To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19, countries and companies around the world have transitioned to working remotely. For those who are working from home for the first time, it can be challenging to get into “work mode,” especially if you’re trying to tackle your daily tasks from the comfort of your living room or kitchen.
So, your best bet to maximize your productivity is to create a designated office area where you can work undisturbed with access to all of the tools you need. Here are seven tips that might come in handy as you set up the perfect home office area:
1. Self-Analyze
Before you jump into reorganizing your home, take a step back and consider how it can be of service to you. Start by asking yourself a few questions that will help you select the proper space and equipment to match the work you do.
For instance, think about the time of day you’ll be working, the type of work you carry out and everything else your job description entails. Do you need to make conference calls? What type of equipment or materials do you need to have on hand? And, most important, in what kind of environment can you be the most productive? Once you answer these questions, you’ll know exactly which type of space fits your needs, and you can work toward making it become a reality.
2. Ensure Privacy
Don’t worry if you don’t have a dedicated room where you can set up shop, close the door and work undisturbed for hours on end. You can always opt for a small nook or corner of a room to create an environment that will boost your productivity. In this case, make sure you choose an area that is less-frequented by other members of your family, and try to separate your office nook by moving around some furniture. Likewise, choose a place that isn’t constantly bombarded by traffic noise or other distractions that might interrupt your workflow.
3. Maximize Lighting
When choosing the ideal place to create your home office, consider the brightness of the room. Choose a space that is abundant in natural light, which reduces energy consumption and increases your productivity. If your access to natural light is limited or you prefer to work in the evenings, invest in a good desk lamp and install some ambient lights to bathe your workspace in a soft glow. Additionally, avoid setting your computer screen directly in front of a light source, which can cause eye strain.
4. Be Comfortable
Health and comfort are paramount when it comes to productivity, so make sure you consider both when creating your home office. For example, take the rules of ergonomics into account and use them diligently to set up the perfect workspace. Furthermore, choose furniture and work tools with the proper set-up in mind, and opt for pieces that are ergonomically designed to support your health and wellbeing.
5. Maintain Supplies
You’re probably well aware of the office supplies you need, so do your best to stock up on them to have everything within arm’s reach. Specifically, purchase enough pens, sticky notes and paper to last you for a while and set up your printer if you’ll need access to it on a regular basis. Similarly, double-check your internet connection to make sure you have the proper set-up for conference calls and continuous connection.
6. Get Organized
It might be tempting to set up your home office with all of the newest gadgets and a myriad of supplies that can last you half a lifetime. But, instead, consider a minimalist approach and keep distractions to a minimum to increase productivity. Meanwhile, beware of overcrowding your desk with a ton of stuff you likely won’t even need. Organize your workspace and make sure you have everything you need — but without creating clutter, which can divert your attention from your work.
7. Personalize & Inspire
While personalizing your office space at work has its limits, at home you can highlight your true persona and create the perfect office area that reflects your own personality. Here, you can set up a truly inspiring workspace in tune with your desires and aspirations. So, feel free to unleash your imagination and create the home office of your dreams that will help you reach peak productivity!
