Last Updated on November 16, 2021 by Guest
These days, you are likely to meet someone who works from home. If you are one of those lucky people who have ditched the two-hour commute and work remotely, you need to have a functional setup for your ideal home office.
When it comes to home office ideas, the possibilities are endless. All you need is to let your personality shine through, as it is your space after all.
However, you should also ensure that it is practical and functional.
Why Do You Need an Effective WFH Setup?
Before, home offices were a luxury people wanted to have in their homes but did not necessarily need them. These days, though, it is becoming more and more of a necessity.
If you are still unconvinced, here are five reasons you need an effective work-from-home setup:
- Remote work is now the new normal
- You need a dedicated place to work from home
- It has to be quiet and free from distraction
- Remote work can promote work-life balance
- It allows you to future-proof your career
So, how do you come up with the perfect home office setup?
Whether you need to make important phone calls or do a creative project, these home office tips will help you create an ideal workplace at home:
Designate a workspace
Ideally, you need to have a small room that can hold a desk and computer and whose doors can be shut to make it easy to separate your work from your home life.
Although not many people have extra spaces in their homes, you can still convert your guest bedroom into a place that serves a dual purpose.
You can turn it into a home office most of the time and a guest room when some people visit. You can also make use of an enclosed porch, a huge laundry room, or even a garden shed.
If you don’t have a dedicated space, then look for a niche space that you can use out of the rest of the household’s way as much as you can.
Make sure that the location you choose is quiet, free from distractions, as well as distinct enough for the rest of your routine. That way, you’ll truly feel that you were off the clock when you stopped working for the day.
Also, keep a dedicated space for personal devices so that you can avoid checking them if you’re working. Place them in a hard-to-reach area when you’re working so that you wouldn’t be tempted to check for notifications.
Eliminate clutter
According to Maid Sailors Cleaning Services Austin, TX, “Clutter can also cause distractions that make you lose focus. By regularly cleaning your workspace, you can keep your productivity levels high. Make sure that you clean your desk thoroughly and the rest of your workspace at least weekly.”
Make sure to keep office supplies in a dedicated desk or drawer. Regularly review paper documents, and file the things that you no longer need to access quickly. You can also start decluttering your computer by sorting your emails. Another option is to have an easy-to-navigate electronic filing system.
If you want to have a fresh take on things, take the time to rearrange your room! Looking for a new place for things helps with the flow of energy in your workspace.
Get the right equipment
Your home office equipment will likely include the following:
- Desk or table
- Ergonomically designed chair designed to support your back
- A quick and uninterrupted internet connection
- Adequate lighting
- Noise-canceling earphones
- Calendar, pens, notebooks
- Cabinet, filing spaces
- Another décor that you prefer, such as plants, art, pictures, etc.
Your work desk should also be able to accommodate your laptop or computer, water bottle, or notepad for you to scribble your ideas.
Light it up
Lighting is a most commonly overlooked element when setting up a home office. While poor lighting won’t cause blindness, it can strain your eyes.
Over time, eye strain eventually causes headaches, making you less productive in your work. Thus, make sure that you set up your home office in a way that gets as much natural light as possible. Not only does it make it feel a lot better, but it can also enhance your productivity.
If anything else, using natural light in your office helps you save electricity and better the environment.
Customize with creativity
Another great way to bring inspiration to your home office is to get creative. You can come up with shelving units for your home office where you can place your artworks or stash of snacks.
Make sure that you spend a couple of minutes using your brain in an entirely different way. Having the time to channel your inner creativity adds a lot of fun and freedom to a typical workday at home.
Have some plants
Plants bring life to your work-from-home space. Here you can bring in a couple of houseplants that improve the aesthetics of the place and bring in a fresh vibe.
Plants also bring in more fresh air, help you manage stress, refocus your energy, and bring in a more therapeutic experience overall.
A study even showed that bringing plants to your workspace can boost your productivity to up to 15%. When selecting plants, make sure to pick ones that need less care while adding a more elegant feel to your place.
Inspire yourself
You can also set up a corner that will inspire you and motivate you to complete your work. It can be a piece of art that helps you channel your inner muse or a family photo to remind you that what you’re doing right now is for them.
Pick the right colors
Colors have a psychological effect on people. Choosing the right colors can make a difference in making you feel more productive and want to sleep every time you face your to-do’s for the day.
Colors have various physical and emotional responses from people, so you should choose your colors wisely.
Generally, for home offices, light, airy tones are ideal. However, you might as well opt for more natural tones like greens, blues, off-whites, and other earthy tones.
Keep a clock
This might come off as pretty obvious, but it’s necessary to have a clock that can be seen from your desk. When working from home, it’s easy to lose track of time.
You might be working within the comforts of your home, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about work-life balance. If you spend your time at home all day without taking frequent breaks or ending a workday on reasonable hours, this can lead to burnout, and it can also cause a strain on your personal relationships.
That said, you must make sure that you unplug after work and have other hobbies and time to spend with family and personal care.
Build your software stack
To work effectively in a remote setup, you still need the tools to communicate and work with team members.
The basics are using a great online video conferencing tool like Zoom and a great communication tool like Slack.
Over to You
Whether you have a designated workspace at home or occupy a small corner in the bedroom, make sure to follow these tips. That way, you can create an ideal home office space that can boost productivity and help you set up your remote job.