Home Office Setup: Separate Space Needed?

Working from home has become a common aspect of daily life, with more and more people working remotely full-time or splitting their time between home and the office. A key concern for those working from home is the constant distraction of their home life infiltrating their workspace. One way to achieve a more balanced work and home life is to separate the home office from the rest of the home.

A separate home office provides privacy and quiet and draws a clear line between work and home life, helping individuals to focus with fewer distractions. However, not everyone has the space for a separate home office, so what are the alternatives?

The benefits of a separate home office

Working from home has become a common aspect of daily life, with many people working remotely full-time or part-time. While working from home has its benefits, it can also be challenging to separate work life from home life. Here are some advantages of having a separate home office:

Improved Focus and Productivity

A separate home office provides a dedicated workspace, reducing distractions from personal life and helping you stay focused. It allows you to create a work-only zone, making it easier to enter a work mindset and mentally leave work behind at the end of the day.

Better Organisation and Discipline

Having a separate room for your office enables you to design a space that suits your professional needs. You can organise your office tools and resources, improving efficiency and productivity. A dedicated office space also encourages discipline by setting physical and mental boundaries between work and personal life.

Enhanced Comfort and Health

Ergonomic office furniture, such as adjustable standing desks and comfortable chairs, can help improve your posture and reduce aches and pains associated with working from home. A separate home office allows you to choose furniture that suits your body and supports your spine, neck, and joints.

Increased Flexibility and Time Savings

With a separate home office, you save time and money on commuting and gain flexibility. You no longer need to dress in work attire or commute to an office, giving you more time to focus on work tasks and personal activities.

Improved Work-Life Balance

A separate home office helps you mentally disconnect from work when your workday is done. It allows you to create a physical barrier between your work and personal life, making it easier to turn your work mode on and off.

Additional Benefits

A separate home office can also increase the value of your home, provide tax benefits in some cases, and improve your home's functionality by designating a specific space for work.

How to create a separate space without a separate room

Whether you're working with a studio apartment or a house with multiple rooms, there are ways to create a separate home office without building a separate room. Here are some tips to help you create a distinct workspace:

• Use room dividers: Freestanding room dividers such as folding screens, curtains, or bookshelves can help create a visual and physical barrier between your home office and the rest of your space. Room dividers can be easily moved or removed, making them a flexible option.
• Arrange your furniture: Strategically arrange your furniture to create distinct zones within your space. For example, place the backs of sofas and chairs towards the rest of the room to signal a separate area. You can also use furniture such as a console table behind a sofa to add height and definition to your workspace.
• Use rugs: Area rugs can help establish distinct spaces within an open floor plan. They add softness and visual interest while helping to define different zones, such as a living room and dining area.
• Install a curtain: Hanging curtains from the ceiling is a budget-friendly and DIY-friendly way to split a large space into separate zones. You can choose opaque curtains for more privacy or sheer curtains to maintain a sense of airiness and light.
• Add a ceiling treatment: A decorative ceiling treatment, such as a geometric pattern or painted inset, can visually separate different areas of your room. This adds a sense of intimacy and character to your workspace.
• Use contrasting colours: Using contrasting colours to define different zones within your space can be an effective way to create a sense of separation. For example, paint the walls behind your kitchen cupboards in a bold shade to separate the kitchen from the dining area.
• Create a kitchen island: A kitchen island can help section off the 'working' part of the kitchen from areas for eating, socialising, or working. It provides a central focal point and offers multiple functionalities, including storage and informal dining.
• Use transforming furniture: Furniture with space-saving superpowers, such as a Murphy bed or a folding dining table, can help maximise your space and create distinct zones. For example, a Murphy bed can be pulled down over a sofa to create a separate sleeping area when needed.
• Add under-bed storage: Platform beds with built-in storage drawers can help separate your bedroom from the living room by lifting the mattress above the floor. This creates the illusion of separate spaces while providing additional storage.
• Use a desk to divide space: A desk can be used as a room divider, especially when paired with a glass or patterned desktop that allows light to pass through. It creates a visual barrier while maintaining a sense of openness.

The importance of a designated workspace

Working from home has become a common aspect of daily life. However, working from home can be challenging due to distractions, noise, and the lack of a clear boundary between work and personal life. Therefore, having a designated workspace is essential for maintaining productivity, focus, and a healthy work-life balance.

