Your remote workspace should be comfortable, maneuverable, and as clutter-free as possible. What’s the point of working from home if your space is as dull and stuffy as an office cubicle?
If you’re ready to express your personality and take advantage of some focus-fixing decor, check out the top recommendations for setting up your home workspace with these tips.
- Start with Lighting
Set the scene for productivity, inspiration, and energy (not to mention nice video shots).
- Opt for lights overhead or on the wall to free up valuable floor and desk space.
- If you prefer task lighting, many fixtures can be altered with a DIY configuration to fit your work surface and give you the angle and brightness you need.
- Have more than one light source! Whether you’re spending hours in Zoom meetings or keeping to yourself, you’ll want light from multiple angles to properly illuminate yourself and your space.
- Consider light intensity and color to set the right tone in your home office. Make sure it’s bright or dim enough for your eye comfort. Choose warmer colors for creativity and coziness or cooler colors for focus and alertness.
- Mix it up! Pull back the curtains to let in some natural light, and use lamp shades, LEDs, and flexible hinge light fixtures to manage the brightness and give your eyes a combination of natural, artificial, direct, and indirect light.
Carefully consider the light bulb temperature and brightness before making your final choices, as research shows that the ideal brightness for office tasks is between 300 to 500 lux with cool lighting that helps promote alertness and boost your mood.
- Add the Essentials
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No office is complete without all the tech and accessories you need to support your job. Whether it’s a standing desk to improve blood flow and circulation while you work or a docking station for a dual monitor, gather all the tools you need to make your job easier.
- A large monitor with extra ports is the perfect base for all your computer-related tasks. Monitors provide larger screen areas than laptops and encourage you to sit at your desk rather than lounge on your couch.
- Using a standing or treadmill desk instead of a traditional seated one can actually help you stay focused and improve your health. You won’t get the afternoon sleepies when you’re on the move while staying on the job.
- Add a soundproofing strip around doors to block out noise and distractions. Whether you’re dealing with noisy neighbors or loud family members, you won’t hear a thing — without having to resort to noise-canceling headphones.
- With all the technology in use these days, extra docks are an essential part of the office. Charging and dual-port docks help you declutter your space and organize your cords while keeping all your essentials close at hand.
Since every job is a little bit different, you may need some accessories that others don’t. What’s on your list to buy for the home office?
- Make it Yours!
Unlike most in-person work environments, WFH gives you the creative freedom to personalize your space and keep the theme authentically you.
- Organize! Keep your favorite planners and calendars close, and make sure your writing utensils and office supplies are neatly tucked away in their cubbies, cups, and corners.
- Stay hydrated. No more paper cups at the water cooler. Fill your receptacle of choice and keep it handy. You can drink water out of a mason jar, a milk jug, or even a wine glass — whatever suits you best.
- Layer with style. From unique lamp shades to textured rugs and colorful sticky notes, the possibilities for customization are endless.
There are many ways you can personalize your office space to make it a pleasant and engaging place to work, including wall art, plants, and wallpaper. Find the perfect balance between creating a comfortable place to work and encouraging productivity when you add some of your favorite objects and accessories to your office space.
- Setting Work Expectations at Home
The final part of setting up your workspace at home is setting boundaries with other people who live in your space. Family members who burst in asking questions or make loud noises when you’re trying to work can completely disrupt your flow. If you live with others, it’s important to clarify what you need and set some basic rules for everyone to follow during work hours.
You should also be setting boundaries and expectations for yourself to prevent you from becoming the distraction. Set yourself break times and meal times to adhere to each day and create a more regimented schedule that keeps you on track.
Start Your Setup!
Now that you feel a little more comfortable exploring your work-from-home options, it’s time to start experimenting with the best setup for you. Assess the best room for your office and start planning the best ways to transform it today!