When it comes to any homeowner, the entire goal is to make their home look nicer, but what about more productive? Specifically, the home office (if you have one) needs to be one of the most productive spots in the whole house.
If you work from home, then you need to be as productive as possible; otherwise, not only will work take longer, but you might be at more risk than just that. So, how do you actually know if your home office is working with you rather than against you? Well, here’s everything you need to know!
Is Your Furniture Ergonomic?
There’s a plethora of office furniture out there on the market, and a lot of them are very visually appealing, from hairpin legs desks to mid-century modern-themed office chairs. But when it comes to the home office, it’s not only about looks. Sure, these are important, but ergonomics is where it’s at because comfort is key.
The way you set up your workspace, including your desk, chair, and computer, can have a profound impact on your physical comfort and long-term health. So you’ll need to absolutely ensure your desk and chair are at the right height to prevent back and neck strain. So, it’s best to look into furniture that helps out with lumbar support throughout the day.
Is It Cluttered Free?
They say that if your office or desk is messy, you’re a genius, but is there actually any truth to this? Well, it’s hard to say, but for the most part, a messy and cluttered workspace usually creates scattered thoughts, which is basically the exact opposite of being productive. It’s hard to focus if there’s so much going on visually within the space.
So, what’s going to be best for you is to keep your desk clear of items that aren’t immediately needed for your work. Use storage solutions like shelves, drawers, and filing cabinets to keep documents and supplies well-organized. A tidy workspace promotes mental clarity and focus.
Are There Noise and Distractions?
One reason why so many people love working from home isn’t only due to the fact they don’t need to think of commutes, but it’s also the lack of distractions too. Face it, offices are so noisy and filled with so many distractions like chatter in the background, people waking around you, and so on.
For a lot of people, it’s hard to focus on all of this. If your home is noisy, consider noise-canceling headphones or soundproofing solutions.
If you’re able to, try to set boundaries with family members or roommates to minimize interruptions during your work hours. It might even help you out if you went ahead and removed distractions like smartphones or non-work-related websites from your workspace to maintain focus.
How’s the Lighting in the Office?
Do you remember when offices used to be all closed in, boxy, and nothing but fluorescent lighting? Nowadays, they’re open, airy, bright, and filled with natural light thanks to the big windows.
It’s not just about aesthetics, but there’s also the whole aspect that this was done to make the space brighter for more productivity. So, how much natural light does your home office have? If you can, it’s definitely best to have your desk right next to the window so you can soak up as much sun as you can.
Home Office article and permission to publish here provided by FatJoe Publishing. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on October 9, 2023.
Cover photo by Collov Home Design on Unsplash