Technological advances have allowed for more people to work remotely from home office spaces.
With the recent Covid-19 outbreak, more people are working from home than ever before! Those who never had a home office are now finding themselves spending their entire work week (and all the rest of their time, for that matter) from the comfort of their own home.
Most people are finding that working from home has made them more productive, there are fewer distractions, less noise, comfortable clothes and no commuting stress! Others are scrambling to make their home office both practical and comfortable.
As tempting as it is to work from bed, you will be more productive and life may feel more “normal” if you craft an intentional workspace for yourself.
We have compiled these 9 tips to help you create the optimal home office space!
1 Invest in a Great Chair
If you spend most of your day sitting, buying a great chair is the best investment in keeping a healthy posture! A comfortable and ergonomic seat is worth every dime.
If you’re on a budget, you could consider buying an exercise ball instead.
An exercise ball engages your core, improves your posture and can decrease back pain. Because it requires active engagement of your muscles, you could burn some extra calories while you sit!
2 Desk
I know we JUST told you to invest in a great chair, but variety is the spice of life! Being sedentary can be really hard on your body, no matter how ergonomic your seat is.
Having the option to stand can invigorate your work day by shaking up the norm.
If you already love your desk, or are not inclined to make a big purchase right now, you can actually get a desk extender that sits on top of your desk.
These extenders will raise your workstation to a comfortable height while you stand and can be easily removed if you want to sit.
3 Less Visual Clutter
A minimalist aesthetic may make a difference in productivity by providing few visual distractions. Try to focus on essentials, like a laptop, printer, desk and cabinets.
You can still have space for personal items, especially if they help motivate you to do your best work.
That may be a picture of your family to remind you to work efficiently so you can spend more time together, a souvenir from a trip to encourage you to do the work that maintains your lifestyle, or some artwork that brings you joy.
4 Organize
A clear space makes for a clear mind. I know I work better when my space is clutter free. Plus, cleaning your workspace can help jumpstart your productivity if you are having a tough time getting motivated.
Floating shelves are a great way to add storage without taking up valuable floor space.
If you are prone to collecting stacks of paper, putting them in a basket can make them seem less chaotic. Cork boards can be a tremendous help if you like looking at your to-do list, a calendar and other visual aids all at once.
5 Wire taming
When we had to create a home office space in response to Covid-19, all of the new wires in our small den turned office drove me crazy.
Unless you can afford to update and go wireless, you can help manage cords by checking out this useful life hack.
6 Lighting
Two of the biggest complaints of working from a home office are eye strain and backlighting issues while on video conferences.
The American Optometric Association reports that over half of office workers who regularly use computers suffer from eye strain.
Eye strain is not just caused by staring at a screen, the lighting in your workspace may contribute.
Help your eyes out by reducing harsh interior lighting, minimizing glare from windows directing in front or behind you and adjusting your screen brightness to be about the same as your work environment can help.
7 Work/Life Separation
First and foremost, do NOT work from your bedroom unless it is absolutely necessary. This helps your brain associate your workplace with productivity and your sleep space with rest.
Having a separate workspace will help you stay focused when you’re on the clock, and rest when it’s quittin’ time.
Creating boundaries between work and life is always a challenge. This is particularly harder when working from home, especially if your family is home too.
Consider investing in a door that provides you with better acoustic insulation, especially if you spend a lot of time on conference calls. Your co-workers will appreciate less background noise, especially if you have children.
8 When in doubt, plant it out
Especially now, when many of us are being asked to refrain from making unnecessary trips into the world and parks are closed, moving plants into your workspace can inspire and invigorate.
Research what plants will be happy in your light conditions and give it a try!
9 Keep Supplies Handy
Set up your space so that you have fewer reasons to get up and get distracted.
Keep all of your necessary supplies handy and consider putting a snack station or coffee maker in your office so you don’t have to constantly dart out into the kitchen.
