5 Home Office Layout Mistakes That Reduce Productivity

The setup of your home office plays a crucial role in determining not only your satisfaction in the space but also, perhaps more importantly, your productivity. Crafting a workspace that fosters focus and supports your comfort is essential for doing your best work. The opposite is also true: a poor layout can impact your efficiency and decrease motivation. We asked Heather Goerzen, design director at Havenly, about common home office mistakes their designers see, plus how to fix them. 

1. Your Desk Faces the Wall

It’s a natural instinct to position furniture against the wall: it feels anchored and secure, and it can prevent you from knocking things off the desktop. But facing the wall doesn’t offer great inspiration. “Staring at a blank wall can feel like you’re working in a cubicle, which can stifle creativity and make you feel boxed in. It’s not exactly the most inspiring view when you’re trying to get those creative juices flowing,” says Goerzen. 

How to Fix It

Georzen’s preferred layout is a desk that faces a window. “Natural light and a view can do wonders for your mood and productivity,” she says. 

When that’s not an option, be sure to add artwork, a vision board, or something on the wall in front of the desk to eliminate that stale cubicle feeling. “Something that energizes and inspires you throughout the day,” Goerzen recommends. 

2. Your Work Surface Is Cluttered

We understand the desire to surround yourself with favorite office supplies, the logic of keeping your most useful resources at hand, and the impetus to pile to-do lists and things that need attention right in front of you. But those same inclinations can overrun your workspace in the blink of an eye. “A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. It’s hard to focus on the task at hand when you’re constantly distracted by piles of paper or random objects fighting for space,” says Goerzen. 

How to Fix It

The first step is to evaluate desk organizers and other storage solutions like trays, baskets, or a filing system to keep items corralled—and sometimes, if necessary, out of sight. 

If storage and organization tools are already in play, dedicate time to clearing off clutter. “Implement a daily or weekly decluttering routine,” advises Goerzen. “Spend a few minutes at the end of each day tidying up your workspace so you can start fresh the next morning.”

3. Your Office Lacks Storage

Storage woes are common throughout the home and the office is no exception, except in this room it can have a significant impact on efficiency. “Without proper storage, your office can quickly become a mess, leading to lost documents and wasted time searching for things,” says Goerzen. 

How to Fix It

An easy solution is to replace tables or minimalist desks with solutions that offer more storage. “Incorporate functional furniture like a desk with built-in drawers or a bookshelf for easy access to essentials,” says Goerzen. 

Next, she recommends taking advantage of vertical space. “Install shelves or cabinets to keep things off your desk and out of your way but still within reach.”

4. You’re Ignoring Ergonomics

Being comfy and relaxed is a big benefit of working from home, but you have to be careful to take care of your body. “An uncomfortable chair or improperly positioned desk can lead to back pain, neck strain, and other health issues. And let’s be honest, it’s hard to concentrate when you’re constantly shifting in your seat,” says Goerzen. 

How to Fix It

Start with the chair: Goerzen recommends investing in an ergonomic chair. Being able to adjust elements like seat or arm height, lumbar support, and angle of the chair back can do wonders for both your back and your ability to focus. A foot stool may also help create a flat-footed position that relieves pressure on your knees. 

Next, ensure your work surface, computer, and other elements are at a comfortable height. Georzen reminds us that your arms should rest comfortably at a 90-degree angle while typing, and a computer monitor should be at eye level. You shouldn’t have to look up or down at the screen, straining your neck. 

If you’re not the type to sit still and zone in, but you like to move more to feel productive, a standing desk may be a better fit for both your lifestyle and ergonomic support. 

5. The Room Has Poor Lighting

Whether you’re typing on a computer, painting on a canvas, or reading books, lighting is critical in a work environment. “Working in a poorly lit room can strain your eyes and lead to headaches,” warns Goerzen. Light that’s too bright or harsh overhead can make it hard to focus, while light positioning can create glares on computer screens and work surfaces. “A dim space can make you feel sluggish and unmotivated,” says Goerzen.

How to Fix It

You may feel a bit like Goldilocks trying to find the solution that’s just right, but the best place to start is with a window. Goerzen recommends maximizing natural light, including positioning the desk or work surface near the window, and keeping blinds open during the day when it adds ambient lighting. You may need to play with the room’s layout to prevent glare on computer screens, or use curtains to reduce glare during certain times of the day. 

With or without natural light in your home office, supplemental lighting is important for your workspace. “Task lighting, like a desk lamp, brightens up your workspace and reduces eye strain,” says Goerzen. You may need to add task lighting in multiple places, not just brightening your work area but also in storage so that you can see into filing cabinets, for example. Where a single overhead light doesn’t quite illuminate the whole room, additional ambient lighting in corners can perk up the space and energize your productivity.