Working from home is a dream of many until they face the adjustments of creating a work environment. It is easy to separate work from home when you leave the house to go to your office. Keeping productivity in a home office requires a little more finesse, whether you have little to no space.
Necessities for a Home Office
It is a given that any office will need a desk, computer, and a chair. However, when you walk into an office, that is rarely all you see. Let’s break down each aspect of an ideal home office component.
Desk
Your desk is one of the most important decisions that you’ll make in setting up an office environment. While it may sound like a better idea to use furniture you already have in your house, such as the kitchen table, having a separate area to work on is vital for productivity. Keeping your budget in mind, you’ll want to decide the size and style of desk you want. If you are cramped in space, I highly recommend standing desk converters. They offer you the ability to stand or sit, and they are portable.
Chair
When you are sitting at your desk eight hours a day, you want to make sure that you’re comfortable. Office chairs should offer you lumbar support, be adjustable, and fit your body. While sitting, you want your feet to touch the floor and your knees to be at a 90-degree angle. However, purchasing a chair with wheels will allow you to move around with ease.
Office Equipment
Your office equipment is more than just a laptop or PC. If you are restricted on funding, start with a laptop and an external mouse and keyboard. However, you will want to eventually have a monitor that is at eye level, and enough room for desk organizers. Finally, an external webcam will keep business meetings at a professional level.
Storage
The final step in creating a home office is making sure you have storage space. I, personally, prefer a shelving unit next to my desk for my spare office supplies, paper, and books. If you are handling files, consider getting a small filing cabinet to be nearby.
Setting Up the Home Office
Once you have all the equipment for your home office, it is time to set it up. The first step is identifying where you will have a space that is quiet and away from distractions. If you are in an apartment, you’ll want a spot that is well-lit, and consider divider walls. However, if you own a home, use a small room where you have room to move around. This can be as simple as a walk-in closet.
Protect Your Investment
When you are setting up your desk and electronics, use surge protectors. Surge protectors will give you peace of mind against any spikes in the voltage or fires. Extended warranties and insurance on your electronics also protect your investment.
Maximize Space
You may not have a full office building, but you can create a home office with Feng Shui. The key to enhancing productivity is to be in a space that brings you Zen and opens your creativity. Use floating shelves to increase the vertical space you have available. Wall and desk organizers will also optimize the space available.
Decorate and Light
The final touch to a productive environment is the mood the room sets. Opt for lights and desk lamps that offer natural lighting. If you do not have the ability to let sunlight in, you will want a lamp that mimics the sun to prevent depression.
Final Tips & Tricks with Home Offices
When it comes to optimizing your productivity with a home office, your mentality is everything. Leaving your home and clocking in at a company’s location automatically sets a schedule. They often have cleaning companies that keep the office space orderly. To separate home and work life while still in the same building, create a schedule and stick to it. In that schedule, set aside a few extra minutes at the end of a work day to clean up for a fresh start the next day.
Working from a home office saves time and money, but does require discipline. You set yourself up with success with the furniture and equipment necessary. However, it is up to you to keep the mentality of being at work and not home when you step foot into your work zone. What are things you have found to be an asset to working from home?
Love all these tips and tricks!! Found them all to be extremely informative!
It is very difficult to create Zen in your workspace when you have family in the same area. I wish you all the luck. I had the benefit of a basement while my children lived at home. My child’s office space was our walk-in closet. After moving, I am working to find that space again since neither of these work for me right now.