www.womanthismonth.com 67 March 2014 What’s your style? Depending on your lifestyle and character, there are two ways to set up shop — behind closed doors or an open study. If you can expect your partner to respect your privacy and you don’t have kids hollering around the house, an open office space is recommended. Not only does it save a spare room, it is more appealing. However, if you need to entirely switch off from your personal life and focus or need to feel like you ‘left’ work when you’re done, build an office behind doors. Whichever style you choose, we suggest a trial period of one month. Before moving furniture or investing in desks, try working in the chosen space for 30 days. This gives you the time to find out if the allotted area is in fact ‘work friendly’. It could be too noisy or too quiet, too hot or too cold, too bright or too dull. It’s your world The best part about setting up an office at home is that you can mould it into exactly what you need. There’s no need to adjust to anything. If you prefer working standing up (since sitting apparently kills you now), build a stand-up desk! If a traditional desk set-up is what you need, then take advantage of the corners in your home. At Woman This Month, windows are mandatory. Simply shut the blinds if you want to rid yourself of distractions. The real investment for the perfect office is an ergonomically correct chair. Save yourself trips to the doctor and masseuse by avoiding bad posture and strain injuries. Never settle for anything less — your back deserves a throne! The essentials Do you know what makes all those blog inspiration posts so pretty? A clutter-free environment! You need to assign a place for everything. More importantly, decide what makes it to your office space and what doesn’t. For a tidy working space, you need shelves above or next to your desk. Adjustable or open cabinets help keep things organised. Look for items that don’t look messy out in the open — folders, files and pen holders. (Read our tips section for more storage ideas.) We think bookshelves are the best accessory to any room. Lighting is a crucial element of an office space. If it isn’t bright enough, invest in additional sources of light — even a small table lamp makes a big difference. Revisiting our concept of ‘window therapy’, it is a known fact that natural light can improve your mood. The add-ons What many people tend to forget and underestimate are the demands of gadgets. Wiring and power points need to be looked at in advance to avoid an unkempt set of extension cords and visible sockets. Think about it; you’ve got wires that need to be connected to the computer, printer, phone, router and maybe even a camera. Whether you have a whole room to yourself or a section of another, it helps to separate this area from the rest. The easiest ways to do this are a paint job and different flooring. While you opt for function, don’t neglect the style factor. Personal touches like photographs and souvenirs from trips help as well. Get creative and install some art on the walls. You can even consider putting up a pin board. Lastly, get some greenery. House plants that are impossible to kill can be found at your local supermarket. We recommend Glasshouse Terrariums, which offer pretty gardens in a bottle. These ‘glasshouses’ are minimalist and the plants are easy to care for. Greenery reduces stress levels and increases productivity. House of Fraser Roche Bobois
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