Looking Good: Staging and Decorating Your Home Office to Optimize Customer Experience

Guest post by Joyce Wilson

Home-based offices are the new normal, especially for budding entrepreneurs. Your

office’s appearance and features are now important in two ways: in-person and virtual

meetings. Here’s how to create the safest, most appealing office environment.

Make a great first impression

For both in-person and virtual meetings, one of the first things a client or supplier will

notice is the lighting: too bright and it’s uncomfortable, too dark and you strain to see.

Use a variety of lighting throughout your office and experiment until you find just the

right balance. Don’t underestimate the power of natural light — it’s the best kind.

Temperature and airflow are going to be key for face-to-face meetings. Aireserv Heating

and Air Conditioning suggests a starting temperature of 72 degrees. Airflow is important

because stagnant air is not only uncomfortable, it can contain odors that should be long

gone — say, the burrito you had for lunch. Use a ceiling fan to keep air moving at a slow

and steady pace. A standing or window fan would be too loud, and oscillation would be

distracting. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, it’s a good investment since many buyers find

this feature appealing.

In the COVID-19 era, it’s also a nice touch to include extra masks at the entrance of

your office; those who forget their own will be grateful.

Clear the air

It’s not just airflow that’s important, but also the quality of the air. Under the right

conditions, open windows are a refreshing way to circulate the air in your office. If you

have windows but they don’t open easily or are in need of replacing, it would be worth

the time and money to take care of them. It will increase the natural light, allow for

breezy workdays, and add another bonus to your home value.

You may also want to consider installing what’s called an Ultraviolet Germicidal light

(UVGi) light in your Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system,

according to Lincoln Tech. UVGi lights can help rid the air of many kinds of viruses and

bacteria if installed properly with the correct spectrum of light. You and your visitors will

be breathing cleaner, purer air and may actually be more productive.

Control your environment

Working from home is tricky when you have a family. Impose quiet hours in which you

schedule both in-person and virtual meetings. If you have to schedule outside those

hours, give your family as much notice as possible. Lock your office door during

meetings, especially if you have young children who may forget the rules. Pets should

be kept in a room as far from the office as possible with toys to entertain them.

The physical background of your office, particularly the part that your webcam is aimed

at, is vital to impressing clients. Panopto warns against anything that looks busy or

cluttered and to look out for lighting that will reflect your computer screen.

Furnish your office

When furnishing your home office, there are a few key pieces of furniture you will need

in order to create a functional and stylish space. First, you will need a desk. A desk

provides a dedicated workspace for you to complete your tasks. When choosing a desk,

make sure to select one that is the right size for your space and has enough storage for

all of your supplies.

You’ll also need comfortable chairs and a sofa for your visiting clients. Finally, you will

need to add some storage solutions to keep your office organized. Bookshelves or

cabinets are both great options for storing books, files, and other office supplies.

Instead of purchasing new furniture, you can save by reupholstering the pieces you

already own. Search for “furniture upholstery shops near me” to find local reupholstering

professionals and read feedback from customers. Before hiring anyone, insist on

detailed estimates and payment terms.

Utilize technology

There are all kinds of computer programs that allow you to perform business functions 

like billing and accounting, so take advantage of as many as possible to reduce the

need for face-to-face contact. Ensure that your employees have access to technical

support and that you have general know-how of all aspects of the technology.

Choose the technology that is the most user-friendly, not only for your employees’ sake

but for that of your customers and suppliers.

We’re living in a new era of business and it’s time to adapt. Let this be your guide to an

attractive, professional-looking home office.

Joyce Wilson is a retired teacher and enjoys sharing lesson plans, resources, and teaching tips on Teacher Spark.

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