How to Design Your Home Office for Increased Productivity
Working from home can have it’s ups and downs. You want to make sure that your space is as comfortable but work-environment friendly as possible, which is no easy task. When you walk into your office at work, it may be personalised, but you can feel you’re no longer home, which usually puts you in the right mindset to be productive and get all your work done. Working from home is a different story completely.
“Hmm, should I wash those dishes?”
“I think I’ll make another cup of tea…”
“So much easier to just stay in my pyjamas today.”
The list goes on, and less work actually gets done. But (and this is a big ‘but’) if you make your space work-friendly, give yourself an environment that feels like work-away-from-work, you’re likely to be much more focused and less distracted. Let’s see how to design your home office in the most functional and work-friendly way:
Your Office Location
Choosing a space in your home for your office is the most important step. I believe that you shouldn’t work where you sleep, so the bedroom is a no-no for me, but if it’s the only space you have to put your desk, it’s okay (we can compromise). Ideally, a separate room that is your designated office would work best, but if that’s not possible then try find a quiet corner with natural light and a window close-by (the fresh air does wonders for creativity and productivity) and we’ll get into the importance of a view further on. If you’re going to have meetings from your home office or if clients will be coming by, then a private space with sufficient seating is imperative.
Choose Beautiful But Functional Furniture
Furniture shopping is the best, but it can also be dangerous and counteractive. Something stylish and chic may not be functional nor realistic. Assess your space, check it out with a measuring tape, decide exactly what you need before you get to the store (Shelving? Storage? A desk and chair?). Then you have carte blanche to shop for items that are both beautiful and functional, to make your space aesthetic as well as practical.
Invest In An Ergonomic Chair And A Good Desk
Make sure that your desk and chair also serve their ergonomic purposes and don’t just look good. If you’re going to be sitting at your desk for most of the day, you need something healthy and comfortable. A dining room or living room chair may be more convenient and look super sleek or rustic, but your back will suffer in the long run.
“Consider foot rests, ergonomic mouse instruments shaped to fit your hand and soft keyboard pads that allow rest and relaxation for the wrist, and foot rests. All enhance the work experience and make your time at work less stressful to your body.” — Entrepreneur.com
Good Lighting Is A Must
Although I mentioned earlier that natural lighting is important, it’s just as vital to have a good table or desk lamp to ensure that your eyes are never strained and to reduce the chances of getting a headache. LED lamps are your best best, and one that can simultaneously charge your phone is even better! These kinds of quirky, technologically advanced products are what can really turn your home office around.
Keep It Neat
There’s really nothing like a clean and neat office space. Your mind feels as clear as the space around you. I know all about organised chaos, trust me, but when you can keep things filed, ordered and tidy you feel ready to conquer the world. Buy small containers, boxes, filing shelves, whatever you need to keep your space far away from the hustle and bustle of a messy office desk.
Go Wild With Your Walls
I seem to be chastising any type of mess or creativity, so I thought I’d give you a break here. Don’t keep the walls of your home office a monotonous colour. Choose a shade that gets your creative juices flowing, make you feel inspired and motivated. I once worked in an office that put huge murals on the walls with inspirational quotes by important people (like Nelson Mandela and Mark Zuckerberg). If I was ever feeling a bit slow, all I needed to do was read the quote and embrace the colour and I was back on track in no time. If inspo quotes are your thing, do it! Others prefer calming colours like light green or ocean blue to perform well. Research how colours can affect your mood — totally into that stuff!
“Accents and shades of purple have been proven to stimulate imagination. Purple or lavender tones cross the line between warm and cool tones and can evoke a favorable response when focus and concentration are required.” — Entrepreneur.com
Don’t Face The Wall
It might be the least distracting, but it may also drive you a bit mad. If you have a window in your space, put your desk facing it so you get a nice view. If not, hang a beautiful photo or an inspirational quote above your desk. Another nice idea is to put a wall calendar up or a white board with some markers, so you can always have your to-do list at eye level. Convenient and productive! Woo!
Inspire Yo’self
Put together a few things you love within your eyesight — some cherished souvenirs, a sentimental gift, a special photo of loved ones on your desk — that will inspire and motivate you to be creative and/or get the work done. My favourites are photographs, old birthday cards and a lucky charm that my late grandmother gave me. You do your thing.
To conclude, make sure that your office is connected to you, your spirit and your productivity. It should encourage you to focus rather than distract, and be a space where you want to be and want to spend time in.
