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With the advent of the pandemic, more and more people are working from home. However, a home office is not just a room with a desk. In fact, researchers are discovering that the layout of a home office is critical to productivity. That said, most people simply load a computer onto a desk or make a temporary work space out of the kitchen table and a laptop. If you want to make the most of your remote work environment, you need to consider such things as aesthetics, ergonomics, and distance from home.
- Light
Whenever you are working from home, you will benefit most by positioning your desk toward natural light. Doing so will enable you to see out a window, which can help maintain morale. However, if you have the opportunity to position your desk with a window behind you as well as one in front of you, you can benefit from the natural light that shines over your shoulder.
- Minimal
Your home office should mimic the aesthetics of a typical office by keeping most of the décor related to a work space. You should not have children’s toys strewn about the room, and there should not be shoes littering the floor. Instead, you should have your desk, your computer, and a file cabinet if you need one. The pictures on the wall should be relaxing, and a plant can help with stress. Pictures of your family can help finish the arrangement in a way that will help you feel as if you are in an office away from your office.
In terms of plant selection, lavender is known to reduce stress. If you do not like plants or if they tend to die on you, you can resort to a scented candle.
- Music
You should have speakers that provide the type of sound quality that you like. Doing so will allow you to stream music to your home office and keep you motivated throughout the day.
- Cell phones
Your phone should be out of the room. Keeping it in the room will create a situation prone to interruptions.
- Your chair
Your chair is key to productivity, and it should offer lumbar support and the proper arm position if you do a lot of typing or design work. For times when you need to relax a little bit and take a break, a swivel chair will allow you to spin and enjoy the view out the window.
- Desk
The desk you choose for your home office should offer you enough surface space to keep you from feeling cramped. Additionally, if you can find one with wire ports, you can charge your phone or thread your mouse wire through it to remain organized. Of course, choosing a desk should not be a matter of chance. The best way to find a desk is to select a reputable retailer, such as Melbourne Office Furniture Store. Faced with all the desks that a retailer will have, you can easily find one that suits your particular space and work needs. Additionally, you can find one that sits at the right height to prevent cramping or tightness in the wrists, which can lead to carpal tunnel.
- Pictures
The photos on the wall should be soothing. Calming blues and browns are always popular if you prefer abstract art. However, if you like something more realistic, landscapes are always soothing.
- Additional furniture
If your home office has the space, a couch can provide you enough room for a nap in the afternoon. It can also allow you to relax and drink coffee in the morning as you get ready to work. A dog pillow will help keep your pet comfortable during the day if you have pets, and a miniature refrigerator will hold enough water for you throughout the day. Again, because space is always something rare in many home offices, if you can create a coffee stand on an end table, you can enjoy just about everything you need in your home office.
The key to packing your home office with all the necessary office equipment and furniture is to arrange it in such a way that once you are done working for the day, you can actually leave work behind you, so to speak, and return to your main living area. In the evening, as you lock the door to your home office, you will feel as if you are actually leaving work. If you do not set up organizational boundaries between you and your work space, you can end up burning out and hating your remote work area.
Author’s Bio: Lisa Eclesworth is a notable and influential lifestyle writer. She is a mom of two and a successful homemaker. She loves to cook and create beautiful projects with her family. She writes informative and fun articles that her readers love and enjoy. You can directly connect with her on email – lisa@lisaeclesworth.com or visit her website www.lisaeclesworth.com