Does your home office enhance productivity or make you more relaxed than you should be? How can you create a design that will help you be productive?
The home office was a necessity during the global pandemic, and many companies stuck with this work model for employees. People who work from home, especially freelancers, have more control over their schedule and don’t spend hours each week in commuter traffic. That said, it’s important to have a home office design that enhances productivity. Here are some ideas to help you boost your production while working at home.
Do you have a dedicated space?
Privacy is a big part of being productive when you need to work from home. You probably won’t get much work done from your seat on the couch or in a busy kitchen. You need a dedicated place where you can sit quietly and handle your workload. This isn’t always possible in every home, but maybe you can carve out a corner of your bedroom to be the workspace that you need to be productive while working at home.
What are your special needs?
Do you need a large desk or wall of monitors to get your job done? What space is available in your home? When you’re working to design a home office that enhances productivity, you need to understand your physical needs. Some people don’t need anything more than a chair and a table to put a computer on, while others need filing cabinets, monitors, and tech items to handle their jobs. Consider your space and your budget when planning your office, and try not to go overboard.
Create a mood board
A mood board allows you to compile design ideas, which can easily come from online sources. Some colors invoke productivity, while others make you less likely to focus on the work you nee to get done. Using online tools, such as Pinterest and Canva, you can assemble a mood board and eventually understand what your new office will look like. Collect the necessary materials and plan your layout to give your office the color and décor elements that are designed to help you stay focused on work.
Design your space
Before you start putting your home office together, you should design it and see if it looks like it will enhance your productivity. If you have files you need every day on the other side of the room, you’ll waste time walking to them and should move them closer to your workstation. On the other hand, if you have a plant taking up a large space next to your desk, that could be moved elsewhere to make space for tools and resources that you need readily available to you.
Functional furniture is key
If you spend a lot of time seated in your office, you’ll need a good desk chair that can withstand your sitting in it all day long. Also, make sure you have a desk that’s big enough for everything you need to have at hand, ensuring you can get your work done. Ideally, your desk should be at least 60 inches wide and 28 to 30 inches high. You might want a desk that supports sitting and standing, especially if you work long hours every day.
Use smart storage solutions
Do you need shelves and storage items in your office? If so, you’ll want to find some that fit your space and add to the workflow rather than detracting from it. You can integrate a built-in unit, if you have space, or enjoy a small rolling cart that has your supplies readily available to you. Your home office needs to enhance productivity and your storage units can be a big part of that by keeping stuff you need throughout the day at arms-reach.
Manage your cords
If you need several tech items plugged in so that you can do your job, that’s fine, but you need to find a way to manage your cords. You won’t be very productive if you trip over the cords and injure yourself. Additionally, power and connectivity cords can be an eyesore, which makes them unappealing in any office. Keep the location of your outlets and devices nearby, ensuring it can be easier to hide the cords or unplug your laptop as needed. Find ways to creatively hide your cords or tame the loose cords that might become tripping hazards.
Design your home office to enhance productivity and let your workspace be a place where you love to get things done.
