Create an efficient and comfortable home office space: Six major factors help you improve your work efficiency
An efficient home office environment is not determined by a single factor, but is the result of the harmonious unity of many factors. Powerful Wi-Fi can’t compensate for the frustration brought by the shaking chair, and soft natural light can’t isolate the hustle and bustle of children across the street. To create a space that promotes efficient work, every detail is crucial.
Although specific needs vary by career (software engineers may require a more powerful computer than copywriter), the following six elements are essential for creating an ideal home office environment.
Core points:
1. Create a separate workspace
While many people hate morning rush hour commutes, the shift in work from home to another separate location helps create what we call a “work-life balance.” Work and life are like both ends of a balance, but when working from home, work and life are crowded with each other.
To regain balance, you must create a separate work space, physically and psychologically, isolated from the space where you relax and sleep. In other words, the workplace cannot be non-working.
If you live in a multi-room residence, this should be relatively easy. Designate one of the rooms as your office. Get it done.
But if you live in a home or apartment without extra rooms, you need to think about it. If you cannot set up doors between your home and work, install partitions or curtains. You can even make a partition with plants. These partitions help tell your brain that it is working time now, not playing time.
Another way to let your brain distinguish between a home office and a home is to leave your home before you start working. Get up and go for a walk, run a quick leg, or take out the trash. Do something to tell your brain that you are transitioning from part of the day to another.
2. Avoid interference
Unless you are lucky enough to have a Faraday cage at home, you will definitely experience some kind of interference during the day. Some of these distractions may be auditory. Maybe the guy who lives upstairs stomps all day; maybe the park across the street attracts a lot of bad street musicians. Here, sound is the enemy, and the solutions are white noise machines, noise-cancelling headphones, and even high-power fans (and self-care).
Other interferences may be digital. Without anyone staring at you, it’s easy for you to wander around the internet instead of working. This is where anti-procrastination apps come in handy. Here are some good apps:
3. Natural light
If you can, set your workspace in a room with natural light, as natural light has been proven to increase productivity. One way it does this is by shrinking the pupil, thereby enhancing reading ability. Natural light can also help regulate mood, sleep, and immune systems by regulating the endocrine system. The world outside the window also makes you feel less trapped and closer to nature. This is good for both body and mind!
However, if natural light is not an option, consider using a full spectrum bulb, which can simulate the temperature of natural daylight (6,500 Kelvin). Full spectrum light is very beneficial and it is used to treat mood disorders, skin diseases and other diseases. So it doesn't just help you read.
4. Keep it clean
Clutter can lead to delay. When we have too many “stuff” we start to feel overwhelmed, which leads to the old “I just need to lie on the couch and turn off my brain” approach. To avoid procrastination due to sensory overload, clean, organize and clean your workspace. This includes:
Tip: Apply these same strategies (except wires) to your desktop.
5. Make your home office environment full of inspiration
It doesn't all things in the home office need to be practical. Putting an item on your desk that brings you happiness, or hanging a poster that brings you peace of mind helps you stay positive, and a positive mindset is essential for efficient work days. While we can't tell you exactly how to decorate your workspace for maximum inspiration, here are some general ideas:
In general, decorate your space with things that remind you of why you are doing it all.
6. Quality Furniture
Most home offices are built around two pieces of furniture: a table and a chair. You want your table to be sturdy and durable, big enough to hold everything you need, and the plus point is that it can stand up (not on a whim, it’s science!). As for your chair, you want it to provide proper lumbar support and usually won't make you feel any discomfort.
There are thousands of tables and chairs to choose from, and it’s worth spending money to ensure that the infrastructure of your home office is well served. To find out what options are available, here are some highly rated tables and chairs:
Summary:
Essential Elements for Working from Home FAQs
The most important factors when setting up a home office include location, lighting, furniture and technology. The location should be quiet and undisturbed. Natural light is ideal for reducing eye fatigue and improving mood. Ergonomic furniture such as comfortable chairs and tables of appropriate heights can prevent physical discomfort. Finally, make sure you have reliable technology, including a fast internet connection, a good computer and necessary software.
To keep your home office comfortable during long hours of work, invest in ergonomic furniture. Adjustable chairs and tables can help maintain good posture. In addition, you can also consider using a keyboard and mouse designed to reduce stress. Regular rest is also important to prevent fatigue and strain.
Staying productivity in a home office can be achieved by creating regular schedules, minimizing distractions, and creating dedicated workspaces. It is also beneficial to have regular breaks and keep the work space clean and organized.
Creating a home office in a small space can be achieved by utilizing vertical space for storage, choosing furniture that suits the space, and using light colors to make the space feel larger. In addition, multi-functional furniture can be considered, which can be used for both work and other activities.
Natural light is the best choice for home offices as it reduces eye strain and improves mood. If natural light is not available, consider using a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting and decorative lighting to create a well-lit workspace.
Noise in the home office can be reduced by using noise-cancelling headphones, adding soft accessories to absorb sound, and using a white noise machine. If possible, choose an office location away from the noisy area of the house.
The technology required for working from home depends on your job. However, generally, a reliable computer, a fast internet connection and necessary software are essential. Other useful technologies may include printers, scanners, and additional displays.
To make your home office look more professional in video calls, make sure your background is clean and tidy. Good lighting is also important so that you can be clearly visible. If your workspace is not ideal, consider using a background or virtual background.
Keeping your home office in order can be achieved through regular cleaning, using storage solutions, and specifying locations for each item. It is also helpful to clean up at the end of each day so you can start over the next day.
Making home offices more environmentally friendly can be achieved through the use of energy-saving lighting, recycling and selection of environmentally friendly office supplies. In addition, natural light and ventilation can be considered to reduce energy consumption.
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