Creating A Productive Home Office: 19 Ways To Optimise Your Work Space
In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to work from home. Thanks to cloud-based software, we can easily access our company’s files and programs from anywhere with an internet connection. And as a result, the number of employees working from home has increased steadily over the past few years. However, creating a productive home office is more than just a desk, chair and computer. The right environment is essential to staying on task, avoiding distractions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
There are many things to consider when setting up a home office, including lighting, noise isolation, desk height and ergonomics, internet connectivity, and more. In order to create a productive workspace that optimises your efficiency, keep reading for nineteen top ways you can create a stylish office with everything you need to get your work done.
Purchase The Right Technology
Having the right technology installed in a home office is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it can help to increase productivity and efficiency by providing the tools and resources needed to get work done effectively. This can include things like a reliable computer and internet connection, as well as specialized software or applications that are necessary for the specific tasks being performed. Additionally, having the right technology can help to ensure that important documents and data are stored securely, and can make it easier to collaborate with colleagues or clients remotely. For small businesses, having a good quality copier can also be crucial for handling the various printing and copying needs that arise on a daily basis. Good copiers for small business can be a valuable asset, helping to save time and money by handling these tasks in-house, rather than having to outsource them to a third party.
Install Good Lighting
Lighting can have a big impact on your productivity. Ideally, you want to create a balance between natural and artificial light in your home office. For natural lighting, consider placing your desk near a window that gets a lot of light. To increase the brightness of your workspace and reduce glare, install blinds or curtains to let in filtered light. And if you want to create a more consistent light source, artificial light is the way to go. Fluorescent lights, incandescent bulbs, and LED lights are great options, but they can cause eye strain if you’re exposed to them for long periods of time. That’s why it’s important to install the right kind of lighting: Ideally, you want light bulbs that emit warm light to reduce eye strain. If you can, install dimmable lights so you can create the ideal brightness for your home office.
Noise Isolation
If your home office is in a room that’s near a busy street, loud neighbours, or a family member who likes to blast music, you need to find a way to block the noise. Install soundproofing on your walls, or use an app or device like an air purifier, white noise machine, or sound cancelling headphones to create a quiet environment that helps you stay focused on your work.
Add A Standing Desk
A standing desk is ideal for those who spend a lot of time at their workstation. Working at a standing desk is better for your health, as it encourages you to move around more and improves your circulation. Standing desks come in all different shapes, sizes and price points. In fact, you can find the best standing desks for tall people online. You just have to search for it. There are options for every budget, so no matter what your financial situation is, you can find one that suits your needs.
Organise Your Workspace
A cluttered workspace can be a source of stress and a source of distraction. It’s recommended that you keep your desk and surrounding surfaces tidy at all times. Whether you use drawer organisers or file folders, or a combination of both, keeping your papers and important documents in designated places makes it a lot easier to find what you’re looking for when you need it. It also helps reduce clutter and creates a more professional look. If you’re in a creative field, adding a whiteboard to your home office is another great way to keep your space tidy and organised.
Stay Comfortable With An Ergonomic Chair
An ergonomic chair is essential for those who work at a desk all day, as it can help you avoid back pain and other health issues. You can find the best office chairs and ergonomic chairs in a variety of styles, colours, and materials. If you’re looking to purchase a new chair, it’s important to find one that’s comfortable and fits your body type.
Put In High-Quality Carpet
If you’re trying to create a stylish office, or you just want to add some luxury and comfort to your home office, consider putting in high-quality carpet. Not only does it look great, but it can also be a practical choice for your home office by adding insulation and soundproofing to your floor. While low-quality carpets often begin to look worn quickly, high-quality carpets remain softer for longer while insulating your room from noise so you can focus with fewer distractions. If you want to add some luxury to your home office, you can find plenty of ideas for a new carpet at Designer Carpet.
Maximise Your Vertical Space With Storage Solutions
It’s important to maximise your vertical space in your home office, especially if you’re working in a small room. You can do this by adding furniture with storage, like bookshelves and cabinets. If you can, try to place your desk against a wall so you can add as much storage as possible. This can help to keep your workstation tidy while giving you plenty of space to store your files, books, and other items.
Bring In Natural Daylight With Big Windows
If you have the space, it’s ideal to allow as much natural light into your home office as possible. Not only does natural light help to keep your home bright and inviting, but it can also help you stay more focused and alert. If your current office space only has a small window, now is a great time to get a quote from a local contractor and install big windows in your office to bring in as much natural light as possible.
Create The Illusion Of Space With Mirrors
Mirrors are a great way to create the illusion of space in a small home office. This can be helpful if you have limited space in your home or want to brighten up a dark room. If you don’t have a lot of wall space to work with, consider installing a large mirror in a prominent position, such as above your desk, to reflect light and create the illusion of a larger room.
