Situating your workstation near a window provides natural lighting and minimizes distractions while offering opportunities to take breaks by gazing upon the changing landscape. Should you add a desk around a window though?
Desks placed directly opposite windows may cause feelings of confinement and eye strain. Furthermore, their direct sunlight can damage furniture and equipment in their vicinity.
1. Fresh Air
If your desk faces the window, it will provide plenty of natural sunlight that can enhance your mood and help focus your efforts on the tasks at hand. Furthermore, having access to fresh air means reduced air conditioning usage which will save money on energy costs.
However, having your desk in front of a window does have some drawbacks. Sunlight can dazzle the computer screen and make reading or completing tasks difficult; additionally, eye strain may result so it’s wise to opt for a monitor with low glare properties for optimal viewing experience.
Desks located near windows present another drawback for some workers; anyone outside your office can see into it and this can be distracting or problematic when working remotely, as well as meeting clients or colleagues face-to-face. By having a solid wall between you and the door behind your desk and monitor screen, a sense of privacy and security can be restored, while keeping people from viewing what’s displayed on it.
2. Distractions
Your desk facing a window may make it challenging to concentrate on your work because you may become distracted by what’s going on outside. This is often a problem among employees working in open office environments as colleagues pass their desks frequently to speak, offer coffee, or simply say hello.
Working near windows can also become distracting when working near them due to sun glare and reflections of your monitor, leading to eye strain and headaches that could go undetected.
Feng Shui theory states that when your desk faces the window, Chi energy will leave and cause negativity within the room. To counteract this issue, try moving your desk slightly away from it by placing it to one side rather than directly facing it; this will reduce glare while creating ideal lighting conditions for work – an effective strategy for increasing productivity while decreasing distractions. Alternatively, curtains can block out blinding light to further decrease glare.
3. Natural Light
Natural lighting from windows can help you focus and remain productive, as well as feel more energized throughout the day – this can be particularly beneficial if working in an office environment.
However, you should be mindful of the fact that too much sunlight can create an irritating glare on your computer monitor and make working difficult. To mitigate this issue, blinds or other forms of window treatments should be used when necessary to block out direct sunlight when it becomes too bright.
Additionally, for good feng shui, you should place your desk near a window but not directly in front of it. This will give you more command over your room while still being able to see anyone entering it. Also, consider painting your walls with light colors to prevent sunlight from shining directly into your eyes.
4. Privacy
Locating your desk near a window may expose it to prying eyes, leading to distraction and possibly eye strain. It is essential that when choosing the location for your workspace you consider this risk carefully; especially if working from home where privacy from neighbors or family members must also be respected.
Another disadvantage of working at a desk facing the window is the risk of monitor glare causing headaches and tired eyes, plus sunlight may fade materials on your desk over time. Therefore, investing in some sunglasses for use during peak sunlight hours would also be wise.
The ideal placement of your desk should be in the “command position.” This means being able to see the door from your seat without it directly crossing your body’s plane of motion. Being in control of your space gives a greater feeling of relaxation while working, and allows any future opportunities that come your way instead of turning away from them.
5. Floating Desks
Floating desks are ideal for home offices as they take up minimal space while offering an appealing minimalist aesthetic that works with many decor styles. Plus, most don’t require tools for setup!
A floating desk is ideal for windows as it doesn’t block your view of nature and allows natural light to fill the room while working. However, placing it directly in front of a window could be considered bad feng shui; rather it would be beneficial to place your workstation at an angle or at the end of a wall as this promotes balance and openness.
For an elegant yet functional workspace, opt for this wood floating desk featuring a pull-out drawer and shelf to keep all of your essentials within easy reach. This modern design pairs well with both rustic and traditional settings while its easy-cleaning melamine laminate surface makes maintenance hassle-free. Additionally, its sturdy frame supports most laptops or computers while mounting brackets make assembly a snap!