No commuting. Lunch breaks whenever you want.
Working from home can be a dream come true; studies have shown people who work from home are more efficient and engaged with their work along with reporting higher job satisfaction. Sounds like a win-win situation, right?
Not so fast.
To get the most out of working from home, you need a space that’s comfortable, organized, and free from distractions so you really can be happier and more productive.
But what if your office doesn’t look or feel that way?
Even though there are some important elements to factor in, it’s easier than you think to come up with a home office design that works for you. Imagine creating a place where you enjoy going to start your day — an inviting, distraction-free space where everything you need is close at hand and you relish being there.
Here are a few ways you can uplevel your at-home workspace and make the time you spend in it happier and more efficient!
Layout and Function
There are a few things you should pay attention to when you’re figuring out where your desk and other office furniture should go.
Be mindful of window glare with computer screens and putting yourself at risk for eye strain. Lots of natural light is a plus, but be strategic about where your screen will be in relation to a window.
Air circulation is another biggie. Take care not to block air vents or access to windows. If you want to maximize airflow, use a portable fan or install a ceiling fan if you can.
Privacy is another essential ingredient when you’re coming up with office ideas and planning your layout. Focusing and productivity come more easily if you can shut out the outside world when you need to.
Small office tip:If you’re working with a smaller office, use mirrors to help the space feel bigger than it is.
Be Mindful of Creating an Ergonomic Space
If you spend a lot of hours in your home office, it pays dividends to ensure you’re creating an environment with ergonomic design in mind.
But what makes something ergonomic? And why is it important?
In short, ergonomics is the study of how you can adapt and design a job to fit a worker and not the other way around. Anything that helps you do your job — your desk, chair, keyboard, and computer mouse — is designed with comfort and the way you use it in mind.
What does this mean for you? It’s the difference between turning into Gollum at the end of a workday or maintaining a healthier, more functioning and happier body.
If your body is stressed by awkward posture because of a poorly designed chair and you spend hours hunched over a desk, you’re going to start feeling discomfort in your body. This could eventually lead to missed work.
Ergonomic design is worth it, so it’s okay if you have to tweak your office in stages if you can’t do a massive overhaul.
Equipping Your Office
Make sure your office is supplied with everything you might need close at hand. Post-it notes, pens, charging cables, file folders, you name it. The last thing you need on a call or during a project is to be wasting time fumbling around for something important.
Speaking of hunting for things…
Keep your space neat and tidy. Not only have studies found that having too much stuff around taxes your brain in a way that makes it harder to focus and causes your productivity to take a nosedive, but clutter can even lead to increased stress and anxiety. So while there may be a method to your madness, be aware that it’s never too late for a leopard to change its spots.
Don’t forget to stock your office with some essentials like water, snacks, and computer glasses too — the basics are huge when it comes to being able to stay focused and minimize distractions.
Be Your Own Million Dollar Decorator
Now that you’ve perfectly laid out your office for maximum productivity and comfort while working, you can put the finishing touches on creating your perfect home office set up.
Think about adding some color into your office decor with plants. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, plenty of varieties don’t require a lot of upkeep or maintenance and come with a host of benefits — up to a 15% increase in productivity along with better concentration, improved well being, and less stress.
This is your office; you get to map it out however you like! Find a design aesthetic that fits you and your personality and run with it. Maybe Scandinavian Minimalism is your inspiration, or Bohemian is more your style. No matter the budget or office size you’re working with, find a way to inject your personality into your workspace. It can be as simple as a fantastic art print or a new desk lamp. The sky’s the limit!
How have you designed your home office? What layout has worked for you? Tell us in the comments!
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