In the 21st century, and certainly within the last couple of years, the idea of working from home is no longer just a dream that a lot of workers have; it’s actually a reality. So, finally, the work-life balance is being addressed more seriously, and those who need more flexible working and still want to do well in their careers are being offered the opportunity. For employers, offering the option to work from home means they can be competitive in a job market that offers plenty of choices, and for the workers themselves, it means there is less chance of burnout and much more job satisfaction, which is good for everyone.
That being said, working from home does present its own set of challenges, and the biggest of these is setting up the home office in the right way. Unless this is taken seriously, the worker can become unproductive, uncomfortable, and unhappy, which is detrimental to them and the business they work for, even if they work for themselves. Therefore, here are some of the best tips for creating the perfect home office that will allow you to work well and be an essential part of any team.
Ergonomics
When choosing furniture for your perfect home office, you’ll need to take the science of ergonomics into consideration. Ergonomics is the process of ensuring that any chairs, desks, footrests, and other pieces of furniture fit the user properly, giving them the most comfort and support possible. Of course, if you worked out of the home, your employer would have to legally provide this equipment, so it’s crucial you have it at home as well; it’s clearly important.
The more comfortable you are, the more productive you will be, as you won’t be distracted by any pain in the neck, back, shoulders, and so on. However, if you think this means you can sit in your bed or an armchair to do work, this won’t be good for you either; you won’t have the support to stay comfortable for long in this way, and again, your productivity will suffer. This is why it’s so vital to find the right furniture and ensure that you are using it in the right way.
Make It Comfortable
Although, as we’ve already mentioned, using something like a bed or an armchair is a bad idea, and therefore not the best way to work even if it might be comfortable, comfort is still crucial; you just have to go about it the right way. If your home office is not comfortable, it will become easier and easier to find an excuse not to be in there, which will only lead to late work and panic.
Rather than wanting to go to other areas of the house and away from your desk, if you can make your home office as comfortable as you can, then you’ll be in there more and get more work done. Make sure you have something like a 6 ft bean bag in the corner for when it’s time to take a break (not for working on, of course), and decorate the space with houseplants, for example. Personalize the room with pictures of your family or your achievements, and so on. Make it a space you truly want to spend time in; after all, you should be in there for around eight hours a day.
Natural Light
Natural light is important for our general health; it boosts the mood, increases the metabolism, and ensures that the circadian rhythm is working well (meaning that it’s easier to sleep at the right time). All of this means that working from home is less arduous and you won’t feel unwell.
Sitting in a room with no windows is a bad idea, as you will want to let in as much natural light as possible. In fact, if there is a choice between a large room with no windows and a much smaller room with natural light entering, the latter is a much better choice; you’ll get a lot more work done there.
Ideally, you should place your desk next to the window and not directly underneath it. Of course, you’ll need to be able to look outside once in a while, but it shouldn’t be something that takes up all of your vision, or, even though natural light is good for you, it will be another distraction.
Storage
Working in a tidy environment is another way to ensure better productivity and fewer distraction. The phrase ‘tidy desk, tidy mind’ might sound like a cliché, but it’s true, nonetheless. The fewer things you have scattered around, the easier it will be to work. This is why adequate storage is essential.
Depending on how large the room is, you might want to invest in some storage cabinets or filing cabinets. If space is at a premium, shelves and even magazine racks can make a big difference. Plus, when choosing your ergonomically designed desk, the best thing to look for is drawers. Try to pick a desk that has drawers rather than one without, and you’ll gain even more storage.
