Working from home is the new trend for business owners and professionals who don’t want to work traditional 9-to-5 jobs in a cubicle. Writers, accountants, designers, web developers, personal assistants – telecommuting is becoming more common in many professions.
If you count yourself among this growing group of American workers, here are five tips for improving your personal workspace:
1. Find Enough Space
Most busy professionals spend a majority of their week in the office. In order to remain productive, it’s important to be comfortable – even in a room that is only used occasionally. Space is a major factor that affects the overall comfort of any room. If you use a computer desk, make sure you have enough space to move around and avoid settling in a small corner.
2. Find a Great Chair
A good chair is the most important feature of an office. Find the ideal chair with enough support. Back strain, in particular, is a major health problem for office workers. Consider buying an ergonomic chair, which is especially designed for sitting around all day.
3. Add Light
Use optimal light at different times throughout the day and night. During the day, open windows to allow in as much natural light as possible. This will brighten the mood of the office. At night, the darkness can reduce your productivity levels, so we recommend experimenting in your office by purchasing artificial lights that vary by colors, sizes and designs. Then see which one you like best.
The home office is not all about task lighting. Since the space is your own, you have more lighting design choices – including ambient light to light up the entire room and not just the desk. Accent lighting is good for highlighting certain features in the room, such as plants or bookcases.
4. Think Visually
To create a home office that is inviting and pleasing to your eyes, you should be less concerned about what others think about the room since it’s your own personal work space. You don’t work with anybody else, so focus on designs that make you unique as an individual. Acquire office accessories to add creativity to the room without affecting your concentration.
Ask friends and family what they think about a home office design idea before you do it. Some people are visually minded and can tell you what you’re missing in your design plan.
5. Set Limits on Comfort
When it comes to work, there is such thing as too much comfort. That’s one reason why so many people work in office buildings and not at home. You can easily grow too comfortable when surrounded by items of personal comfort and luxury.
Your work-from-home office should primarily be made for work efficiency. Everyone has one or two distractions that prevent them from staying focused. Place limits on the number of appliances or art pieces you have in the office.
Don’t wait to improve your office at home! Bring in technology to help you work faster and more efficiently. Find new ways to improve the look and function of your office.
