With more people working from home than ever before, the home office is becoming a vital must-have. Whether you’re a remote worker for a large firm or you’re an entrepreneur who’s working from home to reduce startup costs, your home office needs to be as professional as possible. While comfort is a prime concern, if you're inviting clients or investors into your workspace, then you want it to look as on-brand as you can make it. When you want to convey your professional credentials in person or even via a videoconference, here are some of the best ways to add a touch of vital professionalism to your home office.
Design your home office so that it makes as much use of natural light as possible. Not only does this look more professional, but it’s also great for productivity and mental health. There are plenty of ways to give your natural light a boost, but you should certainly make sure that your desk is not automatically relegated to the gloomiest and darkest corner in the room. Get your desk close to the window and invest in some blinds or shutters. These give you a lot more control over your natural light levels, and with the sheer range of potential options from sites like Shuttercraft.co.uk, you get to match your window decoration to the rest of your stylish and professional home office.
Clutter is not very professional and needs to be limited as much as possible. One of the biggest clutter issues in a home office is paper, so make sure that you have a filing cabinet that matches your paper volume. You might also look at an in/out tray so that you don’t have paperwork constantly spread out all over your desk. If yours is the type of home office that has books on show, a bookcase is going to be essential. Make sure that you invest in a bookcase that is the right size for your number of books. An overstuffed bookshelf is untidy and chaotic, while an overly empty bookcase takes up unnecessary space. Bookcases look great placed behind your desk, especially if you're doing a lot of videoconferences.
Having some plant life in an office has been proven to make people happier and more productive. Plants also improve air quality, so it’s always a good idea to have some greenery in your home. For a home office, they can be transformative. The best thing about plants is that there are so many varieties, meaning that you can pick the size, shape, and qualities to match your needs. You can even choose the indoor plants that need the least amount of looking after so that you can spend more time on your workload and less time on horticultural distractions.
If you have potential clients or investors visiting your home office, then you can demonstrate your skill sets immediately by displaying your credentials. Some people are wary of doing this as they feel it can be a little too forward, but your expertise should be nothing to be ashamed of. If you have academic qualifications or practical courses that you have achieved good marks on, get them framed and get them on the wall. Make sure that your frames match the rest of the decor and colour schemes in your home workspace and you will only enhance their impact.
This isn’t an option that will suit everyone, but it’s certainly something to consider if you have the space and the budget. A statement desk (also known as an ‘executive desk’) is one that is larger and more ornate than the standard fare that you’d find in Ikea. They can make a real impact and can have a dramatic effect on your professional impression. The high quality of the materials and the range of unique features that they come with can be both indulgent and practical. Of course, not all home offices will suit a statement desk, but if you do decide to invest in one, then make sure that you also pay serious consideration to both productivity and comfort. Check the height of the desk, the storage capabilities, and that you can get an ergonomic chair that won’t clash with the desk.
While you want them to be hidden out of view, you never want to run out of office essentials when you have an investor with you. Even if you don't intend to have visitors to your office, you will still want to minimise workflow interruptions because you've run out of paper for the printer or you just misplaced your last pen. From pens and scissors to staplers and stamps, keep all of your useful stationery and office supplies stocked up as much as possible. When you see that something is getting low, then order it as soon as possible before it skips your mind.
This is something that will come down to your way of working. Many people with a more stylish home office will race to make sure that they have a coffee machine installed as soon as possible. This is very convenient and is great if you do have potential clients visit and you don’t want to leave the room to prepare drinks. However, it’s also essential to factor in the reality that you can’t work full-time in your home office without taking breaks. Working too long means that you lose focus, and that affects productivity. Make sure that you have everything that you need in your office, but that you still have a reason to take a break, stretch your legs, and refresh your mind.
Home offices can have a massive effect on productivity, and getting a professional look is easier than ever. Look at your home office setup and make sure that it’s not somewhere that you'd be embarrassed to bring a fresh new investor. If your office isn’t up to the expected level of professionalism, then it’s time to start making some changes.