No matter how passionate you are about what you do for a living, leaving the cosy surroundings of your home for the office can be tough. Even when you work from home, it can be challenging to sit down at your desk and focus on the work that you need to do. Just because you don’t have to put on your smart clothes and commute to the office, doesn’t mean the workday gets any easier. In fact, it may even feel more difficult for some of us. I cannot wait to have my home office ready to make homey!
As more people started working from home over the past year, it’s become obvious to many just why offices exist. Nobody can work in a makeshift “office” on the kitchen table, with kids running around all over the place. Perhaps it’s time to turn the spare room into a handy little office space where you can work productively and peacefully.
Let’s take a look at how you can create a unique, homely home office, complete with your favourite books, that will allow you to be as productive as possible when you’re working from home.
Take A Break With Desk Toys
It’s easy to become distracted, or stressed out when things don’t go according to plan when working from home. Some people are unable to focus when they are stressed, and for these people, having special home comforts handy can be a great way to stay in good spirits during the work week. However, shifting your mind to an enjoyable experience without completely breaking your professional flow, can be difficult to say the least. With the right approach, however, this can often enable a break of state that allows you to find practical solutions to your stress.
This is where desk toys or other recreational office accessories can come into play. You can allow yourself a little mental getaway with a mini desk zen garden or bonsai tree, a small water feature, candles, a minibar, a comfortable couch, a yoga mat, or even a mini putting green. These little personalised activities can help you monitor your stress levels as well as help you take distance from projects or tasks when you feel you may need it.
Embrace Natural Light
If you have big, sunny windows, count yourself lucky, as in many homes, the home office or study tends to be the smallest and least prioritised room in the house when it comes to ensuring it has a nice view and good light availability. Also, if you have garden offices in your garden, be sure to check nothing is blocking the windows. If your study is in need of some TLC, trim any trees or bushes outside your window to prevent them from blocking out the sunlight, and you’ll find that your home office will feel instantly more warm and cosy. Natural sunlight will also make you feel more energised and positive while you work, boosting your mood and your productivity in the process.
Comfortable Seating
Good posture is arguably one of the most important factors in remaining productive. Maintaining the correct posture can help prevent backaches, neck pain, headaches and a variety of other issues when you’re spending several hours a day in a seated position. You can attain a healthy posture by buying an ergonomic chair with a lumbar support pillow.
Your desk should also be at a comfortable height to avoid slumping or over-reaching for long hours while you work. If your desk is too low for your screen to be at a comfortable reading height, you should consider investing in a monitor riser or laptop stand to ensure you’re in an optimal seating position.
Be sure to also take breaks from sitting to ensure you’re not sitting excessively, as this can be just as detrimental to your long-term health as sitting with bad posture.
Breathe Fresh Air
One of the major drawbacks of working in an office environment is the air conditioning. Whilst crisp, cool air might feel great, commercial-grade HVAC systems often go for long periods without services, eventually resulting in poor indoor air quality.
Working from home means you can use your chosen air purifiers with HEPA-grade filters, or even small desktop air purifiers to capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles. Many of these small, inexpensive devices are available on the market, and some even include essential oil diffusers. Alternatively, opt for nature’s own purifiers: plants. Adding some greenery to your home office will not only make your office feel homey, but it will also bring oxygen and life to any room. Himalayan salt lamps serve the same purpose and can also create a relaxing atmosphere in your office, bathing your workspace in a nice, warm glow.
Following the tips outlined above, you can create a homely home office setup that is tailor-made to suit your specific needs. With the right home office setup, you can ensure that you are comfortable and productive throughout your work week. I cannot wait to have my home office finished, so that I can do this.
