Working from home is becoming more common post-COVID. And there are many benefits to it – no commute (time and money saving), flexible working hours, and better work-life balance, to name a few. However, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, as there can be various distractions at home. In addition, you don’t have the luxury of an already fitted-out commercial office.
The good news is you can design your own home office – one that makes you comfortable, productive, creative, and happy too. Here are the best ways to optimise your home office space.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
If you have a spacious home, you can dedicate an entire room as a home office. Alternatively, have an office chair and table in a specific place in your living room. A dedicated work area that you can associate with work will help put you in work mode rather than sitting around the house. Remember to set up your home office in a quiet spot where you’re less likely to be interrupted. This will guarantee an improvement in your focus and productivity.
Keep the Space Well-Lit
The second step is to set your home office in a place with plenty of natural lighting, not in a dark cubicle. Benefits include improving your mood and overall well-being. You’ll also consume less energy; hence, save more. You’ll still need artificial lighting to work in the dark so consider desk lamps for adequate lighting and exciting decoration possibilities.
Ensure You Have the Right Technology
Commercial offices have everything you need to ensure workplace efficiency and productivity. This includes printers, photocopying machines, scanners, fax machines, computers, and the internet.
A productive home office will only need the basics, which are a computer/laptop and a strong internet connection. However, this will depend on your specific needs. For instance, gamers, IT specialists, and online traders may need multiple monitor setups. Most importantly, ensure you have the computer programs you need to do your job.
Ergonomics Are Important
You’ll be spending a lot of time in your home office, so you must make it as comfortable as possible. The least you should have is an office chair with height adjustment, lumbar support, and an armrest. You could also get a standing desk, monitor risers, LED lighting, a footrest, and an ergonomic keyboard.
Ergonomic furniture and equipment will improve posture, decrease back pain, and enhance productivity.
Keep It Clutter-Free
A cluttered or dirty workspace can be distracting. Plus, spending time searching for something can be frustrating and time-consuming. Start by cleaning your home office. Also, ensure you tidy up at the end of your workday so you can have a fresh start the next day. Keeping your desk and overall space organised will also increase efficiency.
Get ample storage space to keep everything you need nearby without creating a mess. You could also invest in cable management to keep all the wires and cables out of sight.
Go Green With Some Office Plants
There’s a reason people turn to nature when they want to relax and recharge. Setting your home office with outdoor views will make you feel better than if you were stuck inside all day. Or, you can bring the outside inside. A few plants will add colour to your home office, increase happiness, and reduce stress. This will, in turn, increase your creativity and productivity.
Be sure to pick plants that are easy to maintain and improve air quality, such as:
- Dracaena
- Ficus
- Boston fern
- Spider Plant
- Peace Lily
- Dragon Tree
- Bamboo Palm
Working from home is becoming the norm, not to mention all the benefits that come with it. And having a well-designed home office will allow you to be more efficient and productive. The perfect home office is different for everyone. So, focus on your needs, budget, and available space. You could even hire a professional to help you set it up.
Read more:
