to invest in that piece of art or fancy sculpture you’ve been eyeing. You can find tons of ideas on our renovation blog.
RETHINKING YOUR APARTMENT LAYOUT? CHECK OUT ATMOSPHERE KITCHEN AND BATH SERVICES
If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen, bath, or home office to fit into your new lifestyle and need assistance from a company that can help guide you toward making the best decisions for your kitchen space-Atmosphere is the way to go! With a two-decade-long experience in building and renovating NYC properties, we are prepared to take on any project. Atmosphere’s team offers advice and guidance through the selection process for all products needed to achieve your preferred look, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Providing on-staff tradesmen to meticulously execute your ideas, supplying all materials including plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinet lines, flooring, and tiles-we will be there for you from conception to completion. So, come and meet us in our amazing 4.000-square-foot showroom, in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper West Side. We’re excited to hear about your project!
