Take your home office to the next level
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, more people are working from home. There are many perks of working from home, like a shorter commute and getting to wear comfy clothes. Be that as it may, if you believed your home office setup would only be temporary, you may have now found yourself in an impractical working environment.
For now, it looks like the work-from-home trend is here to stay, so it’s important that you spend some time creating a home working space that is functional and perfectly suited for your needs. You may not think your home office space matters too much and may not want to spend the money on making some upgrades, but the truth is most of us spend half the day at our desks. A thoughtfully set up space with the proper equipment can really maximize productivity and elevate your remote working experience, and the best part is you don’t even need lots of space to make this happen. With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to use the space you already have to take your home office to the next level!
Dedicate an area
In an ideal world, we’d all have a spare room in our homes to use as a home office, but this just isn’t realistic for most. Luckily, any space in your home can become the perfect office if you get creative. You can easily turn any available corner or nook in your home into an office by strategically placing a desk there. Some great spots to consider are under the stairs or even behind the couch in your living room!
The key things you want to think about when picking a spot in your home to use as your office are minimizing distractions and making that space distinct from other rooms. Consider picking a place that has the least amount of foot traffic and feels slightly removed from the action at home so you can establish a good work-life balance.
Let in the light
If possible, consider setting up your home office near a window. Not only will exposure to natural light help you get your daily dose of Vitamin D and improve your sleep, but it can also energize you, boost your mood, and sharpen your focus. If you don’t have a lot of access to natural light, a bright lamp is a great option, especially if you’re working late into the night.
Follow ergonomic rules
The goal of office ergonomics is not only to ensure your comfort, but also to protect your health! Poor ergonomics can cause you to feel tired more easily and may even lead to injuries or musculoskeletal disorders that develop from poor posture and muscle weakness.
There are many things to consider when setting up an ergonomic home office. You want to make sure your computer, mouse, desk, and chair are all adjusted so that your arms and thighs are parallel to the floor and your back and neck are supported. Splurging on a good chair can be a beneficial investment as it will help prevent aches and pains. Many people today have even turned to standing desks, which help limit the damage sitting all day can do to the body. If you don’t have enough space in your home for a standing desk, you can buy a standing desk extender. When working from home, it’s also important to remember to take frequent breaks to give your eyes a rest from the screen and to stretch and move your body.
Stay organized
If you left papers scattered everywhere at your office, it probably didn’t matter because you got to go home at the end of the day. However, when you work from home, the clutter in your office stays with you. To save yourself the stress of having your work stuff piling up on top of all the stuff in your home, try to keep your workspace as minimal as possible, declutter often, and stay organized with smart storage solutions.
One of the challenges of working from home if you live in a smaller space is the lack of storage space. Options like floating shelves, vertical shelving, or built-in shelving are all great solutions that can help you maximize space if storage is a problem for you.
Stay inspired
Sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated when we’re at home, so you want to find ways to keep your home office inspiring by adding personal touches. Painting the walls your favourite colour, putting up decorations or pictures that inspire you, and surrounding yourself with plants are all ways you can create a home office that will inspire you and boost your creativity.