Work from Home? Design Your Home Office
Working from home has its pros and cons. While you can enjoy being your own boss, you have to face the constant interruptions from family life or face that pile of dirty dishes. So today, we want to help you decorate your home office and keep up good habits that encourage productivity.
You must understand that even though you’re at home, you’re working. You have to help your family understand this as well.
If you have children, they’ll have a hard time not bursting in on you. On the other hand, if you live alone, stopping yourself from heading into the kitchen or going back to bed will be the hardest factors to overcome.
In light of all this, you should adopt habits that will help make you increase productivity. In addition, create a setting that helps you get to work.
Creating a setting for productivity
Lighting
If your home gets natural light, try setting up your home office next to it and be wary of reflections. Or, if you need artificial light, avoid ceiling lamps as they create uncomfortable shadows that will tire your vision. Try a flex desk lamp instead.
Boundaries
You need to clearly mark out your work zone. Having a separate room is ideal but it’s not always possible.
If you have to fit your home office in a different space, mark out the space. You can do so by using a rug, screen or even by painting the wall a different color.
Natural decor that re-energizes
Keep a plant close by. Cacti are great for absorbing electromagnetic waves that leak from computers. But you can hang another plant from a shelf and let the leaves fall down towards your desk. They’ll give you good energy and purify your setting.
Furniture
When it comes to home office furniture, there are two main pieces: the desk and chair. You have more flexibility when choosing a desk. Look for something simple, easy-to-clean and appropriately sized.
On the other hand, you need to be pickier with your chair. More so than having a nice appearance, you have to make sure that it’s ergonomic. Protect your back and rest your legs comfortably by finding a quality chair.
Organization
Make sure you don’t waste time looking for misplaced items. Buy filing cabinets and colorful boxes that inspire you and help you keep your papers in order.
Colors
Try looking for colors that motivate you. But they shouldn’t distract you. Green and blue are very relaxing colors that have creative properties. Try painting your walls or adding details in these colors.
Extra details
We can also look to Feng Shui for tips on creating healthy spaces fit for work zones. Feng Shui says that chair backs should be against a wall or high enough to make us feel protected.
It also says that wood is an element that offers serenity while glass helps stimulate energy. Pick the material that your setting needs.
Fill your office with things that inspire you – hang up a picture of paradise if you can’t see it from your window or put up a board with inspirational phrases and goals. Staying positive and creating intimate spaces is very important, especially if you work from home.
Good habits to form if you work from home
- Get up, shower, get ready and have breakfast every morning. Staying at home in your pajamas won’t help you be productive. On the contrary, it inspires apathy and over time, you’ll begin to let yourself go and decrease in productivity.
- Take breaks and only when you plan on taking them. Taking a breather is helpful, but breaks shouldn’t become distractions. Take a 15-minute break every hour, move around, breathe, stretch and get back to work.
- Keep distractions at bay. In other words, goodbye cellphones, personal emails, and social media. Getting sucked into these distractions is all too easy. Don’t fall behind on your tasks and don’t lose your work rhythm by slowing down to respond to personal messages.