Working from home is becoming the new normal, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic. More employers are realizing that their employees are more productive when they work a hybrid model.
Since the daily commutes are eliminated, employees get more time to themselves and don’t have to worry about beating traffic.
To enjoy a convenient and comfortable experience when working from home, you should improve your home office set-up with the following tips.
1. Pick the Right Spot
You should be careful when selecting a spot for your home office as this can determine your productivity levels. It can also determine the satisfaction you get from working. Ideally, you should pick a spot that is close to a window as this will give you access to fresh air and natural light.
You also need to set-up the office in a private area that is away from potential distractions. Otherwise, it can be difficult to get anything done. If you don’t have a spare room to use for the office, you can simply carve out some space using cupboards and other pieces of office furniture.
2. Declutter the Office Space
A cluttered office can make you feel overwhelmed and disorganized which can negatively impact your creativity and productivity. You can declutter your office by removing everything from your desk and cleaning it.
Then you can assess each item to determine what needs to be on your office desk. If you are unsure about items, like the office printer, you can place them in an ‘archive’ pile. Trying to rearrange the office can also help you get rid of items that you no longer need.
Home offices tend to be quite small as they are usually treated as an afterthought, so you should install storage units to keep the desk surface tidy.
3. Personalize the Office
Since the office is in your own home, you can play around with the design to make it reflect your preferences. This is very important since you will be spending a good chunk of your day in the office.
A good way to personalize the space is to add inspiring artwork. Try to keep the designs professional and avoid overly personal photos. Nature based photos are always a great option that can create a similar calming effect of nature. You can also make the space feel personal by bringing in your favorite coffee mug and a vase for fresh flowers.
4. Get the Lighting Right
Proper lighting is essential for office spaces. This is because it helps to reduce eye fatigue and headaches. You will also feel more comfortable and productive when working in a properly-lit office. While natural light can be great, it won’t always be sufficient – particularly in winter. That is why you should include directional task lighting, like a desk lamp, in your office design.
This should also be combined with softer lighting from the floor or ceiling. If possible, you can make the lights dimmable for a more comforting glow. As mentioned earlier, you should also position the office near a window as natural light can be soothing.
5. Make Sure the Office is Functional
When designing office spaces, you can easily get overwhelmed and focus on style over function. Your office chair should especially be comfortable as it will improve your posture, reduce back pains, and generally boost your productivity.
Today, you can easily get office chairs that combine style and comfort, so you don’t necessarily need to sacrifice one for the other.
You should also make sure the room is always at the right temperature. You will find the room more comfortable and appealing if you add some fresh plants as these will improve the circulation of air.
6. Store Away Your Home Printer
While home office printers can be very useful, they can at times can be clunky. To avoid cluttering your desk, you should store the printer safely after using it. Avoid storing it in your garage, attic, or basement since they are not generally cool and dry environments.
You can hide it away in an armoire or secretary desk, rolling file cabinet, or an ottoman cabinet. You should also ensure all of the covers of the printer are closed in order to prevent dust and debris from getting into the machine.
Conclusion
To improve your home office set-up, you should select an ideal location that is close to a window and away from distractions. You also need to declutter the space and find storage space for items like the home printer.
In addition, you will have to personalize the office by adding artwork and other decorative items. Make sure you focus on comfort and functionality as these are more important than style when it comes to a home office.