Every day, more and more people are starting to work from a home office, and a home office certainly has its own perks, but at the same time, it’s important to remember a few key things when designing one. Working from a home office is great, but if it’s too casual or not effectively separated from the rest of your home, productivity might be lost.
The secret, however, is creating a space that actually inspires you to get to work instead of hiding under the covers. The following eight tips might come in handy for setting up your own perfect home office:
1. Dividing Work from Personal Life
Your home office must be reviewed from time from time with an eye for identifying and removing any distractions. For instance, remove the TV, game consoles, and all other forms of diversions because out of sight means out of mind. Also, your workspace should be kept as distinct from the other rooms in your home as possible. Differentiating your work space from your home space will have a positive psychological effect on how you divide work and play.
2. Nailing the Seat
While seating might not be the first thing you think of when you design your home office, it’s certainly one of the most important. You need the right seating support because let’s face it, you’re spending most of your time sitting in your chair when you’re working. Follow ergonomic rules by making sure the top of your computer screen is at eye level or a little below, your feet are resting firmly on something—the floor or a footrest if you’re short—and last but not the least, splurge on a chair that makes you want to put in the hours.
3. Experiment with Lighting
Lighting is a prime aspect that often goes neglected while decorating a home office. Choose a space that allows plenty of natural light. This provides a good foundation for a bright working space, and then, you can enhance it with more direct lighting. Start by providing general, overhead lights that fill most of the work area, and don’t forget to add task lighting, desk lamps, and floor lamps that give concentrated lighting to your specific work area.
4. Balance Workspace and Storage Requirements
Good organization is critical, so make sure your workspace has plenty of room for storage (files, supplies, etc.) and an ample area to spread out and work. Invest in quality storage solutions such as a filing cabinet, shelves, files, and folders. Less clutter means fewer distractions and increased productivity.
5. Update Your Tech Frequently
Technology will be your most important tool when you work from home. Frequent technical problems or malfunctioning devices can be a major source of frustration. System crashes and data loss near an important deadline can cause significant damage. Therefore, computer antivirus software and your computer’s operating system should be updated whenever new update are available. You should also have regular maintenance checks performed on your devices. Pro Tip: back-up all of your important information!
6. Thoughtful Personalization and Inspiration
Adding your personal touch can inspire you, help you sustain a positive mood, and keep you energized to work. Photos, mementos of success, posters, cartoons that make you laugh, decors, plants, pets, and even scents that make you happy can play roles in keeping you motivated while you’re working.
7. Energy
With all of the lighting and technology in your home office, don’t forget about power consumption. Check for Energy Star labeled office equipment before buying anything because it can save a lot of energy and money. You can also consult an electricity supplier such as Josco Energy Corp or Ovoenergy to help you make your home office green.
8. Clock Support
It’s easy to forget about time while working from home. Hang a clock on a wall or place one on your desk—anywhere it’s clearly visible. You might work nonstop for a marathon of 14 hours without even realizing it! Even though your work is at home, there still comes a time when you have it to say the work day is done.
I really like your tip to update your tech frequently. That can be hard to do when you don’t have a dedicated IT team keeping track of things for you. I also think it’s important to make sure that all your equipment is up to date to make sure that things run smoothly. Thanks for sharing these great tips!