Do you work from home? If so, you probably spend a hefty chunk of your time in your home office. When you step inside, does it welcome you with open arms, or do you heave a sigh at the mess of papers littering your desk?
The environment where you spend your time impacts your overall productivity and focus. If you want to supercharge your performance, you need to create the ideal space for it and enhance your home office.
It doesn’t matter if you have a dedicated room or a small corner — make it an oasis with the following tips!
1. Adjust Your Lighting
Did you know that harsh, overhead fluorescent lights can trigger migraines if you’re susceptible to them? Trying to perform at your productive best when you’re running to vomit every five minutes, and evil dwarfs hammer your skull doesn’t go well. If you built your home office in a garage or basement with such an assembly, look into upgrading, stat.
You can replace such fixtures with track lighting that is easier on the eyes. This style of fixture also enables you to direct light where you need it the most, like the area of your desk where you perform calculations. When you enhance your home office so that you can see what you’re doing, you accomplish much more.
2. Improve Climate Control
Think about your thermostat — where is it located? Chances are, it’s on an interior wall that doesn’t see extremes of heat or cold. If you established your office in a garage or basement, you could shiver or swelter. Even if you’re in a bedroom, factors like windows can impact the climate control of your office.
If your climate control varies with the elements, try installing new insulation, and caulk any windows that let in drafts. If your space tends toward a few degrees more or less than you find comfortable, consider adding a space heater or a ceiling fan. That way, you’re not freezing other family members by cranking down the AC to cool your south-facing workspace.
3. Upgrade Your Desk
Your desk likely supports your computer, so make sure it’s sturdy, even if you construct it yourself. Plus, you want to ensure the location of your desk doesn’t impede your workflow, so select one small enough that you can get behind it without bruising yourself.
If you have degenerative disk disease or another condition that makes sitting for extended periods painful, consider a variable height desk that lets you adjust from sitting to standing. If your budget doesn’t allow for a commercial version, you can use stacks of boxes to create a similar effect.
4. Find an Ergonomic Chair
If you’re a programmer or an accountant, you probably spend considerable time in your chair. Enhance your home office by making your seat comfortable and suitable for your body. You may not need to shell out hundreds for a
conventional version unless you typically entertain clients in your home.
You can sit on an exercise ball to improve your posture and burn additional calories while you type. You’ll also save money, as you can find these devices for less than $30 at popular retailers.
5. Consider Practicalities
Depending on your function, you may need more than a laptop to do your job. For example, if you prepare taxes, you need to safeguard the personally identifiable information of your clients with a locking file cabinet.
Think of your home office the way that an FTSE 1000 would — what practicalities do you need? Surrounding yourself with the necessities saves you valuable time otherwise spent running to the store or your corporate work hub.
6. Personalize With Photographs
What do you work for, anyway? Chances are, you do so for more than the satisfaction that comes with doing a job well. You also work to support your family and your passions!
Fill your space with images that give you joy, whether it’s a framed picture of your kids or a mural of a Grand Canyon. When you have a challenging day, all you need to do is look up to remind yourself why you work.
7. Add a Houseplant
Over 30 years ago, NASA performed a study to determine how humans could live on other planets. The most crucial component to human life, is, of course, oxygen, so they wanted to see if plants could produce sufficient quantities.
They discovered that not only did greenery emit oxygen, but it also cleansed the air of toxins like formaldehyde and benzene. Your indoor air quality impacts your productivity and determines how frequently you fall ill, so add a begonia or spider plant to your office space. This tip is particularly critical if you work in a garage or an attic where you also store chemicals.
8. Try Some Aromatherapy
If you’ve ever gone into the office with a head cold, you know that trying to work when you’re sick makes you feel miserable. Dry, indoor air destroys the mucus that serves as your body’s first defense against invaders.
The right level of humidity can even deactivate flu virus particles, making it less likely that you’ll catch a bug. Add a small aromatherapy humidifier to your space and use energizing scents like lemon and orange zest to supercharge your productivity.
9. Give Yourself a Break
When you work from home, it’s tempting to go, go, go without ever taking a break. After all, you don’t have to waste time commuting. It’s natural to want to fill those extra hours productively. However, you’ll perform much better if you give your mind and body the rest it needs.
Consider installing a small exercise area where you can perform a few jumping jacks or yoga stretches when you need to relieve stress. If you enjoy the occasional drink, go ahead and invest in that whimsical globe that hides a secret mini-bar. When you enhance your home office with comforting touches, you’ll want to spend more time there.
Enhance Your Home Office With These Nine Tips
When you enhance your home office with these tips, you’ll find your productivity is far higher than it was. Get started on improving your workspace today!
Pinstripe Magazine Staff
Online Men’s Lifestyle Magazine on Gear, Grooming, Girls, Gadgets
