Plan Your Office Design To Increase Productivity

I've been working on a new office space at home and have been looking at the best ways to design the space in order to be as productive as possible throughout the day. As a full-time professional freelance designer and writer, my livelihood depends on my ability to produce high-quality work sometimes within very short timeframes. Having a space that allows me to maintain a high level of productivity is essential to both my professional and personal success.

Here are some things that I've learned that can help to easily turn your workspace into a comfortable, inviting space that allows for productive workflow.

Comfort

Your chances of churning out high-quality work rise substantially if you're comfortable in your own office. Ensure that your office space is well ventilated. A window is ideal, however, if your office lacks a window, use plants to promote airflow. Leave your office open to keep it from feeling like you're closed in or trapped. In addition, ergonomics should be a high priority. Invest in an ergonomic office chair, keyboard and mouse. As someone who sits at my desk for more than 10 hours a day, I can't tell you how important it is to have a good chair. It will change your life (and the way your body feels at the end of the day!). Good lighting is also essential to avoid eyestrain while sitting in front of a computer. Get both a desk lamp and an overhead light for a well-lit office.

Color Therapy

Choose a subdued, cool color for your office that promotes tranquility and focus. Colors such as light blue, green, or white tend to encourage effectiveness, so they'd be ideal color choices for your office. Stay away from warm and dark colors. Avoid colors such as orange, red, and magenta. These colors are very distracting and heavy on the eyes.

Aesthetics

Though most people don't want to admit it, the aesthetic appeal of your office space is an important factor in determining your level of efficiency and even overall happiness while working. Create a space that makes you feel comfortable, happy and proud to be in. Wall colors, plants, the finish of furniture, lighting and window treatments all play a vital role in the aesthetics of your office space.

Efficiency

If you must get up from your seat and walk across the room, you'll interrupt your work focus. Items that you need to access regularly during the day should be just a desk chair roll away. Make it a point to keep needed items within arm's reach like your printer, planner, phone, file cabinet and other commonly used tools or documents. The strategic placement of these items maintains an uninterrupted focus that'll shave valuable time off of your routine each day.

Personality

You spend a great amount of time in your office every day. Therefore, it's important that you feel as if the space is personal to you. Personalize your office by hanging artwork that you find inspiring, adding pops of color that make you happy, or even personal photos. These simple injections of personality will create a feeling that you're spending time at your home away from home, which is true since most of us will spend at least 40 hours a week in our work space! Make it an inviting space by incorporating your favorite colors, beautiful plants and pictures that make you happy.

Optimizing the design of your workspace will promote effectiveness and productivity throughout your day. Whether you're self-employed, working remotely, or in an office all day, a comfortable work space is an essential factor in your potential for success.