How to Choose a Home Office Location: Find the Perfect Spot!

[vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Working from home, whether on a part time or full time basis allows you a lot of freedom. However, you’ve still got to get the job done! So how do you choose where to set up your home office location within your home?

Your home office location should be in a spot that is comfortable and quiet. You should have ready access to all the amenities you’ll need throughout the day. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure you have enough room for all your equipment.

In this guide, I’m going to walk you through how to find the perfect spot to set up the location of your home office. Whether you’re new to working from home, or just moving to a new space, these are some tried and true tips to help you be successful![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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Things to consider in choosing a home office location

There are several important factors in choosing a home office location. I’ll get into each one in more depth later. In the meantime, here’s a quick checklist of the things you’ll want to think about when you consider where your home office should be located:

• Size of the room
• Amount of equipment you have
• Noise level
• Lighting in the room
• Distance from the router or access point
• Location relative to food and bathroom access

Now that I’ve got you thinking about your personal scenario, let’s dive a little more in depth to each of these factors. We’ll find the perfect location for your work from home setup!

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What size room is required for a home office location?

A 5 ft x 5 ft size room or space is generally the minimum required for a home office location. You’ll need space to sit comfortably and fit all needed equipment for your job. The standard office desk is 60” wide by itself, which drives this space need.

Home office size

Of course, your space can certainly be larger as well. If you have a need for 2+ monitors, you may require a space larger than your desk to fit them. Perhaps you’d like a yoga mat behind the desk for a quick break? Having additional space is never a bad option.

Conversely, if you live in a studio or are very short on space, this may not work for you. That’s perfectly alright, as we can find a home office location that works for your lifestyle too![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Does a home office have to be a separate room?

No, a home office does not have to be a separate room. If you live in an apartment or smaller home that doesn’t have many rooms, you can still find a suitable place for your home office to be located.

If you’re using one room for multiple uses, though, you’ll still want to make sure you have an adequate way to focus and get the privacy you need for work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Where do you put a home office in a small house?

When it comes to where to put a home office in a small house or apartment, it’s likely you don’t have a spare room. In this case, you’ll want to repurpose part of an existing room for your office. Here are some ideas where to locate a home office in a small dwelling:

• Underneath your bed, with a lofted setup
• In a corner of your bedroom or living room
• Unused garage, attic, or game room space
• At a counter or table that won’t be disturbed

It’s important when choosing a shared-use location to ensure you won’t have to move excessively throughout the day. You’ll also want to ensure you have a quiet environment to concentrate and a neutral background for video calls.

I promise, no one wants to see your dirty laundry on Zoom![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What is the best paint color for the walls in a home office?

The best paint color for the walls in a home office are those that inspire your mood in positive ways. Blue is the most recommended color for a home office location, though red and yellow are great choices as well.

Blue is one of the best paint colors for a home office because blue inspires creativity, and generally instills a sense of calmness. It helps with stress levels, and will help you think through those difficult problems.

Red denotes a sense of urgency, which is wonderful for fast-paced environments. However, don’t overdo it or you may create anxious behavior. Yellow inspires happiness, so you’ll likely feel more content and peaceful at work.

If you’re choosing a particularly dark or bold color (looking at you, red) I’d suggest doing just one accent wall, preferably behind your desk. Leave the rest of the room a more neutral tone. This allows for a non-overwhelming but much needed pop of color.

For a temporary space where painting isn’t the best option, consider peel and stick wallpaper instead. Add a pop of color or a fun pattern to an accent wall, and remove it easily when you need to move. 

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How does equipment affect my home office location?

While I’ve covered the minimum recommended space you need for a home office location, it will certainly vary on how much equipment you need for your job. Let’s talk a little about some common items that will have a big impact on your office space.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Computers

3 computer setup

When it comes to computers, you will have either a laptop or a desktop. The laptop is more portable and affords the use of smaller spaces. A standing desk or a lap desk take up less space than a traditional style, but generally only work with laptops.

If you have a desktop, you’ll need space for the tower, peripherals, and monitor(s). This means a larger desk, space underneath, and more surface area to fit all your hardware.

Your computer size and type will be the difference between needing 5’ of desk width, or 2’ for a laptop desk in your home office location.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Monitors

The number of monitors makes a large difference in space constraints as well. An average-sized computer monitor measures about 22” wide. If you prefer a dual or triple monitor setup, that may mean up to 66” in width to put them side-by-side.

