Whether you are a financial consultant, a realtor, or masseuse, if you work from home, you’ve likely given a lot of thought to the appearance of your home office.
You meet your clients in this space either in person or virtually, and you know that you must convey a sense of authority and calm that puts your client at ease. Over here at JonesAssociates we share the following tips for decorating or staging your home office in a safe and eye-catching way.
Decide Which Items Are Essential and Which Are Clutter
Your clients likely meet with you to speak about a specific topic — not to get distracted by dozens of your favorite family photos on the walls. Try to keep the space as professional as possible and include only the essentials.
According to Popular Science, when you work from home, you are at risk for developing repetitive strain injuries that often accompany long-term desk work. You may want to include ergonomic chairs for yourself and your client, or you may wish to splurge on a couch and small seating area. For longer visits, comfortable seating is preferred. If you are meeting your client virtually, be sure that your office is well-lit and that the client can see your face clearly on the screen.
Choose Your Colors Carefully
Though you have the freedom to decorate and stage your home office how you wish, a neutral or understated color scheme may be your best bet for creating a distraction-free space. For example, a therapist who holds many video calls from her home office may make her patients feel uneasy if the wall behind her is bright red, cluttered with photos, and lit so brightly that there is a glare on the patient’s screen.
You might convey more professionalism with muted blues, grays, and browns than bright colors, but using pops of color sparingly can add interest to your design. Using minimalism both in your home office furniture choices as well as your overall color scheme can take the focus off your office itself and make room for the important conversations you need to have within its walls.
Make Sure Your Air Conditioner Is Functioning Properly
There are several good reasons to ensure your air conditioning is working for your home office. First, it will help to keep your computer equipment cool and operating at peak efficiency. Second, it will prevent the build-up of dust and other allergens in the air. Third, it will create a more comfortable environment for you to work in, making it easier to focus on your work.
If you need your AC repaired, you can look for local portable air conditioner repair services. Keep in mind that repairs to the compressor or fan motor will be costly, so your best option will usually be to purchase a new unit.
Go Over Safety Rules With Your Client
Your clients may be concerned about meeting in person due to ongoing public health concerns or their own susceptibility to seasonal illness. Consider laying out complimentary masks for clients, open the windows if the weather is nice, and install an ultraviolet light in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to destroy the viruses and bacteria that can make your clients ill.
You may wish to post a list of the precautions you’ve taken somewhere in your office, or on your website, to reassure your clients. If you have protocols that go beyond the basic safety rules, mention them before your client visits so that he or she will be prepared.
Use Software to Avoid In-Person Meetings
These days, running an office requires a host of software that can help you tackle numerous problems and tasks at once, ranging from virtual meetings to accounting. For example, offer a virtual meeting, therapy session, or house showing when appropriate using technology that minimizes in-person contact such as Zoom or FaceTime. Using invoicing apps such as Invoice Ninja or Tallie can help you keep in touch with clients and get paid on time without having to meet in person as well. Many of these apps are free, with the option to upgrade to premium features if you want to delve deeper into what the package offers.
A home office does not have to be an unprofessional working space. The right updates can even boost the value of your home so be sure to keep receipts for any work you have done. Decorate with minimalism in mind, keep the color scheme mostly neutral, use software for communication whenever possible, offer clear safety guidelines to your clients, and make sure your air conditioning is functioning properly. The more you can demonstrate that your home office is a professional space, the more respect you will command while at work.
