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Are you ready to make working from home a more pleasant experience? Working from home can be a great way to get more done, but it can also be challenging to stay productive and motivated.
To make sure you make the most of your work from home experience, here are our top 10 tips and design ideas for creating a comfortable and inspiring workspace. From optimising your home office set-up to adding personal touches and investing in good lighting, these tips and design ideas from a creative interior designer will help you create a workspace that is both productive and calming. Read on to learn more about how to make your work-from-home experience as enjoyable as possible.
Optimise Your Home Office Set-up
When it comes to working from home and remote working, having an ergonomic and comfortable home office set-up is essential. Invest in a good quality desk and chair that is adjustable to your height and make sure to have a comfortable workspace for your laptop or computer.
The infographic blow focuses on the topic of home and remote working:
A preview of the “Remote Working is Here to Stay Infographic from Corcoran’s of Ireland
Additionally, consider adding a standing desk to your home office to vary the position of your body while working.
Research published by Taylor & Francis online, revealed the results of a study of 167 workers over a six month period. This concluded that those using a standard desk were around 45% more productive than their peers who were seated.
Why not consider investing in a comfortable keyboard and mouse, as well as a quality pair of headphones to help you stay focused?
Create an Inspiring Workspace
Set up your workspace to be inspiring and motivating. Add a few pieces of artwork or inspirational quotes around your desk, and make sure to incorporate elements that make your workspace feel like home. This will help you stay productive and motivated while working from home.
According to a Harvard Business Review survey, by a margin of 42% to 28%, employees would prefer to be able to personalise their own work environment rather than opt for unlimited vacation.
Try to bring in items that bring you happiness, such as photographs of family and friends, or a few of your favourite books.
Personalise your workspace by adding a family photograph
Choose a Dedicated Workspace
It’s important to have a dedicated workspace when working from home. Choose a room or corner of the house that is quiet and away from distractions. This will help you stay focused and productive while working. Workers who have a designated workspace at home reported feeling more relaxed and motivated throughout the day. If possible, try to keep the workspace separate from the rest of the house, as this will help you stay focused and avoid distractions.
Utilise Natural Light
Natural light can be an important factor in increasing productivity. If possible, position your workstation near a window to maximise natural light during the day. This will also help reduce eyestrain and headaches. A study conducted in the UK found that natural light can improve well-being and reduce stress levels. It could also be a good idea to consider investing in blackout blinds or curtains to help you control the amount of natural light in the workspace.
Utilise natural light in your office wherever you can
Invest in Good Lighting
While natural light is ideal, it’s not always possible to get it. Invest in good quality lighting that will help you focus and stay productive. Consider adding a desk lamp, floor lamp or even fairy lights around your workspace. Research published by Sage revealed in a survey that 17% of home workstations had poor lighting, and 5% were too dark.
Add Personal Touches
Make sure to add personal touches to your workspace that will make you feel comfortable. This could include a cosy rug, a comfy chair, or a few plants to add a touch of life to your space. A survey conducted by the University of Birmingham in the UK found that having plants in the workspace can improve air quality, reduce stress, and improve concentration levels. Consider adding some scented candles or diffusers to create a calming atmosphere.
Add personal touches to your home office
Don’t Forget Storage
Storage is an important part of any workspace. Invest in a few storage solutions, such as shelves, drawers, or filing cabinets to help you organise and store your items. According to a survey by Brother at Your Side:
- 41% of respondents said a tidy workspace made them more productive
- Whereas 21% said a cluttered desk seemed to increase perceived workload
Additionally, consider investing in a few decorative boxes or containers to help keep your workspace looking neat and tidy.
Get Creative with Wall Space
Take advantage of wall space and use it to hang up artwork, motivational quotes, or a whiteboard to help you stay organised and productive. Visuals in the workspace are well known to improve motivation and focus. Consider adding a bulletin board to display photos, reminders, or to-do lists.
Choose Comfort Over Style
Comfort should always come first when setting up a workspace. Always choose comfortable office furniture including chairs and desks that you can use to stay productive.
Research published on News Times concluded that an ergonomic chair is between 15% to 20% more productive and reduces distractions and also offers mental and physical health benefits.
Additionally, make sure to choose an office chair with good lumbar support to help reduce back and neck pain.
Take Breaks
Working from home can sometimes be more challenging than working in an office. Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to help you stay focused and productive. A report by Air Tasker based on remote employees’ feedback ranked “taking breaks” as the number one tip for increasing productivity.
Additionally, consider taking a few minutes each day to stand up, stretch, and take a short walk around the house to help clear your mind and refocus.
Conclusion
Working from home can be a great way to get more done, but it can also be challenging to stay productive and motivated. To make sure you make the most of your work-from-home experience, it’s important to create an ergonomic and comfortable workspace that is both inspiring and motivating. From optimising your home office set-up to adding personal touches and investing in good lighting, these tips and design ideas from a creative interior designer will help you create a workspace that is both productive and calming.
With these simple yet effective tips, you’ll be able to make working from home an enjoyable and productive experience. So, take the time to create a workspace that works for you, and enjoy the freedom of working from home!
Image Credits: Mikhail Nilov, White77, Andrea Piacquadio, and StockSnap
Looking for more information?
Related Topics:
– Home Office Ergonomics
– Home Office Design Ideas
– Productivity Tips for Working from Home
– Benefits of Working from Home
– Lighting for Home Offices
– Standing Desks
Reference Sites:
– The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors
– The University of Leeds
– The British Psychological Society
– The University of Manchester
– The Lighting Industry Association
– The University of Birmingham
– The Institute of Building and Environmental Engineers
– The University of Warwick
– The British Occupational Health Research Foundation
– The University of Oxford
Authorities on the Subject:
– IKEA
– Wayfair
– Houzz