The perks of working from home are plentiful: no long commutes, flexible hours, the option to work while wearing your favorite pajamas, and having your furry friends by your side. That said, staying productive while working from home takes a unique environment. Otherwise, one minute you’re answering emails, and the next, you’re watching your favorite show on Netflix!
To set yourself up for success, here are tried-and-tested tips for creating a productive home office setup. If you’re new to the home office life or even if you’re just in need of an upgrade, these strategies will help you get on the right track.
This may seem obvious, but it’s essential to carve out a dedicated spot for working. Working from your bed one day, your dining table the next, and the sofa after that can be detrimental to productivity. Instead, pick a spot in your home and make it your office space.
Whether it’s a room of its own or just one corner of the house, dedicating a spot to work will help you get into the right mindset. It will also make it easier for your family and roommates to recognize when you’re “at work” and, therefore, should not be disturbed. As you pick a spot, make sure that it's cordoned off from distractions like the living room TV.
Did you know that having an ergonomic chair guarantees between 15%-20% more productivity? Yes, sitting on your couch or bed may seem comfortable at first, but after a while, your neck and back will start to ache. As such, make sure that you invest in ergonomic furniture for your home office setup.
Get an adjustable chair with lumbar support, as well as items like wrist rests and footrests. As for the desk, make sure that it’s at an appropriate height for your arms and legs. This will help you avoid slouching and motivate you to stay productive all day long.
The same goes for the accessories you use. Invest in a laptop stand at eye level and a separate keyboard & mouse to ensure proper posture when seated. Most of these items are relatively inexpensive and will pay off in the long run with improved productivity and fewer trips to the chiropractor!
One of the biggest benefits of working from home is having access to natural light, unlike those who work in a traditional office setting – 47% of employees admitted that they feel tired or very tired from the absence of natural light or a window at their office!
So, when creating your home office setup, make sure that you embrace what nature has to offer. Find a spot where you can access natural light and enjoy its many benefits, like increased alertness, improved mood, and enhanced productivity.
Plus, if you work at night, avoid working in dimly lit rooms and use adjustable lamps to brighten your work area. Not only will it help you stay alert, but it will also ensure that you don’t strain your eyes during long work hours.
Working from home comes with a lot of meetings, and having the right tech stack is essential for productivity. You might want to invest in a camera with a wide-angle lens to capture multiple persons on the call.
Additionally, consider investing in an external microphone which will allow for increased audio clarity and noise-canceling properties - this is especially important if you’re having online meetings with clients or colleagues and you happen to live in a noisy home or neighborhood.
Then, you want to ensure that your software is up to date. Check that you have the necessary plugins and add-ons for your tasks, and that all of your tech components are working in harmony (for instance, the camera, microphone, and speakers should all be compatible).
Finally, upgrade your internet connection with the fastest plan available. This will help you avoid unnecessary lags and drops during calls or live-streaming sessions.
The more things you have lying around your office, the more distracted you’ll be because you'll feel that everything is calling for your attention. This is actually science. Not just that, but being organized will save you 60 minutes a day. Couldn't we all use an extra hour in our days?
Therefore, always take the time to declutter your workspace and organize your items in a way that’s easy to access. Use baskets and drawers for small items, use vertical storage solutions like bookshelves or wall organizers, and label everything, so you know where to find it when needed.
Finally, if you're more of a visual learner, consider using whiteboards or wall planners to keep track of your tasks or ideas instead of writing them down on sticky notes and throwing them all over your desk.
Excessive screen time will not only cause eye strain, but it can also interfere with your sleep cycle. That’s why investing in blue-light-blocking glasses is a must for any home office.
These glasses help reduce the amount of blue light that reaches your eyes and ensure that you don’t suffer from headaches or fatigue when working on computers for long periods. They also help keep your circadian rhythm in check so that you’re able to get the restful sleep you need when it's time to clock out from work.
So, if you spend several hours each day looking at a screen, make sure that blue-light-blocking glasses are part of your home office setup. Take the time to find the right pair that best suits your needs and preferences, and you’ll start seeing results in no time.
Just like any other space in your home, make sure that your home office reflects your personality and the type of work you do. For example, if you’re a creative or an artist, add some colorful accents or art pieces to the room. If you’re a minimalist, choose clean lines and less clutter in your design.
Regardless of what you choose, make sure that it not only looks great but also feels comfortable. After all, this is where you’ll spend most of your time during working hours. You should motivate and inspire yourself every day by creating an atmosphere that can help boost your productivity, and the best way to do this is by making it yours.
Now that you know how to set up a productive home office, it’s time to start taking action! At the end of the day, getting your home office up and running is an investment in yourself - one that’s sure to pay off in spades as you increase productivity and efficiency.
And remember, you don't have to do it all at once. Start with the basics, and add more features as you start to feel more comfortable in your own environment. Happy working!
