48 Feet Is All You Need, For The Perfect Wfh Setting!

We googled 48.

This is what we found.

Forty-eight is a number. It comes between forty-seven and forty-nine, and is an even number. It is divisible by 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, and 48.

What we didn’t find, is that 48 ft is precisely the space you need, to create an home office for your current work from home lifestyle. Read on to see how Siya Modi, has curated a few, DIY, sustainable, economical, functional and fun ideas for your home office, to come together.

Location Is Key

Home offices come in many different shapes . It can be in a separate room, a quiet corner, or even in your kitchen. The key to selecting the right place for your home office is to think about where and when you do your work.

If you are a busy mom, a kitchen corner desk area may be the ideal place for your central command post. However, if you’re a professional, you’ll want to select a space that’s away from the daily flow and distractions of your household. Just remember, whatever you select, you need to measure an area that is 48ft, and watch how you can transform it into the perfect workspace.

Selecting a Desk and Chair

When the pandemic began, and Swati Kochhar, suddenly found herself working from home. She identified the dining table, to become her makeshift workspace. 6 months down the line, her neck and back ached unbearably. She stumbled upon Siya’s page and DM’ed her for ideas. Here is a bit of advice, that changed how she worked from home.

“Choosing the right desk and chair for your home office is essential. Select a desk that is wide enough for your computer and anything else necessary to do your work. This could be an in-tray, reference materials, or space to take notes. Ideally, your desk should 48” (48 seems to be our lucky number!) wide minimum.

However, if all you ever need is a laptop you can get away with less. Most people find 60” (150cm) wide or larger to be the most comfortable. While an adjustable-height desk is ideal it’s not always practical in a home office setting.

Choose a desk that is not too high – 28”-30” (70-75cm) is an acceptable range. Invest in a good-quality chair that is comfortable and adjustable if possible. Check out this post, for some options.

Your neck and back will thank you. Says a happy Swati.

Storage and Shelving

Storage is often overlooked when designing a home office and can really affect your productivity. Make sure to include enough shelving, filing cabinets or cupboards for your storage needs. Consider the flow of your work – what comes in, where will it stay while being worked on, and where does it go when you are finished.

Keep your current work within arm’s reach. Place your filing system nearby. Don’t forget reference materials – if you use manuals, catalogues or reference books, locate a shelf near your desk to keep them close at hand.

Natural Light and View

Good lighting is imperative for any home office space.Try to position your desk to face the windows or in a location where your computer screen will not be affected, with glares or reflections.

Translucent window shades or blinds can help reduce any glare without darkening your room. You can enhance natural light by including a mirror and by keeping most of your walls a light colour.

An overhead ceiling light will provide good general lighting. A pair of open-top floor and table lamps placed in the corners of your room or on your desk will do the same. Include a desk light to provide shadow-free task lighting and extra light in the evenings. Add some full spectrum daylight bulbs in your light fixtures for an extra boost. Also, keep room, for some natural light and vitamin D.

One of our clients had a problem. I have no window, so I don’t have a view.

Worry Not. Position your desk to face the door instead or place a pleasing piece of artwork or an work pin board above your desk. Either, will give your eyes a breather and something to focus on when you look up from your screen.

Hide you chords and Declutter!

A mess is always a broken deal. You will have a difficult time to work if your work environment is disorganized. Cables and chords, are not only an eye sore, but they can spell disaster. As Bharat, went on with his work, on a cable cluttered table, his toddler Aisha, came running in to show him her new artwork. Her hands were holding a dripping paintbrush, and she excitedly reached his table, she stumbled on a chord and splattered the paint and the wet artwork all over his desk.

Wouldn’t be fair to yell at poor Aisha here, now wouldn’t it?

What is fair, is investing in some easy cable management systems, or even some DIY methods you can adopt to ensure you have a clean, clutterfree desk, and a free mindspace for productivity.

Make It Personal, Add Character

Lucky for you, you’re not confined to corporate directives. Unlike working in a cold communal office, you’re free to add just about anything to your home office – as long as it’s not distracting.

One of Siya’s go-to home office decorating ideas is to bring in your sense of self to make the space comfortable and customized to your lifestyle. Check out a few ideas here from our pinterest board. Don’t forget to pin it for references!

And when you find yourself pacing about, stressed out over that upcoming deadline or fretting over an assignment gone wrong, personal mementos and family photos can serve as calming devices to help you find a moment of relief and take a step back from that panic-inducing crisis.

Go gaga over some Green!

“I love to have as much greenery around me as possible. Houseplants make any Zoom background look good and they are a great excuse to stand up for a leg stretch to water, prune or generally faff with them. In my ‘office’ I’ve got a monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant), a fiddle leaf fig tree, some devil’s ivy, an asparagus fern and a string of hearts,” says Siya Modi. “I also particularly love dried flowers at the moment because I worry about the sustainability of buying fresh flowers in this pandemic. A few good sturdy and durable planters are key to hold those green for you. Check out our pinterest board for ideas!

Give your walls some love

“Floating shelves are hugely popular in home office environments at the moment. They can add character to otherwise plain walls. Try dressing them with 3D objects, artwork and plants to add style,” says Siya.“Or you could go for artwork walls. Use a mixture of prints, paintings and 3D items, and experiment with quirky frames to add extra interest. Or invest in one large piece of statement artwork if it suits your space more.” A little indulgence, wont harm anyone.

A home office, doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. Hire a local carpenter, look for spare wood, and knick knacks hoarded at home, and use some creativity. Et Voila. You have a workspace.

Write to us for a free consult for ideas, or DM Siya_arch_studio on Instagram.