Switching to working from home is always exciting as it does away with the travel and strict work schedules. However, after some time, you may realize that your productivity has gone down a bit, especially if you were used to a traditional office environment. To enhance your efficiency, you will need to set up a working environment that helps you stay productive.Â
This, of course, starts with having a dedicated workspace in your home. From there, you can go ahead and set it up to make it comfortable and functional. Below are some tips to guide you through the process.
Get the Right FurnitureÂ
Furniture is the basic starting point, as without it, it’s just some space not an office. You can start by getting a chair that provides good lumbar support and can be adjusted to fit your height and preferences. This, of course, will go hand in hand with a spacious desk that can allow you to organize everything you need for your work day.
From there, you can then make your office more functional with things like file cabinets or some practical bookcases and standing shelves. When choosing the furniture, ensure you consider things such as size, material, and style. You’ll want furniture that fits well and complements the overall aesthetic of your home office.
Set Up Proper Lighting
You are no longer on the fifteenth floor of a high-rise building with 15-foot windows, so you’ll need to care about your lighting. This is important as light helps set the mood, and the right lighting can help you stay focused and reduce eyestrain. Natural light is the best as it helps keep people more awake and alert. Ideally, position your desk perpendicular to the window to avoid eyestrain but still utilize the natural light well.
In addition to natural light, you should also consider using bright overhead lighting to ensure the office is well-lit. You can also add supplemental lighting, like desk lamps, to create a warm atmosphere. Remember to use energy-efficient bulbs like LED or CFL bulbs, as they are bright but don’t generate much heat.
Organize Your Workspace
They say a cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind, and it’s true for many people. This is because a disorganized workspace often leads to distractions, lost items, and a lack of focus. To avoid such, identify what you need in your home office, in terms of equipment, supplies, and reference materials. Start by getting rid of what you don’t need, and then group similar items together.
Documents can often lead to the biggest mess, so make proper use of your file cabinet or bookshelf. You can use labels to keep documents organized, as this will make retrieval easy. If possible, you can go paperless. Scan and digitize most documents, as you most likely don’t need physical copies at home.
Minimize Distractions
Arguably, the biggest challenge for working from home is the huge number of distractions. This can be social media, family members, or even pets. As such, it’s important to draw some boundaries to maintain productivity. If possible, use a dedicated workspace for your office. But even if that’s not possible, set clear work hours and communicate them to your family members.Â
Some additional tips here are using noise-canceling headphones, playing some soft background music, and setting rules around social media use.
Make Use of TechnologyÂ
Since you don’t have your bosses and coworkers around to keep you in check, it’s super important to use tech to your advantage. First off, make sure you have all the apps and tools you need for your work, such as collaboration tools. From there, you can set up other tools that can help boost productivity, such as digital calendars and task management apps.
You can then ensure you do what you set out to do by using time tracking apps, setting up do not disturb on your mobile devices, and blocking various websites. By implementing these tips, you will be able to create a productive home office environment that supports your work and helps you achieve your goals.
