Many people imagine the term "home office" as the slightly idyllic picture of a laptop at the kitchen table – the coffee machine within reach, the children within earshot, and work being done in between. However, anyone who tries this will very quickly realize that it does not work. Too uncomfortable, too restless, the light is too poor, the display is too small, and you have to go to another room to print anyway.
What matters when setting up a home office
The suitable room
For a professional work environment, in addition to tax considerations, a separate room should be available. Ideally, this room has a large window and a door that can be locked if necessary (in case sensitive data is being processed). Furthermore, a LAN/WLAN connection and a telephone connection are, of course, part of it. Do not make the mistake of simply putting a desk in the storage room or the guest room – you will spend many hours in it, so it is better to design your home office in such a way that you feel comfortable in it. By the way, the room does not have to be large; there are practical and beautiful solutions for small rooms as well.
Ergonomics at the workplace
The most important pieces of furniture in the study are the desk and the corresponding chair. Desks are available in specialist shops in numerous shapes, materials, and sizes. If there is enough space, a spacious corner construction is suitable; for very small rooms, there are flexible folding solutions. It is important that you have enough surface area on the table to be able to place the keyboard, mouse, and monitor ergonomically correctly and still have storage options and space for handwritten work.
Choose a desk and chair that are height-adjustable. Concentrated work is only possible if you can maintain a healthy working posture. The location of the desk is also important. Daylight should fall in such a way that the writing hand does not cast shadows on the manuscript. In addition to the desk lamp, ceiling lighting from above is recommended, which is mounted in such a way that you do not sit in your own shadow at the desk, but are also not dazzled.
There are actually no limits to the storage of files and work materials. Sturdy cabinets or shelves that reach up to the ceiling are recommended (otherwise you waste a lot of storage space). Since paper is an excellent dust collector, cabinets with folding or roller doors are not a luxury, but a labor-saving device.
The most important thing when designing is that you do not view your home office as a makeshift solution. Whether as a freelancer or a permanent employee, anyone who works from home needs a decent workplace for it – just like in any company.
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