Improved Focus and Productivity

Having a separate workspace allows individuals to concentrate better and reduces distractions. A designated area, preferably a separate room, provides privacy and a quiet environment, enabling individuals to focus solely on their tasks.

Mental Association with Work

Our environment plays a crucial role in shaping our state of mind. By having a designated workspace, individuals can develop a mental association between that space and work. This mental association helps individuals get into a "work zone" and improves productivity by triggering a work mindset when they enter that specific area.

Work-Life Balance

A designated workspace helps establish a clear boundary between work and personal life. Having a separate room or area for work allows individuals to mentally enter and exit the "work zone," promoting a healthier balance between work and personal time.

Well-Being and Comfort

Ergonomic and comfortable furniture, such as adjustable chairs and standing desks, are essential for maintaining physical health and comfort during long work hours. Additionally, a well-designed workspace with adequate lighting, plants, and personalized touches can enhance overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Collaboration and Innovation

An open office layout or a shared workspace can foster collaboration and innovation by encouraging communication and the exchange of ideas. This type of environment can also make employees feel more accessible and connected to their colleagues and management.

Efficiency and Organization

A designated workspace promotes efficiency by providing a dedicated area for work-related tools, documents, and equipment. A well-organized and clutter-free space saves time and reduces stress, enabling individuals to locate resources quickly and complete tasks more efficiently.

In conclusion, a designated workspace is vital for creating a productive, focused, and balanced work environment. It helps individuals stay organized, enhances well-being, and allows for better separation between work and personal life, ultimately contributing to a more positive and successful work experience.

Decorating your chosen space

When it comes to decorating your chosen space, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the colour and lighting of the room are important. Brighter, cooler tones tend to be more relaxing, while bright reds and oranges can make a room feel more urgent. You should also try to make the space easy to keep clean, as a home office can quickly become cluttered.

If you are working with a separate room, you have more flexibility with your design choices. You could go for a minimalist design, which is good for productivity, or a comfortable design with soft colours and blankets and back-supporting pillows, which is better for long work hours. If you work in a creative field, you might want an inspiring design with bright wall colours, eclectic furniture, large wall art, and speakers for music.

If you are sharing the space with someone else, it is a good idea to stick to neutral colours and themes. You can still personalise your own workstation with items that inspire you. If the space is also used by children, you might want to blend styles, incorporating comfort, inspiration, and fun.

Regardless of the design you choose, there are some basic furniture items you will need. These include a sturdy desk, a comfortable chair, good lighting, adequate shelving, and wall decor.

For your desk, you could opt for a floating desk, a writing desk, a storage desk, a two-person desk, or a standing desk. For your chair, comfort and back support are key. You could go for a vintage chair, a rolling chair, a high-top stool, or a contemporary armchair.

To enhance the lighting in your space, you might want to add a desk lamp or a floor lamp, in addition to overhead lighting.

For storage, you could use bookcases, overhead cabinets, or floating shelves to utilise vertical space and add more decorations.

Finally, to decorate the walls, you could hang bold artwork, framed photos, or a chalkboard. You could also add a bulletin board, a cork board, or a wire grid for both decoration and extra storage.

Furnishing your chosen space

Now that you've chosen your space, it's time to furnish it. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Functionality First: When designing your home office, always put functionality first. Consider your workflow and how you can design a space that accommodates it. Do you have enough desk space? Is your storage easily accessible? Is your workstation set up with good ergonomics?
• Get Creative with Storage: Think outside the box when it comes to storage solutions. For example, you can use a small cabinet as a side table and a charging station for your devices.
• Invest in a Quality Office Chair: A comfortable chair is essential for long workdays. Look for something with good lumbar support and adjustability options.
• Let There Be Light: Lighting is crucial in a home office. Aim for a mix of natural light and adjustable artificial lighting to avoid eye strain.
• Add Some Green: Bring in some greenery to brighten up the space and keep you connected to nature.
• Get Inspired: Display items that inspire you, whether it's artwork, family photos, or awards.
• Keep it Tidy: Use organisational tools that work for you and keep clutter at bay.
• Make it Personal: Add some personal touches to make the space your own. Whether it's a cosy rug, a meaningful piece of artwork, or a primping mirror for those last-minute Zoom calls, make sure your office feels like an extension of your home.

Frequently asked questions