When designing a home office, you need to think a little differently to how you would if you were designing a commercial office, and vice versa. 

Whilst both offices need to be functional and comfortable, there are a few differences in terms of how you would approach the design, to ensure the right boxes are ticked. 

You might think that you always have to follow design trends and be so-called trendy, but you should really go with what feels right to you and how it works for you, and your employees if you’re working within a commercial setting. 

So, what differences do you need to bear in mind when you’re designing either a home office or a commercial office when you compare the two? What differences make them stand apart?

A Home Office Needs to be Separate

You obviously don’t have a living space close to your working space when you’re working within a commercial office and that’s something which needs to be managed very carefully.  If you allow the two spaces to become too integrated, it can be very easy for your home and work-life balance to be pushed out of whack. Instead, focus on having a separate space for work, so at the end of the day, you can close your computer and move into your home space, without always having work on your mind.

Commercial Offices Are More Sociable 

Obviously, when you’re in a commercial office you’re surrounded by other people at their office desks, but when you’re working from home you aren’t. That is another aspect you need to bear in mind when you’re designing either type of office. A commercial office will need break spaces and collaborative areas, and it will need to have enough segregation between the two types of working areas, to ensure that the right amount of work can be done easily. 

Commercial Offices Need to be Designed With Privacy in Mind 

Because of the social element of a commercial office, you need to add in elements which allow employees to focus and concentrate on close work. This may mean office screens or booths, or a completely different zone for closer work. It depends on the size of the space you have, but there are many elements you can include, even acoustic panels. This will ensure comfort, less stress, and higher productivity. 

Home Offices Needs to be Designed Carefully

Aside from having a separate space to work in, you need to ensure that you balance all elements when creating a home office. An office which doesn’t include comfortable office furniture and is simply a ‘work corner’ rather than designated space, is not a productive or effective home office. Be sure to balance your home decor with your office, to avoid it looking too commercial, but remember that there are certain elements which are required, such as supportive office chairs and storage. 

Commercial Offices Needs to Reflect The Brand

Perhaps the biggest difference in design is that a commercial office needs to reflect what the company does, it’s its brand identity. A home office doesn’t have to include this. This means checking that your decor is in-keeping with the work you do and that you’re showing the right side of your business to visitors, helping them to develop a positive first impression. 

When designing either office, you need to keep comfort and supportiveness at the forefront of your mind. Employees will spend large amounts of time at their desks and chairs, and if they’re not comfortable and they’re causing backaches and neck aches, it’s not going to increase productivity at all, and morale will quickly fall. 

It’s very easy to assume that a home office can simply be a random chair and a desk, but that’s not going to help you feel very inspired or comfortable when you’re trying to get your work done. Maintain professionalism at all times, including in how you design your office from scratch.