Tips for home office interior design cover the same type of design issues that would come into play for any office work area. Those issues include environmental aspects of lighting, controlling noise intrusion, and maintaining sufficient access to electricity and the Internet. Some home office workers may underestimate the importance of ergonomic design. Additionally, designing a home office usually involves other considerations, due to the same space being used both as a home and an office. These considerations include ensuring sufficient levels of privacy, electricity and bandwidth.
An important tip for home office interior design is to understand the cumulative effects of working in inadequate lighting conditions. Eye strain may be avoided by positioning lights correctly. A light directly shining on a computer monitor may cause glare. Dim lighting conditions may also result in eye strain. Functionality in lighting should generally be considered of greater importance than attractive lighting appliances, as visual fatigue will likely take a toll on productivity.
Some who approach the task of outfitting a home office may underestimate the importance of proper ergonomics. Office chairs generally carry ratings that recommend the use of a particular chair be limited to a certain number of hours, based on the chair's qualities. One of the most frequent mistakes in home office interior design is purchasing a chair that is not designed for the number of hours a person may use the chair on a daily basis. If the home office is used an hour or less a day, then many task chairs will be suitable. A chair designed for extended periods of use should be constructed in a way so as not to injure a person who may sit in it for many hours at a time.
Power cords and Internet cables are not usually considered a top priority in home office interior design, but insufficient power and problems with wireless receptivity may decrease productivity. At the very beginning of the home office interior design process, the connectivity factor should be considered. Home workers should test the reception in various areas. Although many people may forget this tip, a home office may require a significant amount of electrical power. A bedroom's electrical outlets for example, may have a capacity to handle 20 amps, but the total power required to run a home office can quickly exceed that.
Noise abatement is often an issue in a home office environment, since many of those who work at home choose to do so in order to take on both family and job responsibilities. A final tip for home office interior design is to consider installing sound dampening solutions. Installing drapes, or carpeting can help absorb sound, too. Office plants also provide some sound buffering, as well as offering the benefit of filtering pollutants, which can be a problem in colder seasons.