If you’re making the move to work from home, it’s worth dedicating some time to designing your home office.
An efficient work day starts with your environment.Click To TweetA cramped or uninviting office space will hinder your productivity and well-being.
We’ve comprised a list of tips for creating the perfect home office space to maximize your effectiveness.
1. Minimize Distractions
When choosing where your home office will be in the house, make sure it’s as far from noise as possible. One of the benefits of working from home is the increase in productivity experienced because there is less noise than in a shared office space.
Don’t have any TVs or unnecessary screens in your home office and remove any objects that draw your attention away from your work. Avoid bright reds or yellows in the space, as they tend to catch the eye.
2. Optimize the Layout
Have everything you need for work at arm’s length from your seat at your desk. This means there will be less chance of getting distracted from the task at hand when you have to get up for something.
Make sure you keep the space clutter-free so as to create a stress-free environment. A cluttered space can often be reflected in your mindset and leave you feeling foggy and unfocused while you work.
3. Include Productivity-Boosting Features
Plants in the office have been known to increase productivity by 15 percent. To find the right plants for your home office, start by finding ones that will thrive in the low light of an indoor space. If you’re worried about the upkeep, try a cactus or succulent that doesn’t need watering very often.
Some other office features that boost productivity include infusing the room with a calming scent such as lavender or jasmine. Try using cool colors like greens, blues, and violets in the office decor to invoke a sense of relaxation.
4. Health Features of a Good Workspace
There’s no investment quite like that of ergonomic office furniture and equipment. Your health and longevity rely on the products you use in your workspace and how ergonomically designed they are. Fit out your home office with an ergonomic chair to keep your back and neck in healthy alignment, soft keyboard pads to protect your wrists, and a footrest for optimum comfort.
The air quality of your home office is an important factor in your productivity and well-being. Poor air quality can have adverse effects on your productivity, cause irritation for allergy and asthma sufferers, and could even lead to headaches and fatigue.
Making use of air-purifying plants such as English ivy and tiger lilies, running air purifier machines, and having quality heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units installed can help improve the air quality in your home office.
Have your air filter cleaned and your HVAC serviced regularly and repaired when needed. This will stop dust from circulating and increase the air quality of your home office. Keep your productivity and health on top by keeping your air quality high.
Always remember that, though you’re working from home, you’re still a professional. Your home office should reflect that at all times.