How To Even Start Setting Up YOUR Home Office?
I know this sounds like a pretty basic – setting up your home office involves finding a space, setting up a desk and getting to work.
Oh how I wish it was that easy.
The reality is setting up a home office is more than ‘just that’.
The reality is that if you don’t understand the ‘why’ you need a work space you are at risk of a few things – all of which are probably already occurring in your home.
Your Work Space will not be efficient work zone if it turns into a…..
- Dumping ground of laundry and other stuff….the new treadmill laundry hanger
- A hang out space for the family
- Fancy 5-Star Dog Bed
- Distraction Zone
- Anti-Zen
Before you move your furniture around and claim a spot in your home I encourage you to sit down and come up with a plan.
Your Home Office – Consider the Following:
- What do you need the space for?
- Is this for a current job, a new job, a new career, or maybe you have always wanted to be crafter?? Could happen lol.
- What will you be doing in the space?
- Reading, Writing, and/or Talking?
- Will you be inviting clients or others into your space?
- What type of privacy needs to you need?
- Will you be taking calls – Conference calls, video conferencing?
- Will you need to buy new, or used, or have enough in your home to re-purpose – aka do you need a budget?
Understanding exactly what you will be doing in the space will help you identify how much space you need, and how to set up the room to align to its purpose.
Your space will be so much more ‘real’ to your business when it is set up with logic, consideration and absolute purpose.
Time to Take Action:
It is time to find and claim that space that will be yours – your home office – your creative space – your sanctuary away from your home life.
Let’s assume you have picked your space…..
Your Space has been Picked – Whoop!
Welcome to your new’ish Home Office – lets’ get you settled.
Oh but the room is filled with kids toys, the stuff you were trying to tell on eBay and your partners old university text books….shitballs. 🤦♀️
To kick off the non-reno of your space you need a Blank Slate – get it?? Lol.
First Step: The Purge
You really do need a blank slate – so let’s start off this process by taking out everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – out of the room.
If there is ‘stuff’ that has no purpose – sell it, donate it, or recycle it. Do not try and make it work in another room. If you haven’t touched in over three months consider why you still have it? Do you really still ‘need’ it?
Tip: Do not reno anything at this time. I would even suggest any purchases are kept an extreme minimum. Right now you are just starting out and if you spend time reno’ing you are avoiding getting down to the real work. Focus on the business and if one of your goals is to have the Big Boy/Girl office – add it to your long term goals.
Tip: Selling stuff – If you have priced it to sell – it will sell. If it doesn’t sell then it is time to donate it – or last ditch effort drop the price by more than 25%. Your goal is to get it out of your office – not to make a fortune on your unwanted ‘stuff’. Consider donating any bigger piece of furniture – there are a lot of people out there that need gently used furniture that are willing to come and pick it up.
Blank Slate – Blank Space
Oh a Blank Slate just makes me happy – and trust me once the room (future home office) is empty you will feel what I am feeling.
Second Step: Cleaning
Time to get cleaning – roll up your sleeves and put on some crappy clothes. Wipe down the walls, the floors and the baseboards. Most likely the room hasn’t been deep cleaned in a while, and it probably won’t be for a while. Gett’er done. Add music to the cleaning process – make it at least somewhat enjoyable (if this is not your thing).
Third: Floor Plan Set Up
Tip/Opinion?My two cents: Less is more.
I hate clutter – it is distracting and just uggg.
When you have your space cleaned out it is now time to take some measurements. If you are re-using furniture try mapping it out on a picece of paper before you haul in anything into your space. I encourage you to keep your space super simple – light and airy is trendy and of course practical.
Basic Furniture Requirements:
KISS – A desk, chair, shelving, and a storage cabinet. If you are having visitors in your space consider adding a small sitting area of two additional chairs, coffee table and foot stool will be needed (and yes a footstool – trust me).
Do NOT clutter your space with furniture you don’t know where else to put. If it doesn’t have a purpose in another room – it has no place in your space.
Tip: When you move everything into your space consider that you should have a minimum of 55% white / used space on your floor, and 65% on your desk. Book Shelves – I would argue the same rules apply. Too many books look cluttered and stuffy, and too many chalkskies looks tacky. Keep it simple.
Step 4: Let’s Fill Up that Desk (School Supplies)
With the your home office set up now it is time to put in the tools to be able to do the work. Don’t break the bank on this – look around the house or ask friends for unused office supplies (or school supplies).
If you do need to go shopping I highly recommend getting the most awesome pen ✍️you can find – no reason, just do it because you can! You are no longer pulling from the corporate supply closet anymore so take them time to choose your business tools that rock your world.
Home Office Supplies – Your Check List (suggested):
- Dedicated work space (desk/table)
- Great awesome comfy you want to work-in chair
- Laptop – including a mouse and headphones
- File Cabinet – this will keep your ‘files’ organized & privacy
- Paper – Journals, Note books, post-it notes, your favorite pen/pencil, and stapler (preferably red).
- One White or Chalk or Cork Board – Whatever you prefer
- Other must haves
- Kleenex box
- Clock
- Water Cup – Reusable please.
- Something dorky and arty (Something that inspires you or makes you smile) – two items max
If room supports the room:
- Two additional chillin’ chairs
- One coffee table
- One or two foot stools
- Rug – light in colour, and non-distracting
- Art – Inspirational and subtle
- Speaker – Gotta have some tunes
- Plant(s) – Greenery add airiness and fresheness…and looks amazing (don’t over do it, and if it dies take it out!)
Step 5: Walls
Here’s the thing – the walls of your Home Office do need some attention, but you don’t want to clutter this space either. On my walls I have two art piece’s (under $200), and my Blank Slate Chalk Board. Oh and I have some art my friend’s kids did – which I absolutely adore. Your art and your walls is all about personal preference.
Tip: Stick to a 65%-75% white space rule for your walls. You don’t want too much distraction on your walls – inspirational art.
Having a Chalk, Cork or White Board is encouraged – but not necessary. They can be expensive and can end-up being messy too. If you can keep it clean and clutter free then post it up. These boards are FABULOUS for posting your daily goals, or brainstorming ideas for you or your business. But when the task is done – the board should be cleaned off.
Suggestion: For your Art frame up your Long Term Goals. This is a great opportunity to post this up on your wall. If you have clients that are coming to your office space you may want to reconsider posting, however maybe you do want them to see what you are working towards.
Let’s Get To Work!
Your space is should now be clean, organized, free of clutter and eager for you to get to work – so let’s get to work. Sit down and take a deep breath. This is YOUR Space – Your Home Office! This is where the magic is going to happen.
If you have your Goals set and you are ready to get to work – my best advise that I can give you is HAVE FUN….and keep your space clutter and distraction free. Your space is for you to focus and get shit done.
Jen –
📷 credit: Unsplash – @minhphamdesign, Sora Sagano; my iPhone