How to Arrange an Office in an Apartment or House in Cyprus

Working from home (remote work or freelancing) is becoming more and more popular and widespread. Indeed, if there is the Internet, why go to the office every day? In general, it is useful to have a place in the house where you can quietly close and in the right atmosphere to do your business.

From the author: I remember in some books, the hero in the office dismantled the usual utility bills. I then thought: especially for this to allocate a separate office? And now I have a room in which I work and do things. And it is very, very convenient!

Even if the living space does not allow you to allocate a whole office, you can arrange a working area. About this and how to properly design a space for work - in our article!

The choice of style is the primary thing

Style first of all sets the general tone of the whole room. It would seem that for a home office, it is better to choose something as neutral as possible, but this is true only partially.

Important: the office should adjust to the working mood but do not forget about the coziness. Without it the room is simply unpleasant to be in.

Generally recognized " leading" styles for office spaces are minimalism and constructivism, modern and hi-tech, loft, eco, and finally neoclassical. All the listed styles are focused on functionality, so do not have unnecessary details and strive for harmony and calm tones.

However, you need to understand that hi-tech in the living room and hi-tech in the study are different things. In-cabinet styles should be dominated by restraint and sophistication.

A very interesting trend is the mixing of two styles, which at first glance do not combine with each other. For example, neoclassic in the office look great with high-tech or minimalism, while the finish refers to modern, and furniture - to the classics. This looks very expressive and allows you to create a cozy, unique atmosphere.

Getting started with the repair

The first thing to do at the very initial stage is noise insulation. Regardless of where you live (private house or apartment), you will definitely need peace and quiet. Attention should be paid not only to the walls but also to the windows and doors. They should not let noise from the outside in, otherwise, wall insulation will become a half-pointless endeavor.

Finishing of walls, ceiling, and floor is desirable in the most neutral light colors. Even if it is necessary to diversify the interior and bring a little freshness into it, it is better to transfer this function to the furniture and decor. The color scheme will be said a little below, and for now let's move on to the materials for finishing the walls, ceiling, and floor.

It is preferable to choose something close to natural: plaster, stone, wood. Wood should be in the favorites. Both parquet and laminate are is good for the flooring. It is better that the floor was warm not only to the feel but also visually. Stone or imitation is better to use as a finish.

Texture does not look bad - for example, "raw plaster" and similar techniques. But you should not overdo it: it should not draw attention to it, but only slightly dilute the the overall picture

Conclusion: the office, is close to the ideal when it is evenly painted in light tone colors, has a wooden floor and, discreet decoration or their lack.

Color scheme: what colors are preferable?

The choice of colors directly affects the performance of the person sitting in the office. We already have an article about how the interior is related to human well-being - you can see it in our previous article.

It also tells what effect different colors have on the human mind. Based on common knowledge, for work you should choose:

1. light and warm tones that do not distract and set you up for productivity;
2. white color (again, warm shades), which gives a feeling of freedom and open space;
3. pearly gray creates a calm and at the same time business-like atmosphere;
4. light blue increases concentration and improves attentiveness.

You can combine these colors and complement them with other colors, but you should not experiment too extensively. It is recommended to stop at two colors or one main and one - additional. If you need more diversity, it is better to do it with the help of interior decoration, not finishes.

Hint: in any case, it is recommended to avoid red, orange, deep green tones, as well as dark coplors as main finishes. Not many people will be able to concentrate in such an environment.

The right choice of furniture - the key to efficiency

If a person gets tired quickly, then the environment may be to blame. Therefore, it is important to choose such furniture, which both visually and functionally create maximum comfort. If with armchairs, chairs and sofas everything is more or less clear (you can try them), then with other interior pieces you need to be more attentive.

The first point is the composition. Usually its center is a table and a desk chair, and from it "diverge" to the rest of the interior elements. It is not necessary that they stand in the center, the main thing is the layout.

