Working from home is very fashionable right now, and we know a lot of us created makeshift home office spaces, which, like us, you’ve probably started at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and never updated it. We’ve taken over dining room tables, worked from our beds and sofas. And it worked. But with many offices shutting down and companies letting employees work from home permanently, we need to think of a better solution.
So, how do you transform the spot you’re used to working in into an amazing, long-term office space? Check out our top tips below!
Find the right spot for your set up
Find the perfect spot where you’ll be the most productive. Of course, If you have lots of space then that will not be an issue, but if you are like most people, finding your little corner for your ‘work from home’ space might be harder than you thought. Decluttering your house can be one way to find space you didn’t realise you had!
Ideally, you’ll want to find a spot that’s away from potential distractions like tv and try to get as close to a window or natural light as possible. Natural light is thought to improve productivity, boost mood and make you feel more alive overall.
And as comfortable and cosy as it sounds, avoid working from your bed or sofa. You need to separate work and home life, and if you don’t, you may have trouble falling asleep at night.
Choose furniture that works for you
Because you will spend a long time in the workspace, comfort is key when investing in office furniture for working from home. There are two pieces of equipment that will make it or break it for you. A desk and a chair.
Get a desk that will be roomy enough so you can stretch your legs and big enough to keep everything you need in one place. But as a desk is just a piece of wood, it’s the chair that will make all the difference to your working day. Invest in a comfortable, supportive desk chair that won’t leave you feeling achy after a day of work. Make sure to get one with adjustable height and good back support to keep back pain at bay. Armrests and headrests are also nice-to-haves for additional comfort.
Set your desk near a power supply
Make sure you set up your workspace near a power outlet or have a dedicated power strip to connect all your equipment to. You will be connecting your laptop, monitor, charging your phone throughout the day and you don’t want things to get messy and tangled up. Having a power strip will help you avoid it.
Brighten Up Your Workspace
Good lighting is essential to have for your home office so that your eyes don’t get tired or strained. Swap any old bulbs for new ones to make sure your space is well lit, like LED bulbs. Getting a good desk lamp is a must, but there are a few things to look out for when choosing a lamp. Don’t get a lamp that’s too bright as it will tire your eyes easily, but don’t use a light that’s too dim, as that will make you feel sleepy. If you use a computer for work, you should use white light because yellow light will sting your eyes when you face the computer screen for too long.
Make the space your own
Having a personalized workspace at home keeps you more engaged with your workstation. Add shelved if you have the space that can not only create more storage, but also create space for your favourite books, photos, plants and home decorations. Surround yourself with things that make you happy and you will notice increased productivity.
We have already covered the benefits of having houseplants at home, from boosting your mood and mental health and reducing stress, to making you more productive. You can find out more here. And apart from all the amazing health benefits, plants add colour and make a space look much nicer and more inviting. From small succulents and cacti to large Monstera, there are plenty of plants to choose from.
Other equipment you might need
There are a few pieces of equipment that you will need for your home office like a keyboard, mouse, extra monitor, headset, a docking station, printer and of course, stationery, but that all depends on the type of work you do.