Working from home can be a great idea, but as any experienced freelancer or remote worker can tell you, it can quickly descend into a rut of unproductivity.
Even without distractions, working from home will often mean working without the sense of structure that helps many people perform at their best.
Much of this can be resolved simply by creating the right space for your home office. Here’s how!
1. Have a Dedicated Work Space
The first step to creating the ideal conditions for working from your home will be to set up a conducive workspace. This can work even if your home isn't the most spacious.
Check out empty bedrooms, closets, unused corners of large rooms, the basement, or even under the stairs. The goal is, essentially, to find a space that is as remote from the rest of your living space as possible.
Settling into the routine of “reporting” to your workstation daily might also help to serve as a mental trigger for focus and productivity.
2. Add Some Physical Dividers
If you are fortunate enough to have a dedicated room for your home office, privacy may be easy to come by. But if you have your office in a corner of your bedroom, for instance, it can be a bit challenging to separate work from the rest of your life.
Adding some physical dividers or employing the use of curtains are smart (and inexpensive) methods for ensuring privacy in your home office. Additionally, using visual cues such as a “Do Not Disturb” sign could also come in handy in making sure other occupants of your home respect your private time.
3. Add a Personal Touch
According to new research from the University of Exeter’s School of Psychology, employees with more control over the design and layout of their workspaces were happier, healthier, and more productive.
This is evidence that theming or individualizing your home office around your hobbies and interests is a great way to make it comfortable enough to encourage performance. You could hang some framed inspirational quotes for motivation, install a sound system to provide some background music if it helps you focus, create some simple DIY decor, and so on.
When it comes to home office ideas, the possibilities are endless, and the goal is simply to create a welcoming space where you are free to do your best work.
4. Keep Your Work Space Well-Lit
Adequate lighting can help provide the illusion of space and improve the aesthetics of a room. But that's not all—well-lit rooms can help to improve your concentration and productivity.
According to Healthline, bright lighting can trigger the release of a hormone called serotonin, which helps the body feel more alert, while darker lighting can trigger the release of a different hormone, melatonin, and thereby trigger drowsiness.
Sitting near a source of natural light can dramatically improve your productivity, and help to minimize Computer Vision Syndrome, characterized by blurred vision, headaches, and eye strains. Apart from the health benefits, natural light is also aesthetically pleasing; making workspaces airy and seemingly bigger.
When natural lighting is not possible, or you just need more light, light fixtures on the ceilings and walls will also ensure your home office is well-lit.
5. Incorporate Some Brighter Colors
Colors, like lighting, have important subconscious effects on the mind. Graphic designers have always known this, and use colors to create and manipulate perception. But can these effects extend to helping you boost your productivity in your home working space?
Psychologists aren't unified in answering this question, but it does seem likely that incorporating some colors such as white, beige, or green, which are known for their calming effects, could be a good move. At the very least, brighter colors will complement your lighting and create a pleasant, spacey ambiance.
6. Buy the Right Equipment
People may think that working from home is more comfortable than working in an office. While being able to work in your pajamas and report to your dining table/workstation might seem convenient, it may not always provide the right level of comfort and may cause physical discomfort, particularly to the lower back.
While there may be a number of factors that contribute to back pain, sitting for long hours without proper support for your back can be a quick ticket to back pain and other concerns.
The good news is that you might be able to prevent this simply by being more intentional in your choice of equipment and furniture.
You might know to get ergonomic chairs, but investing in the right computer monitor can also help to reduce the strain on your eyes and neck.
You may also consider investing in an ergonomic height-adjustable desk. With these innovative desks, you can sit when you feel like it, and stretch your legs when you need to by bringing your desk to standing height with the push of a button.
7. Tidy Up Your Space
Very few people genuinely function well in clutter. Clutter can be very distracting and may easily trigger procrastination and a general lack of focus.
You can keep clutter at bay by investing in some solid storage solutions for your home office space such as pen pots, paper trays, shelves, storage boxes, and filing cabinets to store important documents.
And while you're at it, be sure to tidy up your virtual space too. Online storage spaces such as Google Drive are useful tools that help you store, organize and access your files as and when needed.
8. Get Faster Internet
We probably don't need to remind you of the importance of having a suitably fast and reliable internet connection. There are few more frustrating things for any remote worker than experiencing some unanticipated downtown due to unreliable or slow internet connection.
It may be a good idea to invest in high-grade Wi-Fi plans and equipment, but before you do, try these tips to improve your current Wi-Fi speeds. Your current Wi-Fi setup might be adequate after all—but don't hesitate to upgrade to a better plan that could save you time and money in the long run.
Boost Your Productivity With Your Revamped Home Office!
For many people, the convenience of working from home can be offset by a drop in productivity. This doesn't always have to be the case. By using the tips mentioned above, you will boost your productivity and reap the full benefits of working from home.
In addition to creating the ideal home office, you may also consider making a few lifestyle changes to improve your productivity while working from home.