The last few years have seen more home offices being set up than ever before. Remote working is even becoming a way to attract the best talent for a certain company. Are you one of the lucky ones enjoying less commuting and having more family time because of it?
Still, you need a functional space to be really productive, right? If you’re new to this scenario, you might be working on creating the perfect home office. That could include looking for everything from ergonomic chairs to bar fridges for sale. A bar fridge? Keep reading to find out why certain elements are essential to working from home!
Creating an Ergonomic Office Space
Many home office spaces lack innovative designs to enhance productivity. This can sometimes make it difficult to get the same amount of work done that you would have at the office. We take a look at some key tips that will help you create a more beneficial.
1. Assess Everything You Need
It’s important to make a list of what’s needed to create a comfortable yet functional office space. If you’re working on a laptop or desk computer, consider getting an ergonomic chair. Doing this will ensure that you get maximum back and neck support, so discomfort doesn’t slow you down.
If you’ll be doing any printing or scanning, be sure to set up your printer within arm’s length of your work area. We also suggest investing in two paper baskets, for “to do” or “done” if you’re still working with any types of documents. Keeping organised will speed up your workflow and prevent clutter.
2. Set Up the Space
Opt for a private space where you’re least likely to be disturbed. Decorators often recommend placing your work desk in a commanding position. That means, your back shouldn’t face the door.
Ideally, you want to place your desk so that it’s diagonal to your room’s entrance. If possible, sit with your back to a solid wall. Feng Shui decorators believe this is the best position to create the best flow of energy and creativity.
3. Make Proper Lighting a Priority
If your office space isn’t near a window that allows natural light, it’s crucial to invest in a quality desk lamp. This is because improper lightning can lead to drowsiness or even eye fatigue. The most important considerations to take into account here include:
- Warm lights are calming while lights labelled ‘cool’ stimulate productivity.
- Opting for LED task lights allows you to change the settings to the light you need.
- Choose a light that you can comfortably use at night if you’re going to work late.
- In addition to adding the perfect light, be sure to create enough ventilation to prevent your space from feeling stuffy.
4. Make Snacks and Lunchtime Easy
When you’re setting up your workspace, a bar fridge might be the last item you’d consider. However, many people who work from home agree that it can be very distracting to get up just to get a drink of water or a bite to eat, all the way down the hall in the kitchen.
One risk here is that you’ll get more distracted compared to taking lunch at the office. For example, going to the kitchen for a glass of water highlights the fact that you haven’t filled the dishwasher or folded the laundry!
Avoid the distractions and give your office a bit of flair by investing in a Great Northern bar fridge. Aesthetics of a themed fridge will make your work area more welcoming.
Fill it with water, healthy snacks and energy drinks. This will make it easier to have snacks without disrupting the flow of your work.
5. Opt for Something Green
Many interior designers incorporate the colour green in their designs of home office workspaces. This is mostly because green is often associated with growth and even decisiveness. Additionally, green creates feelings of calm, which can be quite handy if your work has stressful moments. Furthermore, green is believed to spark bouts of creativity, beneficial to design or writing jobs.
There are several ways to incorporate the colour green into your office space such as:
- Create an accent wall by painting the wall closest to your desk green
- Add a live green plant to the corner of your desk
- Choose green accessories such as stationery, a computer mouse or even a mouse pad
- A green coffee cup or drinking glass is an easy way to incorporate a touch of green into your home
6. Avoid the Clutter
Clutter can be very distracting. It can also block your creativity because all you’ll end up seeing or thinking about is the chaos! Follow these easy steps to lessen the clutter in your office space:
- Remove objects you don’t need in your job function
- Create a tidy place for printers, scanners and other equipment by placing cables out of sight
- Use filing cabinets, desk baskets or stationery holders to make it simple to find what you need
- Tidy your office after every work session by removing or filing loose papers, coffee mugs and any other random items
Final Thought
Take some of the stress out of work by creating a better workspace. With features like comfortable but functional furniture, fridge and a dash of something green, you’re set for high productivity!
Angela Spearman is a journalist at EzineMark who enjoys writing about the latest trending technology and business news.
