Did you know that a lot of people work more efficiently and productively from home? The covid-19 pandemic has shown us that we can trust our employees to complete tasks even if they are not in the office. The secret lies in the familiar and relaxing setting with minimized distractions. To achieve that you need to have a home office!
A home office doesn’t have to be a separate room. A workspace corner designated only for your job is more than enough. To operate a business and be efficient, you need to create the perfect balance between comfortable and professional. So, what are the secrets behind ideal home offices?
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Ensure there is enough light in your home office
When choosing your work-from-home spot, pick a place or a room with enough natural light. No matter the weather in your area, having a large window with natural light helps you be more awake and feel more energized than sitting in a dark room.
On top of that, sunlight is fantastic for your mental and physical health. It keeps vitamin D levels at a sufficient level, which also maintains your healthy sleeping schedule and improves your mood! Besides being more effective with natural light, you’re also saving money and energy. Cut the costs by turning off the artificial light and getting by on sunshine if possible!
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Carefully choose a furniture for your home office
In-home offices, comfort is important. However, you need to ensure your workspace isn’t too cozy as it will create counter effects on your productivity! Pick high-quality ergonomic furniture that will support your posture and back, as well as be comfortable enough for long periods of sitting.
Many individuals think that investing in office furniture is not necessary. But considering that you’ll spend there most of your day, having a comfortable chair and a decent desk is a must-have! Besides that, don’t neglect accessories and decoration. Such small pieces create a more pleasant workplace. Decor can bring spirit to your office and make you more motivated to work.
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Purchase office supplies
To create a real office and work atmosphere, you should purchase office supplies for your home workspace. Thingies such as printing paper, highlights, notebooks, pens, different coloured pencils, scissors, and such can really lift up your spirit and make your work more enjoyable. But this has its downsides as well.
Since working from home comes with several pros and cons, purchasing office supplies with your own money can be quite expensive. If your company isn’t refunding the costs, you’ll find yourself saving up and sparing those supplies which make the whole experience less fun. So, try to find a healthy balance between getting everything you want and purchasing only what you truly need!
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Master the technology in you need in your home office
Working from home can be tricky as you can’t just ring up an IT helpdesk department to take a look at the broken printer, buggy phone, or frozen screen. To remain productive and effective, you need to master the technology yourself, at least some basic things! On top of that, knowing what kind of gadgets you need should be your top priority.
A laptop, phone, and printer are usually on top of people’s lists. Depending on your profession, you might need to include some other gadgets, like a graphic board, camera, mic, etc. Also, don’t forget to install all the programs you need to complete your tasks effectively. Team communication and engagement are essential even if you’re miles apart, so find out more here how you can improve it while working from home.
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Focus on your needs
Creating a functional workspace is above all. The perfect space isn’t the same for everyone and besides the work you do, it also depends on your preferences. So, create a space that will fulfil your needs. You’ll do so by setting clear expectations from your workspace!
As your needs depend on the type of job you do, you should be flexible when it comes to office design. However, as each job requires focus and attention, make sure to remove the distractions and stay focused on the tasks. Keep your family members and pets out if they are bothersome and focus on your needs and your job. After all, that’s what offices are for.
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Store items smartly
Whether we work from the traditional office or the home, we’re prone to cluttering desks and spaces. After some time you won’t be able to find important documents under the pile of papers you’ve printed. So, when it comes to perfect, picture-perfect home offices, make sure to keep them neat by storing items smartly.
Have a shelf for all of your documents and files you need to keep in paper form. Those you don’t have to print out, safely store in your computer. Remove the chord clutter by minimizing its use. If they are absolutely necessary, keep them in stock, neat and tidy. In the perfect office, you’d know exactly what is where so keep it that way!
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Final thoughts
As you can see, the perfect home office varies from one person to another. Therefore, if you want to create the ideal space for you, focus on the things you need. Make functionality, health, and comfort your priority, effectiveness, motivation, and productivity will follow. Hopefully, these tips will help you create the home office of your dreams!