The current trend of
working from home put a huge strain on working conditions but also presented
unique opportunities to shake things up. Having a comfortable space at home is
increasingly becoming more valuable than ever. Especially if one is to work
regularly, one needs a space that strikes the perfect balance between being yet
appropriate for work.
When working, it is
necessary to have a place to focus. Home offices allow people to work
efficiently from the comfort of their house. When designed properly, any space
can be transformed into a conducive space for productivity.
Whether you are working or
running your business remotely, you might be wondering how to create a home
office where you can get some serious work done. Here are some tips:
1. Find your sweet spot
Start by thinking about the
purpose of the space. You are to carve out a nook where you’ll spend most of
your hours working so pick a spot where you feel comfortable enough. Do not
stiff yourself in a space where you feel restricted such as a windowless closet
just for the sake of making a home office. The goal is to have a space solely
for working without compromising comfort. Check a rarely used guest room or a
corner of your living room you can convert.
Also, consider your
workflow and distraction. Do you work best with background noises or do you
need a space tucked away in a quiet place? If you want to be able to focus,
find a spot where there is less traffic. Unless you live alone, there is
probably a place in your house where you’ll get less interruption.
Nailing that workspace even
if you might need to file a PTO to design your home office is important.
However, setting up that office in the right place makes all the difference.
2. Get Organized
You can manage everything
related to your work from the comfort of your home office provided that you
have an organized space. Just as with any room in your house, you need to take
account of storage and organization no matter how spacious or conservative the
square footage is.
Storage is often overlooked
when it comes to designing a workstation but it is crucial if you are aiming
for a visually pleasing and clutter-free space. That can include having
floating shelves on the walls to get papers out of your desk or having a drawer
where you can file anything within arm’s reach. If you are a freelancer or a property manager working remotely who has to stack paper works and keep knickknacks,
adding a nice basket under your desk is a fun touch to keep your tidy. Having
enough storage eliminates distractions and can therefore influence you to
concentrate on your work.
3. Form should always meet its function
The goal of creating a home
office is to have a suitable space to work in therefore, functionality is an
important factor to consider. Form follows function comes from the idea that
the design and layout of a workstation are based on its intended purpose.
Your desk, chairs, and
cabinets should serve their purpose. You may want a desk with built-in drawers,
but before investing in any furniture ask yourself if it is functional and if
it would fit in the layout of your space. While the home office is a spot dedicated
to working, it should also be able to complement the rest of your home
especially if it is a part of open space. It is important to consider the
overall look and function of the design so you can come up with practical as
well as stylish solutions.
4. Invest in a good chair and desk
Pieces of Furniture are
among the most important pieces of equipment in your home office. If you will
be working for long hours, investing in an ergonomic chair and desk is
essential for your safety and comfort.
Nothing is more frustrating
than having to work uncomfortable. It can heavily affect your productivity.
When choosing a chair, ensure that it comes with enough cushioning and back
support so you can prevent posture problems. As with desks, consider how much
space you have in the room. It should fit the area suitably at the same time
provide enough space to accommodate your monitor or laptop and give you space
to write and take notes.
Also, consider matching
your chair and desk to the rest of the room’s furniture. There are a lot of
options you can find online that are ergonomically designed yet provide a
stylish look to your space.
5. Avoid cord clutter
Finding a wire you need,
scrambling to connect a device to the socket, can be a real chore having to
deal with messy wires and tangled cables. There is so much you can do to avoid
having a cord jungle workspace. Some desks have built-in wire channels to keep
these cables out of the way. If your desk does not have this feature, you can
opt for cable management options such as cable sleeves, box cable organizers,
and cord ties. Also, make sure that your equipment is close to power outlets so
it will be easy should you need to plug.
If your budget allows you,
you can also go wireless. Going wireless gets rid of the typical tangle of
wires keeping your space organized and tidy.
6. Have good lighting
Having a home office with
natural daylight and a view if possible is a great way to help you feel more
active and energized. Natural lighting is good for your wellbeing because it
regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle and helps maintain your levels of vitamin
D – a nutrient that promotes a good mood. In addition, using natural lighting
can help you reduce your energy consumption.
You can enhance lighting by
placing a mirror across the window to reflect the light in the room. If your
space does not have enough lighting, an overhead ceiling light or a lamp placed
on a corner of your room will provide good general lighting. Make sure your
home office has plenty of light sources to prevent the risk of eye strain and
headaches.
7. Steer away from Distractions
One of the disadvantages of
working from home is getting easily distracted by your surroundings. While
there are also distractions working at the office, they are nothing compared to
what you have at home. It can be easy to take longer breaks if the couch and
the TV are just around the corner. Stick to a regular work schedule and place
your workspace away from things that can distract you as much as possible. With
no books, gaming consoles, or TV around, there are fewer chances of succumbing
to them.
If necessary, use
noise-canceling earphones to avoid auditory distractions. If you have someone
living with you, make sure to communicate your working schedule so they know
when they can approach you and when you are in do not disturb mode.
8. Add things that will inspire you
While having too much stuff
can cause your desk to look messy, a few personal touches that bring you
inspiration can help you boost your creativity and productivity. Whether it is
a mood board, your favorite photo, or a painting, adding decorative pieces to
your desk can be an instant perk-me-up. Always surround yourself with items
that motivate you. This will not only help you set the right mood for work but
also serve as a reminder to move forward and overcome some of the roadblocks
you may encounter while working.
9. Spruce up
A great way to add some
life to your workspace is by adding greenery. Plants are proven to reduce
stress and increase levels of happiness, energy, and concentration. These
plants will also help to naturally filter toxins in the room and help freshen
up space. Try adding indoor plants in your room to brighten up space.
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