Working from home is more popular than ever before, and as a result, the desire for home offices has risen dramatically. While they were once a luxury reserved for people with jobs that required additional attention in the evenings or at weekends, the home office is now almost as much a household staple as the bedroom or the kitchen. If you are considering setting up a home office for yourself, here are five tips to make sure it’s the most effective and comfortable space possible.
1. Keep It Quiet
Most people can’t concentrate properly with too much background noise. Even if you think you are immune to it, a quiet space to work will make it much easier for you to focus. Choose a part of your home that no one else uses on a regular basis and consider installing sound-absorbing panels to the walls. Noise-canceling headphones are ideal if you can’t find a space to work that is separate enough from the rest of the home.
2. Make It Comfortable
Being physically uncomfortable is unpleasant at the best of times, but trying to get your work done while experiencing aches and pains makes the whole situation harder to bear. Invest in ergonomic furniture to keep your posture healthy if you sit at a desk for long periods of time.
3. Use the Right Devices
Trying to work using insufficient technology will make your job much more difficult than it has to be. In some cases, your employer may provide you with the devices you need to work efficiently, perhaps by letting you use a company laptop or additional monitor at home. Unfamiliar devices can be off-putting at first, but you’ll be surprised how quickly you get used to them. If you have a problem with your Mac not detecting second monitor, for example, there are ways to solve this. Don’t be afraid to take the extra step required to make your desk setup as practical for your purposes as possible. You may need to try a few different configurations before settling on an arrangement that is both comfortable and efficient.
4. Add Personality
Unlike offices at work, your home office can have as much personality as you like. Framed photos of loved ones, your own decor, and any comforting accessories like blankets and cushions all add up to make a home office more welcoming.
5. Stay Separate from Personal Places
Some people who work from home find it difficult to resist the temptation to simply bring their laptop to bed or sit on the sofa while working. While it may feel like one of the perks of remote working, this blurs the boundaries between your professional and personal life, which threatens to compromise both.
Of course, not everyone has the luxury to meet all the above points as some of them require more space in your home but implement as many as you can for the best possible workspace.
