Building a home office

Working from home has its perks. Cutting out your commute means less stress and more money. Being in a personal and private space adds a great deal of comfort - especially when you can wear whatever you want. You also have far more flexibility in structuring your routine.

While these benefits can help you work more efficiently, it’s not uncommon to experience a drop in productivity when transitioning to a home office. Your living space is traditionally associated with rest and relaxation, not work. When coupled with plenty of enticing distractions, home can be a challenging environment in which to stay focused. 

Fortunately, the right tools and a bit of know-how are all you need to build the ideal workspace.

Furniture

At the foundation of any productive home office is a good desk and chair. The former should be large enough to keep your equipment sufficiently spaced. Integrated drawers and wire channels can help to reduce clutter. Consider a standing desk to lower strain on your back. Ergonofis sells sit-stand units that can be electronically adjusted.

On a similar note, be sure to invest in a comfortable and ergonomic office chair. Adequate back, thigh, and arm support is a must. Check out the custom chairs on Lifeform to get a better idea of what you should be looking for.

Equipment

Maintain your focus on ergonomics when choosing a keyboard and mouse. Extended periods of typing and clicking on standard peripherals are no good for your wrists and can lead to chronic pain. A set that works over Bluetooth will keep your desk looking clean. Add in a few cable clips to further tidy things up.

Spare yourself the time and effort of juggling windows by picking up a second monitor. Look for a glare-free panel with a blue light filter to prevent eye strain and avoid having your screen keep you up at night. A Wi-Fi router that provides reliable signal strength is another worthwhile investment.

Lighting

Natural lighting is your friend here. It improves your mood and gives you something to gaze at when your eyes need a break. If that isn’t an option, then you can buy an LED that mimics daylight. Verilux has some great options in this category. Whatever you choose, aim to keep your lighting on the cooler side as it promotes productivity and alertness.

Productivity

What else is conducive to a productive workspace? Start by downloading some online productivity tools. Toggl and Boosted are apps that log your work hours and show you how you’re spending your time. Todoist can help you stay on top of tasks, Trello provides an easy way to organise projects, and Freshbooks simplifies invoicing.

If you’re looking for something to decorate your workspace with, consider adding in a few plants. Aside from being visually appealing, they’re said to alleviate stress and improve concentration while helping with indoor air quality.

Remember that it’s usually a better idea to invest in quality products that contribute to your well-being. Make the most of your freedom and create an office space that motivates you to get work done.