Working from home, either for someone else or yourself can be less stressful and provide you with much more flexibility with your schedule. Having a well-organized office space is crucial, though, to being able to focus and get things done.
Turning a good home office into a great one boils down to a few simple steps, advises veteran freelance writer and author Jeff Wuorio. He recommends the following 7 steps.
1. Keep Noise Down. Most work-at-home types identify noise as their number one enemy. If building from scratch, incorporate sound deadening features into doors and walls. Plywood and Homasote panels wrapped in fabric are less expensive options for already existing structures and those on a tighter budget.
2. Add privacy and more privacy. Aside from noise, lack of privacy can result in lost productivity. Besides a solid, lockable door, a surround wall can provide better privacy, especially in shared quarters such as a family room.
3. Light it up. Good lighting is a must, but many options available through lighting stores are quite expensive. Install a canopy and aim light at its underbelly for an inexpensive option that will also provide more privacy, suggests architect Neal Zimmerman, author of Taunton’s Home Workspace Idea Book.
4. See gray, act gray. Many traditional office workers complain of dull colors and how it affects their drive. Home offices are no different. Be sure and paint walls with colors that complement your personality and boost your mood and productivity.
5. Put your wastebasket on steroids. Most offices function best when things are kept tidy. Consider investing in a larger wastebasket or have two, one for recyclables and the other for non-recyclables.
6. Plant yourself. Plants not only are very attractive and clean the air; they can provide a more personal, private environment. A shelf of ferns or spider plants can be aesthetically pleasing and provide an additional layer of privacy.
7. Be careful not to “live” in your home office. The last and maybe most important tip to making your home-office great is more of a mindset rather than an actual task. Only do tasks related to your job or business in your office. Getting out of your office to do other non-business tasks helps you make your time in your office more focused, fresher, and pleasant.
Turning your home-office into a professional and effective space can be done without spending thousands of dollars. These simple steps can help you make the most of your space without breaking the bank.
