Working at home can be a great way to improve your productivity and save your business money. However, sometimes it can be difficult to separate your work life and your home life. Making sure the two are distinct will help you to be more productive and to achieve a much better work-life balance. This doesn’t mean that your workspace has to be boring, however. Here are a few tips to help make sure your home office is more enjoyable and productive.
1. Set Your Work Space Apart
Having a designated work area, whether it’s a corner in your living room or a fully functional separate office, is an important aspect to succeeding in a work-from-home scenario. Even with a small space to work with you can find ways to set your work area apart from the rest of your house. Making sure you have a designated work table or desk for all of your work equipment and ensuring that you will have some amount of quiet time is key to staying productive.
2. Consider Corners
Unless you leave in a really unique little home, every house has corners. Whether it’s a small area in your dining room or in a spare bedroom, corners can provide the perfect work sanctuary to help separate your living and work areas. A simple corner desk with your laptop, a few shelves, and a corner desk can really improve your productivity especially if you’re usually working at your dining room table.
3. Bold Colors
Another way to set your space apart is by adding a splash of bold color. Is your dining room or spare bedroom painted in mostly neutral colors? If so you can really make your work space more fun and enjoyable by adding some bold colors. Colors such as red or dark blue can add a sense of professionalism and productivity and can make your space “pop.” Just be sure that the colors you choose don’t clash with the rest of the room or your space will become more of a distraction than a help.
4. Keep it Clean
This one may seem obvious but keeping your workspace clean is extremely important. Lots of trash or clutter can be very distracting and can easily derail your productivity and make working very frustrating. A clean workspace, on the other hand, can allow your mind to focus solely on the task at hand without wondering how long that coffee mug has been sitting there or where on earth you put that important file.
5. Storage Space is Key
Storage space goes hand in hand with keeping your space clean. It can be difficult to keep your area tidy if not everything has a home. Plenty of file space, shelves, and places to organize wires can take your work space from cluttered to clean in a matter of minutes. If everything has a place then it is much simpler to keep your desk (and brain!) organized and clutter free.
6. Add Personal Touches
Just because your office is in your home doesn’t mean you should neglect adding a few personal touches. Adding photos of your family or small mementos can really help you connect with your space and feel comfortable working there. If your work area is drab and boring and doesn’t reflect your own personal style, even in your own home, it can feel very isolating.
7. Don’t Skimp on Comfort
Having a comfortable work space is one of the most important aspects of any successful office. Making sure your office is a comfortable temperature and investing in the right desk chair can be the difference between a productive work day or a colossal failure. Just be sure your space isn’t too comfortable or you’ll be more likely to fall asleep than get any real work accomplished.
8. Good Lighting is Crucial
Similar to comfort, lighting can really make the difference in your home office. Without proper lighting you might find yourself squinting and frustrated while trying to stay focused and accomplish all of your tasks for the day. On the other hand too-bright, fluorescent lighting can make you feel like you’re in a spotlight and can also derail your productivity. Investing in the right lighting can make all the difference.
9. Add Some Green
Plants are a great addition to any office space. Whether you have a large room just for your office or a small corner, a plant can liven up the space. Plants can also reduce your overall stress level, increase your productivity, as well as inexpensively transforming the look and feel of your space.
Taking the time to make a few changes to set your work area apart from the rest of your house can make all the difference. Simply picking the right area, adding a few personal touches, and keeping your space clean can be the difference between a productive work area and a frustrating home office.
