Do you need a dedicated space at home where you can stay focused and productive while working? Whether you work full-time or simply work from home occasionally, setting aside a workspace will help you concentrate on the task at hand and keep your work and home life separate, even when they are under the same roof. Create an environment that keeps you motivated while you work, but which you can leave behind once everything on your to-do list has been ticked off. Although you may not have an entire room to use as an office, you can easily create a functional workspace in almost any area by following these guidelines.
Think about comfort.
Creating a good home office involves much more than what you see on Pinterest. While it is easy to be drawn to gallery walls and high-end office design inspiration on your mood board, make sure you consider the functionality of your space before buying that rustic desk with no storage or that modern acrylic chair without lumbar support. If there is one piece of office furniture worth investing in, it is a high-quality ergonomic chair. Chairs with a wider range of adjustments can accommodate more body types, ensuring that you receive the right support throughout every working day. Choose your desk carefully too. You will need one that is compact enough to fit your floor plan, yet offers sufficient work surface space to comfortably accommodate all your projects.
Support your body ergonomically in other ways by arranging your office furniture so that you can work in a natural posture. The top of your computer monitor should be at or slightly below eye level to reduce the risk of neck pain. Position your keyboard so that your forearms are parallel to the floor, and invest in a footrest if you are shorter so that your feet can remain flat and supported.
Think about design.
Do not overdo the colours and décor in your home office. You can and should make it attractive, but too much colour will distract you from your work. Stick mainly to neutral tones, complemented by accents in just one or two colours. Personal items can help keep you motivated, but make sure they do not become stale. The same photo of your dog that once brightened up your desk will eventually blend into the background after months of looking at it. Replace that old photo with a new one from time to time to maintain visual interest.
If you work from home regularly, you are likely to take part in video conferences from time to time. Make sure the area behind your desk looks neat and tidy, as it will become the professional backdrop for your video calls. Conceal distracting computer cables by choosing a desk with integrated cable management, helping to keep your workspace clear and practical.
Think natural.
One of the greatest benefits of working from home is being able to avoid the stuffy corporate environment. Make the most of it! Try setting up your workspace near a window so that you can enjoy the benefits of natural light while you work. Recreating a corporate cubicle by placing your desk in a dark corner will only make you feel sleepy and hinder inspiration. Lighting in the average home is generally too dim to keep you productive and alert, so make sure you add a desk lamp for times when the sun is not shining. Bring further natural interest to the space by adding some greenery. A small plant can really bring a dull space to life, and most potted plants do not need watering every day, so you will not have to go into your office at weekends.
Think about storage.
Few things create stress more quickly than paperwork scattered everywhere. To keep clutter to a minimum, make sure your workspace includes a good filing cabinet. Do you lack room in your home office for a large lateral filing cabinet? No problem. Many home-office desks come with integrated pedestals that are ideal for saving space. If you already have a desk without pedestals, that is not a problem either. Mobile pedestals are cost-effective, space-saving options that work well in almost any office environment. Most mobile pedestals are designed to fit neatly beneath a desk, keeping them out of the way without taking up too much office space. The greatest advantage of a mobile pedestal is that it can be moved around the office to suit your workflow. Keep it under your desk while working on projects, or move it over to your bookcase when looking for information. Another excellent storage option to consider is a wall-mounted bookcase or magazine rack. Storing books and documents on the wall can save valuable floor space while adding visual appeal to the room.
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