More and more people are working from home, especially since the advent of COVID-19. The problem is, though, that many people, having been suddenly thrust into a work-from-home situation, have had to improvise and have a less-than-ideal workspace at home. But if you’re buying a new home, you have a chance to set up your new home office exactly the way you want and need it to be. Still, there are a lot of possibilities and a lot to consider. To help you out, then, we offer these 5 tips for creating the ultimate home office in your new Martinsburg and Hagerstown home.
1. Choose the Right Room/Space for Your Home Office
Maybe the most important part of creating the ultimate home office in your new Martinsburg and Hagerstown home has to do with choosing the right room. The two most important factors to consider in choosing the right room for your home office are noise and traffic.
You wouldn’t, for example, want your home office in a room close to the street where you’ll be bombarded with traffic noise all day. Also, you probably don’t want your office near the kitchen where inside-the-house traffic will be high.
So if you’re still at the house-hunting stage, talk to your [market-city] agent about this. Your agent can help you find houses with a room suitably locate for a home office. To discover more about how an agent can assist you, call 3017071678.
2. Include a Comfort Zone
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Similarly, keeping your nose to the grindstone nonstop can decrease productivity and creativity. That’s why your home office should include a “comfort zone.”
Here’s why including a home office comfort zone in your new Martinsburg and Hagerstown home is important: “Your desk is for active work, but you probably need a place to think or read, too. A great home office has a nice comfy chair for curling up – potentially with an ottoman for your feet – plus a table for your coffee and a great lamp. Add a luxurious throw and a colorful pillow and you’ll want to take thinking breaks. A comfort zone is the overlooked perk of the home office . . . If you’ve got the room for it, it is one of the best things you can do for yourself.”
3. Consider Storage
And, of course, you’ll need storage. You certainly don’t want papers scattered all over your home office, which usually happens when people don’t strategically plan for storage, and filing cabinets aren’t very attractive. So what’s the solution?
Experts on setting up a home office suggest that if you’re the sort who needs to see something to remember it, “try wall storage: magazine type racks, or children’s library-style display shelves. If you need bookcases, get nice ones – big enough that you don’t need to overstuff, and artful enough that they’ll look great as the backdrop in your video conferences. And if you’re using the guest bedroom? It probably has a closet. Trick out that closet with a shelving system, so you minimize the need for storage in the main office area.”
4. Get the Right Equipment (But Not Too Much)
Every home office will need a certain minimum of office equipment. The right equipment will maximize your efficiency, but you also don’t want your work area crowded with gadgets – like a big, bulky color copier – that you’ll seldom if ever use.
Basic home office equipment will typically include:
- Desk and chair
- Laptop
- Dedicated phone line (with messaging and conferencing capabilities)
- Comfort zone (as indicated above)
- Small items like paper, pens, paper clips, and so on
And insurance for your office equipment is also a good idea. You can get special coverage for home workers from most insurers. The peace of mind will be worth the extra cost.
5. Let There Be Light
You have to have good lighting, too. It will elevate your mood and enhance your productivity.
Natural lighting in your Martinsburg and Hagerstown home office is best. “Good lighting is essential. Ideally, you want as much natural daylight as possible. If your space has a window, it will enhance the lighting. Daylight is the most evenly balanced source of white light available. . . It is always beneficial to have as much natural light as possible in the working area.”
If natural light isn’t an option, you might consider “daylight-replicating light sources that will provide energy-efficient, full-spectrum lighting.” Task-specific lighting will also be important. Just make sure not to place overhead lighting directly above your computer screen in order to avoid screen glare.
Creating the ultimate home office in your new Martinsburg and Hagerstown home will take some thought and careful planning. The right home in the right location will be your first consideration. And that’s where your Martinsburg and Hagerstown agent can be a huge asset. So take the best first step: contact one of our experienced agents at 3017071678.