Make Sure You Have Room To Move
Whether you’re getting up to open the window, walking across the room to grab a book off a shelf, or moving around to avoid getting too comfortable in one position, having enough space in your office to move around comfortably is important. Having enough space in your home office also makes it easier to get work done. Not only does having enough room help you avoid feeling cramped and uncomfortable, but it also makes it easier to stay focused. Having the ability to walk away from your desk and clear your mind from time to time will help you stay focused and make it easier to get work done.
Add An Armchair For Comfortable Breaks
When you’re in the middle of a task and find yourself getting tired, it can be difficult to take a break and get back into the right headspace. However, taking periodic breaks is essential to keeping your energy levels up and maintaining your productivity. It’s also a good idea to get up from your desk every hour or so to stretch your legs, get a change of scenery, and give your eyes a break from the screen. An armchair will allow you to take a comfortable break from your desk without feeling like you’re completely distancing yourself from your work.
Go For A Calm And Neutral Colour Scheme
When designing your home office, you want to create a space that is clean, calm and serene. A colour scheme with plenty of neutral tones will create a calm, zen-like atmosphere without being too distracting. Dark blue, grey and brown are colours that are great for this. Alternatively, you can go for a lighter colour scheme consisting of white, beige and light blue. Whichever colours you choose, make sure they are a neutral shade to avoid a cluttered look. Strong patterns or bold colours can be distracting and irritating. By using a calm colour scheme, you can create a clean and serene office space where you can work in comfort without being distracted by bright colours.
Bring The Outside In With Plenty Of Plants
There’s no doubt that bringing the outdoors inside helps to create a calm and relaxing environment. The addition of plants to your office will also help to reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your home office, which can be particularly helpful if you have allergies or asthma. Plants also help to improve the quality of the air in your home by filtering out toxins and providing fresh oxygen. There are many different types of plants you can choose from, depending on the type of environment you want to create for your office. Plants that require a lot of light are best for windows, while those that require low light can be placed on bookshelves or table tops.
Keep Your Desk Tidy And Organised
Having an unorganised desk can make it difficult to find what you’re looking for and can create unnecessary clutter. Keeping your desk tidy and organised will make it easier to find what you’re looking for and keep you focused on getting your work done. You can use desk organisers, stacking trays, and cork boards to keep your desk neat and tidy. Use a calendar to keep track of important due dates and a to-do list to prioritise your tasks. You can also store important documents and files in file holders or binders on your desk.
Add Personal Touches
Personal touches help to make your home office feel more like a home office and less like a sterile work environment. You can add plenty of personal touches to your office to help make it feel more like a home away from home without hindering your productivity. For example, you can use decorative items like throw blankets, bookshelves, framed photos, candles, baskets, vases, and decorative plants. You can also add personal touches by using decorative items, such as wall art, rugs, and decorative lighting.
Install A Sound System For Music
While working in complete silence might help some people stay focused, others find it too distracting. If you’re the type of person who finds silence too distracting, install a sound system that allows you to play music or podcasts. You can also use apps to play ambient sounds, such as the sound of rain or a coffee shop, to help drown out external noise. This will help to create a more relaxed environment while helping to keep your mind focused on getting your work done.
Hang Artwork For A Touch Of Luxury
Even though you’re working at home, it’s important to create a professional environment, especially if you plan to work with clients in the future. Wall art can add a touch of luxury to your office and help make it feel more professionally designed. Choose artwork that matches your style and colour palette, and don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles to create a more eclectic look.
Add A Splash Of Colour With Cushions
When you go for a neutral colour scheme in your home office, it doesn’t mean you have to go without colour completely. You can still add splashes of colour around the room with your decorations, artwork, and with cushions. Cushions are an excellent way to add colour and bring extra comfort to the space when you need a break from your computer.
Consider Installing Bi-Fold Windows
Home offices can become stuffy, especially during the warmer months of the year. To combat the lack of airflow in your home office, why not consider getting bi-folding windows? These windows open and fold against one side of the wall, which means you can get a better flow of air whenever your office is beginning to feel hot or stuffy. Bi-fold windows are also a great way to bring a luxurious feel to your home office. They can help you create the perfect aesthetic for your home office and can be customised to fit your design style.
Final Thoughts
Creating a productive home office is essential if you want to be as productive as possible while working from home. The key to creating a great home office is to have the right environment. The right lighting, temperature and noise insulation are essential to staying on task, avoiding distractions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Creating a stylish and functional home office can be challenging, but with the right furniture and decorations, you can create the perfect home office.