Working from home has hit the big time, and it seems likely that many employers will continue to encourage remote work in years to come. You get to cut out the commute, and your employer doesn’t have to allocate permanent office space. Everybody’s happy. But despite it’s advantages, working from home can be difficult if you don’t set up a workstation that encourages productivity and limits distraction. Try these tips to make your workspace the ideal home office.
1. Allocate Space With Productivity in Mind
Having the feeling that you’re in a space that’s meant for work and work only helps to keep you focussed. It also tells family members that you’re busy and shouldn’t be interrupted unless it’s important. If you don’t have a spare room, choose a corner of your living space and, if possible, screen it off. Do choose a spot with good natural light and invest in a white desk lamp for cloudy days and evenings when you work a little late.
2. Choose Ergonomic Office Furniture
Since you’re going to be spending a lot of time at your desk, choose office furniture that won’t make you feel like you’ve been run over by a herd of elephants at the end of the workday. Trying to adapt regular furniture to your home office will result in aches, pains and unnecessary fatigue. The most expensive chair I ever bought was the one I chose for my home office, but it’s one of the best investments I ever made!
3. Stay in Touch With Nature
Research into biophilia, our affinity with nature, showed that just being able to see green spaces through a window boosted office-worker productivity. Office plants had a similar effect, so get yourself a pet plant to help you cut stress and work smarter. Bonus: it looks pretty too! Choose a plant that tolerates indoor conditions well and give it a whirl. There are studies suggesting that natural light and contact with nature can boost your productivity by as much as 15 percent.
4. Keep Your Office Looking Smart
With nobody but you and your family having access to your office, there’s temptation to let things get cluttered and messy. Don’t fall into this snare. Keep your desk and its surroundings as neat, tidy and professional as you would an office provided by your employer. Clutter is a distraction. Clear your desk, and you clear your mind. With this in mind, be sure that you have sufficient storage space for your office materials, hard-copy paperwork, and so on.
5. Add Some Personal Touches
While you do want your home office to look tidy, it’s fun including some elements you wouldn’t usually find in a formal office space. What you’ll like best depends on your personal taste, but family photos, pretty ornaments or a comfy spot for pets to curl up when they’re keeping you company could be among these. Just because it’s a home office doesn’t mean it can’t be home-like!
Now that you have a space that’s conducive to productivity, it’s up to you to make it happen. Develop a good work routine with breaks in between and enjoy the relaxed environment.
