Working at home most certainly has its perks. There’s the chance of a lie-in, no commuting nightmares and the opportunity to create a space which compliments your working habits while providing optimal comfort. However, working from home also poses the risk of procrastinating, distractions and a decline in productivity.

Fear not. There is a way for employees, whether they are freelancers, self-employed or simply want to build and decorate a modest yet efficient office for work-at-home days, to work at home and provide similar results as if they were in a legit office environment.

Here’s a guide on how to create a home office that will generate creativity and efficiency while also looking great.

Look for Inspiration

Before embarking on the ordeal and long-winded process of building or turning a pre-existing room into an office, make sure you know what you exactly want or need. It may be both inefficient and upsetting if you end up creating a space you cannot stand to work in because you chose the wrong chair, wall color or PC, with mistakes that may cost a fair amount to repair or change.

Sites such as Pinterest can offer an abundance of images which are at your disposal, making it easy to collect and use as a reference point.

Have a Comfortable Space

Like most offices nowadays, there is a space for employees to work and a separate space for them to unwind during lunch breaks. Sitting at a desk all day can not only cause physical pain, but it can also hinder a person’s mental health. Therefore, in your home office, make sure to have a comfy sofa where you can take breaks and a table for coffee and books.

Although many may think their pre-existing living rooms are a good enough place for them to relax, they can cause unproductive behaviours and temptations. Your hour-long lunch may turn into an hour and a half because you sat down to watch some TV, whereas a designated comfy space does not pose any distractions except the ones you place.

Embrace Natural Light

Natural light can work wonders for a person’s mental health and productivity, and is especially important to those workers spending their day staring at a computer screen. Not only does artificial light create eye strain and dry eyes, but it also leads to absenteeism. Therefore, having multiple windows which bring in a lot of natural light may stop workers from getting tired, becoming hurt and increase productivity as they are less likely to fall ill. Therefore, make sure to have an office placed in a well-lit room.

Large windows also allow the opportunity for fresh air and can rid any stagnancy in your home office. Sometimes, sitting in one place for some time without an open window can make you tired; therefore, ensuring you have windows that open is the perfect solution. If you have window placed up high, make sure to incorporate window actuators.

If Money is No Option

If you have the available funds to build a home office in your garden, this is a perfect opportunity. Not only does it mean you work at home, but it also offers the ability to have a professional office space without the risk of distractions.