As more and more of us work from home, there is nothing more important than the feeling that you’re getting the most out of your home office space. Things like clutter, poor lighting or lack of space all contribute to slowed productivity and feelings of stress or frustration. While no work from home office is exactly the same, there are small, easy changes we can all make that will boost productivity, create a sense of comfort and calm, and help us be our best selves at work.
1. Get a well-designed, comfortable chair
Ergonomics might be a forbidden word these days as it elicits memories of painfully lame corporate on-boarding videos, but it is one of the most important changes we can make to our office space. How are you going to take on the world if you’re shuffling uncomfortably through meetings trying to find the right position? A well designed study chair can make all the difference to your work day, and help you stay focussed and efficient. Try to find a chair with good back and lumbar support, and look for features that suit your individual needs, such as arm rests or adjustable seats. It may seem unimportant, but you and your chair will be spending a lot of time together and it’s important to get things juuust right.
2. Make sure you have the right size desk
While it might be tempting to get by squeezing your computer and all your equipment onto a small, cheap desk, sometimes it’s worth taking a step back and making sure you have enough room for everything you want to accomplish. A bigger desk isn’t necessarily a budget breaker either! There are some amazing options out there that won’t stretch the wallet, and leave you with enough workspace to get everything done with ease; hopefully with a little left over to breathe. Make sure you take into account your equipment needs, documents, storage, and always create space for décor or sentimental objects that will gift you the lift you need to carry you through to the end of the work day.
3. Optimise your lighting
A well-lit office is a must for a productive work day. As every workspace is different, each individual will have different lighting needs too, however brightness will always be a common factor. If your desk is next to a window, perhaps a small desk lamp will be sufficient; if your workspace more resembles a library, you might consider getting a floor lamp for ambience and a desk lamp for your workspace. A dull and dim workspace may cause eye strain, affect sleep patterns and generally slow down productivity. While these issues might seem temporary, considering how many hours a week you spend in this space, the ill effects can stack up and become major problems down the line.
4. Declutter and organise
Clutter is the worst thing you can do to productivity. While a lot of us are pretty proud of our ‘organised mess’ systems, at the end of the day, there is nothing more satisfying than a top-to-toe office clean up. However, these things take time that could be spent doing other important work, so prioritising storage and organisational tools in your home office will be a huge help to the work day. Even if you spend your extra time getting a coffee or snack, it’s time better spent, and will help you fuel for the rest of the day. Shelving units, book cases or filing cabinets can all contribute to a decluttered and well organised space. Make sure you have all the paraphernalia you need, such as organisational charts, document folders or drawer dividers. There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to organisation so make sure you carefully consider your individual needs and don’t leave anything out. Finally, make sure you have a miscellaneous area where you can place items you’re not too sure about, which will free up your desk space and stop the creation of clutter in its tracks. Once everything has its own place, take a step back and appreciate how calming and beautiful a well organised work area can really be.
5. Don’t hesitate to rearrange
Sometimes it’s worth taking a day to redesign your space and do some heavy lifting. It may be a pain now, but once everything it is in its optimal place, you will notice how much better you feel while you work, and will probably notice you’re getting a lot more done! Making sure everything you use regularly is within your reach, placing your desk in a place where you have a nice view or giving yourself more floor space to stretch could make a huge difference in your workday. Be mindful of the quirks of your office space, like draughts that may give you a chill or dehydrate you more quickly, or making optimal use of windows and sunlight. Finding the perfect spot for everything might take a little time, but it will be more than worth it in the end. Having an office space that is aesthetically pleasing, optimised and user friendly will improve your outlook on life and work, and help motivate you to tackle each day with verve.
6. Comfort is key
Let’s not forget why we prefer to work from home in the first place! Sure, you save a lot of money and time, but what about the sheer comfort of your own personal space. So why not ham it up? Comfort items like cushions, blankets, candles or rugs can be absolute game changers when it comes to productivity. There’s nothing better than getting snug and toasty under a blanket on a cold day, and now that you’re not sharing an office with your co-workers, you can definitely get as comfortable as possible. Adding cushions to your chair will help you stay focussed longer, and burning your favourite scented candle will add an ambience to your space that is sure to be a massive mood booster. Just make sure you don’t get too comfortable or you might find yourself accidentally napping the day away!
7. Get nostalgic
Our jobs can mean many things to us, they bring us opportunities for growth, give us purpose and create a sense of identity. But a job shouldn’t be your whole life. Make sure you leave room for sentimental items that you will notice throughout the day to remind you of why you work so hard. Framed pictures, travel souvenirs, or even a favourite book, can all put a smile on your face and help you find perspective when things get stressful.
For the amount of time we spend in our home office space, it’s sometimes too easy to get bogged down in the details of work, and neglect our basic needs. But luckily it doesn’t take too long to get back on track. Prioritising you space and creating an efficient, aesthetic and personalised office will have noticeable benefits, improving your mood, motivating you, and helping you increase productivity. Your comfort at work may not seem like the most important part of your work day, but once you start creating the optimal space for your needs, you’ll never look back.