According to the U.S. Department of labor more than a quarter of Americans work from home and this number is steadily rising. With this in mind, I want to share ideas to create efficient work spaces for both homes and professional offices. The best offices minimize distractions, feel comfortable, and promote productivity.
My case study this week is my husband Brad’s two offices (one at home) where he works as a mortgage loan officer. In both spaces we carefully considered Brad’s video backdrop, because he frequently communicates digitally. Plants, furniture, lighting, and decorations all add visual interest. Our goal was to subconsciously direct people’s attention to Brad’s educational value, so books on a ladder bookshelf play a central role. Also, because Brad is 6’5” we have made many accommodations to support height ergonomics.
My first general office recommendation is to have PLANTS. Dr Chris Knight studied the effects of plants in work environments for 10 years and concluded that employees were 15% more productive when "lean" workplaces are transformed with just a few houseplants (see “Positively Planting It”).
Next, I think about the purpose of each office and the message it can convey. What vision is working to be achieved in the space? Can books deliver a focus on education and teaching? Can art direct attention to the subject matter? Can clean minimalist looks lend themselves to a streamlined focused feel?
The KonMari method encourages people to keep offices clean and clutter free, but my favorite piece of advice from Marie Kondo is to keep offices joyful by adding playful touches as you tidy. We did this in Brad’s office by adding “toys” like adult puzzles and fidget games. Also, Brad says his plants and photos of the family bring him lots of joy.
Marie Kondo suggests that the average office takes about 6 hours to organize. She goes on to explain how this time investment pays back, “The average person spends about 30 minutes a day searching for things, while people who misplace a lot can spend as much as two hours a day. If a person works twenty days a month, this means he or she is wasting up to forty hours a month just looking for things. If you can solve this problem in a mere six hours, the return on your time investment will be both dramatic and immediate. With a tidy desk that brings you joy; your work efficiency is bound to increase!”
Location, location, location… choosing the ideal place for an office is the first key to a productive work environment. For a home office, having a separate room with a door is crucial for satisfaction. From a Feng Shui perspective, rooms in the front of the home (especially South facing), where things are most active, make ideal offices. I find it best to trust my gut about where it feels best to work, and often ask my clients to do the same. What space feels the best as a work environment???
If your office has a dual function (like serving as a guest room), there should be no ambiguity about the main function of the area. A small bed, murphy bed, or futon can provide extra seating for the office and be converted for guests when the occasion arises, but big beds tend to take over the room and should be avoided. Also, if your office is located in a “public” room (like living or dining area) it is important to put your work away when finished, so you can relax without viewing active projects. Room screens or solid cabinets can hide work stations. The one area off limits for an office is the master bedroom. Bedrooms are a place of rest, rejuvenation, and often romance… not a place for work.
Lighting is a special consideration in work environments. In Feng Shui That Makes Sense, Cathleen McCandless says, “Sitting under fluorescent or partial spectrum lighting for long periods of time can cause eyestrain, an inability to concentrate, and depression, which all affect productivity.” Natural light and full spectrum light bulbs in desk lamps and task lighting will make all the difference.
For placing desks within an office, I recommend the Command position, pictured here...
Feng Shui That Makes Sense describes this as, “The Command Position in any room is the corner located diagonally across from the main door. The Command position is sometimes called the Power Position in Feng Shui. Both descriptions are correct and hinge on Basic Principle #1: Protect your back.” Having a sight line of the door allows people to relax and concentrate. If you cannot see the door from your desk, consider placing a small mirror strategically to observe the door.
Ergonomically correct furniture is also essential for creating a successful work environment. Risers can be used for desk and computers to position things properly. Built in desks often limit configurations and force people to face the wall, so a freestanding desk is ideal. Cabinets with solid doors hide clutter and offer a streamlined look. Avoid tall furniture as it can create a feeling of uneasiness to have heavy objects looming overhead. A supportive chair can transform any office space into a more productive work environment.
As you organize your office area, I highly recommend becoming a badass junk filter. To me, this means ruthless screening. For technology, I keep only current cords and electronics and dispose of the rest according to type (see “Getting Rid of Weird Waste”). I digitize and dispose of most paper utilizing my phone and email account to save things for reference. I don’t bring mail in the house unless it requires action. I consider most magazines a wasteful spending temptation. I politely refuse bags, receipts, flyers, brochures, and programs (or I give them back after reading). I have an “in/out” spot for paperwork (my laptop bag), which I frequently and clean out. I have signed up for paperless and auto pay billing. Brad and I have two businesses and relatively complex taxes, yet my simple filing system fits in one small cabinet and holds all necessary papers for the whole family.
Finally, I want to qoute my favorite show, “The Office” and one of my favorite movies, “Office Space” on the topic of offices…
“An office is for not dying, an office is a place to live life to the fullest, to the max, to… An office is a place where dreams come true.”
– Michael Scott (Steve Carell), The Office
“We don’t have a lot of time on this Earth! We weren’t meant to spend it this way! Human beings were not meant to sit in little cubicles staring at computer screens all day, filling out useless forms and listening to eight different bosses drone on about mission statements!”
– Peter, Office Space
Love Always,
Meg
Comments