Many of us turned to remote working in the last year and a half. We have worked in our pyjamas from the comfort of our bedrooms and used Zoom to connect with colleagues. However, now that many businesses have adopted a flexible approach to working; remote work, for at least part of the week, is here to stay. If you work from home and intend to do so for the foreseeable future, it’s time to design a home office to settle in to.
Unfortunately, we don’t all have access to a spare room equipped with Scandinavian style furniture and breath-taking views. You might have just a spare corner in your flat, or a table that never gets used. Here are a few ways to make your office a little more productive and suited to your lifestyle.
Location
The best-case scenario is to have an office separate from your bedroom and chill out space. Keeping away from distractions is important too. However, our homes tend to be filled with distractions and sometimes, the best thing you can do is find a dedicated space to work in. You could use your dressing table as a desk, or the edge of the dining room table. Or, maybe you have space to fit a small workstation in the hallway?
Space
You need enough space to work comfortably and move around easily. Try to find somewhere to fit all of your work equipment – such as your laptop, monitors, headphones and paperwork. Set the space up to work for you, and do not sacrifice items you need to work efficiently – whether that’s a scented candle or noise-cancelling headphones.
Desk and chair
Ergonomic desk chairs are the only way to go. You could also look into a laptop stand, wrist guard and various other ergonomic supplies to keep your back, shoulders and wrists comfortable and safe from long-lasting damage.
Storage and shelving
Organisation systems can help you stay on top of paperwork and the thousands of Post-It Notes floating around your desk. Invest in fitted home office furniture and storage to maximise the space available in your room of choice. You might be at home, but you still need to be in the work frame of mind. A tidy and organised desk and good storage systems can help you stay calm and on top of your stress levels at work.
Lighting and view
Dark space can make you feel tired and unmotivated. You need natural light to promote happy hormones and keep your energy stable throughout the day. Put your desk near a window and make sure the windows are open on warm days to get the fresh air flowing. Always opt for a neutral colour palette in your office – many patterns and bright colours could be distracting. You want this space to radiate productivity so you can manage your stress and workload. Then add a few plants to the space to look at, and you’re good to go!
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Image by Jess Bailey from Pixabay
