Many workers are transitioning to working from home. Even before the current health crisis, an increasing number of organizations were allowing employees teleworking options and with the growing gig economy, proper home office setup ideas have become more relevant. People have loved the flexibility that working from home provides, saving time spent commuting, allowing flexible arrangements, and avoiding office distractions.

That is not to say that working from home doesn't have its own built-in complications. While we may not be able to control how demanding our work situation is, we can control our home office environment for optimal productivity.

Part of optimizing productivity is designing a home office that is completely separate from the home space in order to set boundaries; confusing the two can interfere with daily personal lives and challenge work commitments.

Mistakes Made in Home Office Design

A healthier work-life balance can be achieved by making a clear distinction between office and living space, keeping work equipment, files, and so on, in the office away from living spaces.  For example, one work-from-home tip is to consume meals and snacks in their proper place (the kitchen or dining room), rather than eating at a desk.

Other challenges to home office setup ideas which can undermine mood and productivity include:

• A cluttered, messy office space.
• Bad lighting.
• Out-of-date equipment.
• Lack of privacy and quiet.
• Office furniture that isn't ergonomic.
• Inadequate shelf and storage space for reference materials.
• Poor wire management (tangled cords everywhere).
• Poor layout, organization, and office decor. 

At the end of the day, we want to design a home office space that, when we enter it, makes us feel comfortable yet associates it with work, so we can shift gears immediately and hit the ground running.

Using Color to Achieve Calm

When looking for de-stressing work from home tips, it's always good to begin with colors. Some of the wall colors that promote a sense of relaxation and calm include dusty blue, sage green, and other lighter colors.

Furthermore, clean, neutral tones, such as white, gives us a lot of flexibility when it comes to textures, patterns, and statement pieces. When choosing color accents or the right home office décor to contrast or complement the light color scheme, don't be afraid to try bold wall hangings or a variety of bold colors for office chairs.

Different colors can evoke different moods. For example:

• Green is considered a neutral, organic color, fostering vibes of peace and relaxation, allowing us to concentrate on the task at hand.
• Yellow grabs attention and is considered optimistic, but bright yellow might be too distracting for a workspace.
• Red and purple are strong colors that raise energy levels and excite the imagination. While perhaps too powerful for a dominant home office color, they can be used as accents.
• White, ivory, grey, and tan are good neutral colors that don't distract, provide a measure of calm, and combine well with bold accents to create a sense of vitality.

Get the Right Equipment

Older equipment and software eventually require upgrades, or workflow needs may have changed. Choosing an all-in one printer can combine multiple peripherals into one simple unit, allowing for more desktop space. If printing in high volumes, an upgrade from an inkjet to laser printer just might be the thing.

A newer laptop or desktop computer with the latest security software can better protect against hacking or malware. And along with a more powerful computer, a faster internet connection can boost speed and productivity, as well as providing alternatives for where you choose to work via wireless connectivity.

Newer equipment tends to be more energy-efficient, helping to save on utility bills, and many come with a smaller footprint to free up valuable office space. Think about the possibility of trading a cumbersome desktop computer system for a sleek laptop that can be stored safely in a desk drawer.

If when deciding to add a dedicated business phone line to an existing cell phone, make sure the landline has speaker, messaging, and conference options.

Which Chair is Suitable for a Personal Workspace?

Choosing office chairs for the home office workspace can be a matter of balancing style with the support features that make it more comfortable for sitting over a length of time. Fortunately, there are a variety of solutions such as mesh office chairs: high- or mid-back managerial computer chairs combine the breathing comfort of stylish net designs with ergonomic computer chair features such as lumbar support and adjustable tilt angles.

Whether desiring a chair with luxurious materials or one that is more simple but can swivel and roll around the office, check out this chair buying guide.

At the end of the day, a home office workspace should be our own. It can be a reflection of who we are and a place where we are comfortable but not distracted - so we can get our best work done.

About the Author 

Peter Giffen is a writer and editor whso specializes in business and technology.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided "as is" and neither the author nor Office Depot, Inc. warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.