The beauty of remote work is the ability to design and organize your home office as well as workday however you like. It can be a blessing and a curse. Did you know that your setup can greatly affect your mood and productivity? This means that messy offices and tables lead to messy minds and thoughts that minimize productivity.
Do you feel like you’re less effective in your home office? Don’t worry, you won’t have to return to the actual office just because of that. With these simple, yet powerful tips you can organize your home office and create a space of productivity and creativity!
Organize your home office tip #1: Equip it with adequate furniture
Do you have adequate furniture in your home office? You may think that a chair, desk, and other home equipment have nothing to do with productivity if you’re overloaded with work. However, without proper seating and a desk that will support your back and posture, you’ll constantly be distracted by the back and neck ache.
You have to think about the comfort as well as usability of the furniture you’re equipping your office with. Pick the home office furniture that is both comfortable, pleasing to the eye, and adequate for your posture. On top of that, make sure you have enough shelves and cabinets where you can safely and neatly store files and papers.
Tip #2: Declutter your space
When it comes to working from home, space is almost always an issue. Most people have tons of paperwork, which leads to piles of files and paper on the desk. Such an environment can be quite distracting, especially when you need to find something quickly. So, organize and declutter your space daily!
Start by recycling paper you no longer need. You can get a recycling bin as well as a trash can for your office to make organization easier. Sort files by the number or alphabetically to improve the organization. Also, use a separate drawer for all the cables, chargers, and USB sticks you need, but not use them all the time. This will help you gain control over your space and your work.
Organize your home office tip #3: Prioritize lighting
Do you have a window in your home office? If not, that might be one of the main reasons why your productivity is decreasing at a rapid pace! Lighting is of utmost importance for your productivity. So, before you blame it on your inability to work from home, check the adequacy of lighting in your home office.
Ensure you get enough natural light by having a larger window in your office. If that is not possible, adjust your artificial light to mimic the natural. Don’t make it too bright as it might hurt your eyes, but at the same time don’t dim it as it will make you drowsy. Did you know that the lack of vitamin D we get from the sun can make us feel blue and lethargic? So, let the sunshine in!
Tip #4: Productively use gadgets
Some of the biggest distractors in every office are the electronic gadgets that occupy our attention. Since we need the Internet to complete our work, especially when working from home, you need to learn how to smartly use electronic devices in your office! For instance, a TV and gaming consoles have no place in your home office! That would be the wrong way to organize your home office.
When using gadgets, ensure they contribute to your productivity. We can agree that emails can sometimes be distracting, but they are necessary for our internal and external communication. However, if you want to improve your in-house interactions, check out internal communication examples that will boost your work engagement and productivity.
Organize your home office tip #5: Personalize your space
Even though it is recommended not to mix personal life and work, a certain level of individuality is allowed and encouraged. How do you feel in the sterile work environment? Impersonal, cold, distant, depressed? Therefore, adding personal touches to the space is essential for effectiveness and productivity. So, what kind of details you should incorporate?
If you have a green thumb, plants are ideal office companions that boost productivity and ennoble your space. Besides contributing to the cozy aesthetic, plants are also vital for your mental and physical health. Believe it or not, employed individuals who have plants in the office and greenery outside tend to be more productive, motivated, and mentally healthier!
Wrapping up
A productive workplace isn’t the same for everyone. While some may like vibrant colors, others may feel more comfortable and focused in a cozier and calmer environment. It’s a trial and error process that takes time before you get it just right! The main benefit of it is having the space all to yourself to experiment with.
