It is now becoming more and more common for people to obtain working from home roles. With this comes the increasing need for us to improve our home working spaces. When I first started working from home I did not anticipate it would be a long term change and therefore did not put much effort into my space. I literally put my laptop on the living coffee table and sat on the floor against the sofa. Less than ideal but it worked. Now I have a better set up which allows me to focus better and stay organised. So here are some of the ways I set up my workspace making it practical and pleasant.
1. Choose a designated spot
Pick a space in your home that is comfy, has space for a desk and a chair. It might sound obvious as well but ensure that where you set up your desk has good connectivity to the internet in the home so you don’t have issues with the WiFi cutting in and out. Also ideally it should be quite. My spot is not quite but that is because the little ones follow me wherever I go! However I can close the door if needed so that helps a lot.
2. Get a good desk and chair
The chair should be the focal point! You can use any table or desk to work from in my opinion as a flat space is a flat space. But your chair will either support your back or not. When you have an office job trying to maintain proper posture and supporting your back will go a long way. You could consider a standing desk do that you can alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.
3. Good lighting
Good lighting will prevent your eyes from straining and getting tired quickly. Try to work near a window to ensure good lighting during the day and also keep a good lamp on your desk for the winter days when it gets dark early. If you are not working near a window that it is especially important for have a good lamp that you can work with throughout the day. Ideally light that can be adjusted in brightness.
4. Keep your space tidy
I always prefer a minimalist set up as clutter is such a big distraction for me. It probably is for you too. Try and keep few items on your desk and try and organise any other papers, notebooks and other office items in a drawer or box nearby so you can access anything you need easily. Regularly tidy up your desk space so any clutter does not build up. I also think a tidy mind is very helpful here too so what I always try to do is have a brain dump notebook handy so I don’t get distracted by my thoughts while I work. For example sometimes I start to think about all the things I have to get done that day or what items I need to add to the grocery list. If I am able to jot down these thoughts quickly than they do not become a major distraction for me.
5. Well stocked
Try to keep your space well stocked with everything you need like pens, highlighters, staplers, notebooks, sticky notes etc. This saves you realising you need something and then going on a hunt around your home trying to find what you need.
Conclusion
Establishing a functional and comfortable home office is crucial for both productivity and well-being. By selecting an ideal location, investing in ergonomic furniture, optimizing lighting, maintaining a tidy space, and keeping essential supplies on hand, you can significantly improve your work-from-home experience. A thoughtfully designed workspace enhances efficiency and makes your workday more enjoyable and manageable. Focus on creating the right setup, and you’ll see a remarkable increase in your productivity and comfort.