Monitors aren’t just limited to desktops, either. Many laptop uses will plug into a monitor for a second screen.

If you love multiple monitors, you’ll need to plan your home office location where you have adequate space to set them up.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Other Equipment

Aside from computers and monitors, you may need space for additional office supplies, such as a:

• Printer
• Garbage can
• Paper shredder
• Office supplies (paper, pens, envelopes, etc)

If your job requires these, you will need to choose a desk and space for your home office location that accommodates all of these items.

Dual monitors keyboard and desk lamp

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How can I reduce noise in my home office location?

Having a quiet place to work is essential for a home office location. Here are some ideas on how to avoid and reduce noise in your work from home setup:

• Locate your home office away from other activities. If someone else is working, watching TV, or learning, it will interfere and distract you
• Choose a room with good airflow. Having to add a portable heater, air conditioner, or fan will add to the noise level of your room if you are uncomfortable
• Consider adding soundproofing to your space. It helps to block both incoming and outgoing noises, which is great for concentration
• If all else fails and you can’t avoid noise, use noise-canceling headphones to eliminate background noise and provide you a quiet space to focus

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Choosing the right lighting for your home office location

Lighting is an important factor to consider when choosing your home office location. You probably won’t own large, fluorescent lights like a commercial space. This means you’ll need to plan for adequate lighting in your office space for eye comfort.

To have the best lighting in a home office location, look to balance natural and artificial lights. Natural light is the most beneficial for you because it helps to regulate your body’s rhythms. Having plenty of windows in your home office space ensures you get the best amount.

If there isn’t enough natural light coming through, you’ll want to supplement with lamps or desk lamps. Natural lighting is preferred because it doesn’t cause any stress on the eyes, and you will be able to produce more work more efficiently.

However, too little light will also cause eye strain, so it’s important to have a healthy balance. Your supplemental lighting will be able to brighten and dim with the sun so you can always remain comfortable and focused.

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Does a home office need a window?

While it’s preferred to have one, a home office doesn’t need a window. However, if there is no window in the space, you’ll need to make up for the loss of natural light with additional artificial lighting.

Attic home office with skylight

Fitting your lights with a daylight simulating full spectrum bulb such as an Ottlite helps maintain your natural Circadian rhythm.

Avoid low wavelength cool-toned light bulbs, as they will strain your eyes and make you feel more tired throughout the day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

How far from a router should your home office be located?

Your home office should be located no more than 150 feet from where your wireless router is located. If there are many walls in between, particularly of dense material, this distance may be shorter.

One of the most important factors for your home office is your Wi-Fi signal, and staying within this distance will help it remain strong. This distance is based on a modern router on a 2.4GHz frequency. If you have an older router, it may be time to upgrade for a better work experience.

If it’s absolutely impossible to locate your office nearby to your router, you have a couple alternatives:

• Run an ethernet cable from your access point to your home office for a wired connection
• Use a signal-boosting device to improve the distance your Wi-Fi travels

However, both of these require additional work and purchases to set up. It’s always best to first try to pick a home office location that’s within range. It will save you time and headaches![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Home office location relative to amenities

Probably one of the most overlooked items in how to choose a home office location is proximity to amenities. You’ll want food, drinks, and bathroom breaks throughout the day. Being nearby saves you time, and keeps you more comfortable and productive.

In an ideal world, choose a room for a home office location that has a bathroom attached. A quick jaunt is less likely to ruin your work momentum than traversing several flights of stairs.

If it’s not feasible to have one attached, then at least shoot for a restroom down the hall. Avoid having to change levels in your home to access the facilities.

Working in the kitchen

Similarly, you probably won’t want to set up shop in the kitchen, but it doesn’t hurt to be close by. I refill my water bottle many times to ensure I drink enough water in a day. There’s also nothing better than some snacks to get my brain back on track in the afternoon.

Making a long trek to get drinks or food will tend to break your concentration, and you’ll become less productive. Often, you won’t hydrate enough because it will become an inconvenience to break away for that long, and then you’ll start to feel unwell as a result.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Finding the perfect spot for your home office location

We’ve covered all the different things you should consider for how to choose your home office location. If you follow these ideas, you’re sure to pick a space that keeps you comfortable, productive, and happy working from home![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As noted on our Affiliate Disclaimer page, links to products inside this blog could lead to sales commissions (at no additional cost to you) which allow this site to continue operations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]