With the rise of remote work, more and more people are setting up a home office. When designing a home office, people want to ensure that the space is inviting and comfortable – but also safe and ergonomically furnished.
This article shows how digital security, ergonomics and thoughtful design can work together to create a healthy and productive home office.
To remain productive, motivated, and healthy while working from home in the long term, digital security, ergonomics, and interior design should be considered together. Photo by EFFYDESK @effydesk, via Unsplash
A secure digital workplace is the basis for professional freelancing and home office work.
First, you should take steps to protect your online activities. Cybercrime is a growing problem – especially since working from home can introduce new vulnerabilities and many tasks are performed online. Free cloud storage is an essential tool for many remote workers, as it keeps personal data secure and business files protected.
For example, if you are working while traveling in a café, you can save and share your documents in the cloud without risking sensitive data on insecure networks.
Expert tips at a glance
measure
Specific tip for implementation
Secure network connection
Always use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access company networks or sensitive data
Password protection & authentication
Set up strong passwords for all devices and accounts (a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters). Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) .
Device security
Use company-owned or dedicated work equipment . Ensure that operating systems and software are always up to date (perform updates regularly).
Physical data security
Confidential documents should not be left lying around . Store them in a lockable cabinet or rolling container . Dispose of sensitive paper documents only using a paper shredder .
Privacy & Video Conferencing
Cover your webcam with a sliding cover when not in use. During video calls, ensure that confidential documents are outside the camera's field of view and that you use a neutral or blurred background.
Style & Organization: Feel-good atmosphere and focus
The design promotes concentration, creativity, and a separation between work and private life. Choose primarily functional furniture.
Interior design style and organization play a central role in creating a comfortable atmosphere. Photo by Collov Home Design @collovhome, via Unsplash
When choosing your furniture, make sure it is ergonomically designed and supports your posture to prevent tension and injuries. Furniture with integrated storage can also be helpful in preventing clutter and keeping your workspace organized.
A desk with drawers can keep cables and documents out of sight, reducing stress and distractions. A tidy workspace is easier to maintain and contributes to a calm atmosphere in your home office.
Expert tips at a glance
measure
Specific tip for implementation
Spatial separation
If possible, use a separate, lockable room . If that's not possible, create a clear visual and functional separation (e.g., with a screen, a shelf, a curtain, or a rug under the desk).
Organization and storage space
Use closed storage solutions such as rolling containers, desks with drawers, or minimalist sideboards to conceal materials and cables . Keep the desk surface as clear as possible .
Choice of color and material
Choose neutral wall colors (not pure white, but muted gray or beige) that suit the room's orientation and furniture. Add warm accents with wood, textiles (a cozy blanket, an attractive rug), and carefully selected decorative elements.
Personal touches
Place individual, inspiring objects (art, plants, souvenirs) that lift your spirits but don't distract you. Consider: What kind of worker am I – minimalist or inspiringly chaotic (mood board)?
Professional optics
When making video calls, ensure your background is tidy and professional-looking (e.g., a stylish bookshelf, a neutral wall color). Make sure your face is well-lit (e.g., with a broad video light).
Ergonomics & Health: The Basis for Efficiency
Ergonomics and health aspects form the basis for efficiency. This also includes considering the lighting situation. Photo by Juairia Islam Shefa @juairiaa, via Unsplash
A healthy body is essential for long-term productivity. This isn't just something interior design professionals know; long-term freelancers working from home can certainly attest to it. In particular, back and neck health can suffer over the years if neglected.
Expert tips at a glance
measure
Specific tip for implementation
Ergonomic seating
Invest in a high-quality, individually adjustable office chair with lumbar support and adjustable armrests.
Dynamic working
Create the opportunity to switch between sitting and standing, ideally with a height-adjustable desk .
Screen positioning
Position the monitor so that the top line is below eye level and the distance is approximately 50–70 cm (an arm's length). Use a laptop stand and a separate keyboard/mouse for the laptop.
Natural and artificial light
Position your desk sideways to the window to avoid reflections and make the most of natural light. Supplement this with a bright ceiling light (room light) and a focused, adjustable desk lamp (task light).
Breaks and exercise
Schedule regular, short movement breaks (e.g., stand up, stretch, and walk around for 5 minutes every 60 minutes). Use time management apps to help structure your time.
Add personality – without chaos
Your home office should reflect your personality and be a place you enjoy spending time. At the same time, avoid cluttering it to prevent a busy or unprofessional environment. Artwork, plants, and pleasant lighting can help create a stylish yet harmonious space.
Keep the space flexible
Finally, you should design your home office to remain flexible – especially if you share the space with others or use it for other purposes. Modular shelving and movable chairs are simple ways to make the room adaptable while still allowing it to function as an office.
When it comes to remote work, security and style go hand in hand. With more and more people working from home, it's crucial to have a home office that's safe, secure, and stylish. The tips in this post will help you create the ideal workspace—a room where you can work securely every day and protect your data from cybercriminals. At the same time, you'll create an environment that reflects your personality, boosts productivity, and remains flexible enough to adapt to your needs.
Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.
Category for interior design,residential design, object furnishings, product and material innovation.
Here you will find everything that makes an interior designer's heart race. We present to you the latesttrendsand developments in the world of home design, as well as innovative products and materials for unique space design.
Our goal is to provide our readers with inspiration and help them creatively redesign or completely transform their living spaces.
We place great importance on ensuring that our articles are not only esthetically pleasing but also include practical tips.
We also introduce you to successful interior designers – from newcomers to the most well-known names in the industry – so you can be inspired by their projects and get to know their working methods.
Whether it's about making the most of a small space or furnishing your home with new furniture in the trendy industrial style: With us, you will find all the information you need on the topic of interior design!
Freelancing
Regardless of your field of activity as a web designer, graphic designer, game developer, photographer, programmer, product designer, journalist, content creator or influencer , as a self-employed person you have a wide range of tasks to manage.
From customer acquisition and successful project implementation to time management and financial administration – including the often unpopular tax matters.
Good information and the right online tools are crucial for a successful career as a freelancer or content creator.
In this section you will find helpful articles and valuable advice with tips specifically for freelancers.
We use technologies such as cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve your browsing experience and to display (non-)personalized advertising. If you consent to these technologies, we can process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this website. Refusal or withdrawal of consent may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always Active
Technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service expressly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a message over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that were not requested by the subscriber or user.
statistics
Technical storage or access that is solely for statistical purposes.Technical storage or access that is used solely for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, the voluntary consent of your internet service provider, or additional recording by third parties, the information stored or retrieved for this purpose cannot generally be used to identify you.
marketing
Technical storage or access is required to create user profiles, to send advertising, or to track the user on one or more websites for similar marketing purposes.