Set Up a Productive and Comfortable Home Office With These Expert Tips

Working from home definitely has its perks – you can take a break to walk the dog or make yourself a cup of tea without having to leave your desk, and there’s no need for the pesky commute. But it can also be difficult to stay productive when you’re not in an office environment. So, If you’re looking to set up a comfortable and productive home office, read on for our top tips!

Create A Designated Work Zone

One of the best ways to stay productive when working from home is to create a designated work zone in your living space. This could be as simple as setting up a desk in a corner of the room or using a separate room entirely for working. By having a specific space for work, you’ll be able to switch off when you leave your desk and make sure that work doesn’t bleed into the rest of your home life. 

Likewise,  if you’ve got children or pets, having a designated work zone will help them to understand that you’re busy and shouldn’t be disturbed. You can also put a gate or baby gate across the door to stop them from entering.

Invest In A Comfortable Chair

Ergonomics are an important part of any office, but particularly so in a home office! You want to ensure that all of your furniture is comfortable – from the desk and chair you use to the bed in your bedroom. If you work at a desk all day, it’s important that your back is well supported so as not to cause any long-term damage. If your current chair isn’t great, consider investing in something more supportive and adjustable –  you’ll be surprised at how much of an impact it can have on your productivity. Specifically, opting for an ergonomic office chair with lumbar support will help you to stay comfortable and avoid slumping over your desk.

If you don’t want to buy a new chair, consider adding a cushion or pillow to the seat or backrest so that you’re more comfortable. It’s also important that your feet are resting comfortably on the floor – if they aren’t, try using a footrest.

Get Rid Of The Clutter

Over time, it’s easy for an office to become cluttered with paper files, sticky notes, pens, and other stationery items. If you’ve got a lot of clutter in your work zone, one of the storage solutions is to consider decluttering the space and organizing everything into boxes or folders. Not only will this make your work area look neater, but it’ll also help you to find what you need quickly and avoid distractions.

It’s also important to maintain your computer desktop organized so that you can be more productive when working. If it’s cluttered, you’ll be less likely to focus on the task at hand. Consider creating folders and naming them according to what they contain. If you’re looking for something specific, it’ll be much easier to find in a well-organized folder than on a cluttered desktop.

Add Some Greenery To Your Space

If your home office is feeling too sterile and needs some life, consider adding some indoor plants! Plants have been shown to improve productivity and reduce stress in office environments – making them ideal for your home office. If you haven’t got a green thumb, there are plenty of easy-care houseplants like the following:

• peace lilies, 
• philodendrons,  
• snake plants

If you’re looking for a plant that’s particularly desk-friendly,  try a cactus or succulent. Not only do they require very little water, but they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you’re sure to find one that will fit in with your office’s décor. 

Create A Productive Music Playlist

Working in silence can be incredibly boring and counterproductive – not to mention it may even cause you to fall asleep! If you’re looking for a way to stay productive when working, consider creating a productive music playlist that’s full of upbeat songs. The right music can help to keep you focused and motivated, so make sure that the songs on your playlist are ones that you enjoy listening to.

If you want something more soothing,  try listening to ambient noise or classical music. As long as it isn’t too loud, this can be just the thing to help calm you down and focus on your work.

Invest In A Good Desk Lamp

A good desk lamp is an essential piece of office equipment, regardless of whether you’re working from home or in a traditional office space. Not only will it help to brighten up the space, but it’ll also allow you to see what you’re doing better. LED desk lamps are a great option as they don’t produce a lot of heat, meaning you won’t get too hot while working.

Set Boundaries With Your Family

Working from home can be tricky when it comes to setting boundaries with your family. If you’re not careful, they may start to see your office as their personal playground. To avoid this happening, try setting up regular family meetings to discuss what’s going on at home and how you can help each other out more.

Another good tip is to set a timer for when your workday ends so that everyone knows it’s time to relax and unwind – no matter what they might be doing in the meantime. 

Don’t Forget To Take Breaks!

It’s important to remember that you’re not a robot, so don’t expect yourself to be able to work all day at home, without taking any breaks. If you feel like your productivity is dropping off, try stepping away from your desk for a few minutes and going outside or having lunch with friends.

Start Setting Up Your Home Office!

Now that you’ve got some tips on how to set up a productive and comfortable home office, it’s time to get started! Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been working from home for a while, these tips will help you to improve your productivity and make your office feel more like home.