Home Sweet Home Office: How to Guide
Your work station shouldn’t be an afterthought and with so many of us working remotely as we start the new year, getting it right has never been so important! The perks of working remotely are plentiful- you can create a space that ensures a highly productive and personalised atmosphere; combining ergonomics, plants, and tech, bespoke to your preferences and needs.
“If your work space is more of an afterthought you might want to update your remote working office”
First stop is to analyse the purpose of your work station. If it’s a home office you’ll most likely be inhabiting the same space day in day out; creating a feel separate from the rest of your home will help you focus, as having a distinctive space will help you mentally break and separate your home life and work routines.
As we kick off a new working year, here’s some of our top tips for investing in both yourself and your workspace in 2021:
Find your space
While having high functioning tech and storage are a must, you can also add a personal touch to your space which will help keep it functional and fun! If you are lucky enough to have a spare bedroom, basement or attic, you might want to make good use of it by adequately setting up your remote working office. You can always turn the guest room into a dual-purpose space. If you don’t, worry not- alternatively you can create your wfh office in any corner of your living room, kitchen or even your bedroom.
Once you have selected your designated space make sure you remove any potential distractions, you are there to work after all!
Make the most of what you’ve got
If your office is small, you’ll want to make the most of the space you’ve got. A cluttered space is off putting and can sometimes feel a little claustrophobic.
While we all have our own ways of working and some prefer an ‘organised mess’, the key is still organisation. Maximise your space by storing paperwork into file dividers or boxes — they’ll also stop you from frantically searching for that one document for ten minutes.
Purchase a pair of drawers to store away other equipment or stationery that isn’t needed on your desk. You don’t have to spend a lot of money kitting out your office- a quick trip to IKEA will give you loads of ideas.
Tailor your desk and monitor height
You know your work surface is at the correct height if, when you sit up straight, your forearms are parallel to the ground and your wrist is not bent up or down when you type or use your mouse.
The top surface of your wrist should essentially be on the same plane as the top of your forearm, with your fingers dangling slightly down to the keyboard. Bending the wrists for prolonged periods is an easy way to cause injury.
Keep ergonomics in mind
When it comes to outfitting your personal office space, don’t skimp on seating — your health is in question!
Your office chair is where you will be spending eight hours a day: keep back pain, a cramped neck, and shoulder strain at bay by investing in a good quality, comfortable, ergonomically-designed office chair. Why not try something like this?
More plants
Adding plants to your space is a wonderful way to improve your mental health, work output and gain kudos for your style on those never ending Zoom calls! Combine with some art or bookshelves to make it both stylish and versatile. Find a few ideas for just that here or here.
Remember to take note of natural light
It’s very easy to underestimate the effects of your work environment on your ability to work. The benefits of natural light are often underestimated. Ideally, you will have sufficient indirect light to illuminate your workspace, so you can easily read papers and see physical objects. Overhead lighting is usually best, such as from a ceiling lamp.
If you can, try to set up your home office in an area that receives plenty of natural light. Besides boosting morale, there’s a scientific reason why natural light is important — according to this study, natural lighting actually improves office workers’ productivity and quality of life.
Separate work mode from home mode
When working from home on a regular basis, it’s important that you create a clear distinction between home and work life. This is especially true if you decide to invite colleagues or clients over in the future.
If you’re working whilst sprawled on the sofa or lying in bed, how productive do you feel? The answer is probably not very. By creating a separate office environment, you’ll retain the professional and productive feelings you’d get in a more traditional workspace.
Creating a home office will help to retain your privacy, whilst ensuring you aren’t distracted. After all, no one can be productive if they can hear a TV blaring in the background.
Keep it focused
As tempting as it might be, avoid the urge to use your new office space for anything other than work. Studies have shown that using a workspace for non-work activities, even after “work hours,” can actually limit your productivity in the long run. Clearing away distractions, such as a TV or game consoles, will help keep your home office a dedicated working space, so that you can focus on what’s important — getting your work done.
Last but not least; it’s all about the colours
Like music and pictures, colours evoke certain emotions within us. Whilst you may not be overtly aware of this, colour is more powerful than you think and is something to bear in mind when decorating your home office. Why not get some much needed inspo here!
