Many businesses are transitioning to a hybrid model, allowing flexibility in where employees accomplish their daily tasks.
Working from home can be excellent for your productivity, but you have to establish a distraction-free environment in the form of a home office. Whether you're new to remote work or you're building a home office from scratch, this floor-to-ceiling guide will make your office goals a reality.
Declutter
The first step in your home office project is to look at everything in the office space and decide which belongings have outstayed their welcome. For instance, if you're drowning in junk mail or other paper correspondence, you can probably get rid of your snail mail solutions and set up a digital mailbox instead. Transitioning to a digital mailbox serves to free up space in your home office and cut out unnecessary trips to the post office during your workday.
Consider where else you can declutter by replacing outdated furniture, equipment, and electronics. This way, you can avoid the hassle of searching through outdated electronics for the one charging cable you need or fighting for space on your desktop with a clunky, old mail sorting tray. Ensuring a clean, organized workspace is the first step in building a home office primed for success.
Worksurface
Select your work surface carefully. You're going to need enough space for your computer monitor, keyboard, and any other equipment you use. If you have more than one monitor and a laptop that sits on the top of the desk, maybe you want to consider a larger table that offers more surface area.
Consider freeing up some space on the desk or table of your choice by mounting your computer monitors on the wall or atop a riser for better ergonomics and posture.
Creature comforts
If you're spending full workdays in your home office, you have to think about your health and comfort. Don't just order the first desk and chair combination you see on the internet. Instead, think carefully about the chair in particular. Ensure it offers the proper support for your back and forearms as well as the ability to dial-in the correct height settings for you.
That might mean going to a store and trying out a few brands. The process might seem like a headache, but it can save you from a backache down the road. If you're used to utilizing a standing or adjustable desk in the office, you may also want to invest in one for your home office.
Let there be light
If your home office doesn't have the proper lighting, you could end up squinting or straining your eyes all day. For instance, if you're converting a spare bedroom to an office, you'll need to rethink the setup of your lights. Instead of an adjustable bedside lamp for late-night reading, you'll need a larger overhead light for doing paperwork at your desk during business hours.
You'll also probably want a smaller desk light for when the day gets longer, and you want to finish up your evening's work in a cozier environment. Don't forget that you may also need to provide supplemental light for your video conferencing.
Using an ample overhead light or a direct light near your web camera can make you look washed-out or spotlit. Instead, consider a diffuse LED light near your desk.
Get colorful
By adding a splash of color, you can transform your otherwise clinical and drab home office. Instead of a monochrome design, consider how a couple of green plants, a colorful painting, or other decorations can make a room more inviting. A few personal touches can go a long way toward making a day spent at home more appealing.
You can even use your home office computer monitor to liven things up a bit. Consider adding a video screen saver or detailed photos from the Hubble Space Telescope as a monitor's wallpaper and an interesting accent point.
Before you go
The more you can tweak your home office to suit your work, style, and individual needs, the better. The more time and effort you spend planning, organizing, and decorating your home office, the more efficient your space will be. Greater efficiency means more time spent doing what matters.