Ideally, the working chair is made to order, but if there is no such opportunity - you should not be lazy, go to the store and personally test each model. The more you try, the more accurately you can determine what you are comfortable with. Remember that all people are different, you need to choose strictly for yourself, not being guided by someone else's opinion.

The working table should be spacious. It is recommended to choose the most stable, heavy enough models with a tabletop of at least 120 cm2. This will allow you to comfortably place even a large number of items necessary for work. Excessive smoothness of the tabletop can be uncomfortable, pay attention to this aspect.

The next attribute of the workspace is a computer. Regardless of what kind of activity you have, it is necessary to install the monitor separately, and the keyboard - separately. The fact is that the laptop distance between the keyboard and the screen does not correspond to the size of a person, and invariably either hands are higher than necessary, or the head is tilted too low.

The best thing to do is to choose a large monitor and place it so that the center is strictly at eye level. This simple action will take a lot of strain off your back and neck.

Putting the desk in front of the window is not a good idea, especially when it comes to Cyprus. The weather here is constantly sunny, and the sun will be more of a hindrance than a help. To keep the sun out of your eyes, it is best to place the table to the left of the window, or if you are left-handed, to the right of the window. The light will fall from the side, providing a good view for most of the day.

So, with the center of the composition sorted out, now we can talk about everything else. Items that are needed constantly, should be located no further than 70 cm from the workspace, that is, at arm's length. Think about what it will be, and choose furniture to store these things.

Classically choose either open shelves or closed cabinets. Either way, they shouldn't be too high or too low. Constantly reaching up or bending over is an unnecessary load, and why do you need it if you can avoid it?

Often in the office, in addition to shelves and a workstation, the following furniture is placed:

1. armchair or sofa for rest;
2. a coffee table or a second desk;
3. bookshelves = library;
4. highly specialized apparatus and items for work.

Remember that the furniture should belong to the same style. Divergence will "eat" all the coziness and will not allow you to properly focus on business.

Lighting plays a role

Let's repeat the well-known, in general, the rules of lighting the office:

1. maximize the use of daylight;
2. have two types of artificial lighting: individual (table lamp, floor lamp) and general (under the ceiling);
3. artificial light should be warm;
4. eliminate colored illumination and glare, as well as directivity at the face and eyes.

The quality of light strongly affects the fatigue of the eyes. Their overstrain causes headaches, absent-mindedness, and poor sleep. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that the light is sufficient and it does not interfere in any way but only helps.

Do I need decor?

There are still debates about office spaces. Some people believe that there should be almost no decor. But in the home office decor - a mandatory attribute that allows you to create coziness and the desire to stay here longer.

Of course, it should be light and casual. The piling up of decorative elements will not play into the hands of the owner of the office, and it should be abandoned. Also, do not turn to too bright color accents, they will gather the focus of attention.

It is best to emphasize the functional decor: when beauty is also practical. This applies to:

1. curtains and drapes;
2. light fixtures;
3. small rugs on the floor;
4. furniture with a distinct style;
5. indoor plants;
6. clocks and mirrors on the walls.

The use of 1-2 paintings is acceptable, but they should be restrained. Hang a reproduction of Kandinsky or Vrubel in the study is simply inappropriate.

Is it possible to combine an office with another room?

Yes, of course you can. In this case, the study will be " compressed" to a table, an armchair and 1-2 shelves. All this will take about 3-4 m2, that is, in fact, the office can be arranged in any room.

It is often combined with a bedroom: it is a quiet and calm place where you can close and work at any time of the day. In a studio apartment in Cyprus it is quite possible to make a good zoning and separate the office with a screen or curtain.

If you live alone, it is acceptable to set up an office in the living room. In this case, it will be easier to fit into the general style without losing functionality and coziness.

So, the right office furnishings - guarantee of your comfort and efficiency. Therefore, it is better not to hurry and do not save on repairs, or on the necessary items: they will do you an invaluable service, especially if you work remotely.

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