If you’re one of the many people for whom working from home has become the new normal, then ensuring that you have the right space to work in is essential. Having a space at home that allows you the space, privacy, and lack of distraction that you need to get your work done is vital. But having the right space isn’t enough; you need to make sure that you’re using it correctly. For that reason, we’re going to take a closer look at the essential additions that allow you to turn your home office into a productivity powerhouse.
Start Where You Sit
The foundation of any successful work session is your ability to remain comfortable and supported throughout it. As such, a good chair that prioritises ergonomics is the foundation of a good home office, as well. Sitting for long periods of time can strain your back, neck, and shoulders, which can not only cause new aches and pains to arise but can lead to bad musculoskeletal injuries if not fixed over time. As such, you should look at ergonomic office chairs that offer lumbar support and neck support, as well as allow you to adjust them to find the healthy seating position that suits you best.
Get Some Sounds On
The atmosphere of the workspace can play a big role in just how productive you’re able to get. While a lot of people like to put on headphones when it comes time to focus, a good set of quality speakers, especially smart speakers, can help you get more immersed in your work playlist so that it becomes part of the background. Of course, these speakers can be connected to all sorts of devices so they can even be used for virtual meetings or watching tutorials as well. You want to choose speakers that are compact and easy to set on most surfaces but also offer crisp sound quality.
A Second Monitor
There is a whole host of gadgets that could improve your remote working life, but one of the simplest and yet most impactful is adding a second monitor to your setup. A lot of people don’t realise just how helpful they can be until they try one for themselves. When you need to multitask, work with multiple documents, compare files, or even create a new file using information and data from another, a dual monitor setup makes it extremely easy. Reducing the constant toggling back and forth between windows saves more time and mental energy throughout the day than you might realise.
A Touch Of Green
Not everything in your workspace is about the pure mechanics of staying productive. It’s just as important to make sure that your workspace is a good mental fit, as well, which means keeping you motivated and positive and reducing stress as best as possible. Houseplants can help bring some life to your space, purify the air, and ease your stress. With a low-maintenance plant like a pothos or the almost unkillable snake plant, you don’t have to worry about them distracting you from your work too much, either. The presence of plants creates a calming atmosphere and serves as a visual reminder to take breaks and reconnect with nature.
A Desk That Works For You
Just like a good chair is vital to maintaining comfort (and health) in a home office, the right desk can help you do the same thing, as well. Aside from choosing a desk that meets all of your productive needs, you should look into adjustable desks that can move from sitting to standing positions. Switching between the two as your comfort demands can help your posture, improve blood flow, and help you maintain your energy better throughout the day.
The Right Light For The Moment
Good lighting is crucial in your office. Natural light helps to energize and motivate you, keeping your mood positive when you get started in the morning. However, a desk light is just as important, as it makes sure that the only light in your face isn’t the harsh blue light of a computer screen. This can help you avoid eyestrain. A smart lamp can offer customisable brightness and colour temperature, helping you set the ambience right for any time of the day as well.
Something To Keep You Moving
If you’re spending long hours of the day sitting at your desk, then it’s important to afford yourself the opportunity to get up and move once in a while. Work can take a lot of time out of your day, including time that could better be spent taking care of your body. Incorporating movement into your workday is vital but not always easy in a home office. Workout equipment, like resistance bands, hand grips, or a compact under-desk elliptical, allows you to stay active without leaving your workspace. Whether you keep them under the desk or nearby, ensuring they are within reach allows you to get the blood pumping with a planned break as part of your daily routine.
Your Very Own Assistant
You might not have the room or budget for a whole extra person in your home office, but thankfully assistants have gotten a lot more compact. Smart assistants can be highly valuable in streamlining your workflow. While many people use them for basic household tasks like managing to-do lists and grocery reminders, they can manage your calendar, answer your questions, and interface with other devices in the office for maximum productivity.
A Whiteboard
Certainly not the most technologically advanced tool on the list, but don’t underestimate the impact that a good whiteboard can have on your working day. Having a physical space where you can quickly take down notes, visualise your ideas, and brainstorm solutions can help you think much more creatively while you’re working. While some people use virtual note software, the fact that the whiteboard is always in view makes it serve better as a continual reminder of your goals and plans throughout the day. Find one that suits the space you work in and the size you can afford for it. You don’t want a whiteboard that’s too big that you have to constantly get up and walk towards. It should fit right next to your workstation.
The Occasional Distraction
While you’re trying to avoid getting distracted most of the time, sometimes it is exactly what you need. To that end, office toys, such as fidget spinners or desk puzzles, can be just what you need to keep your hands busy. Whether you’re trying to clear your mind after a stressful meeting or you’re brainstorming and need something to occupy you in that space, having a few office toys can really do you a lot of good.
A Sense of Scents
When it comes to adapting your mood to suit the moment, few senses are better at it than your sense of smell. An oil diffuser equipped with essential oils like peppermint or citrus can be just the thing to help you stay alert and focused, while, later in the evening, a drop of lavender or chamomile can help you start to calm down and settle into the end of the day. You want to choose a diffuser that’s adjustable so that you’re able to prevent any scent from getting overpowering.
With the recommendations above, you should see the direction that should drive your home office design. Even if you don’t implement these exact tips, think about what additions of your own you might like that can fulfil much the same benefits.