As we move further into 2022, it’s looking like more and more businesses are going to include hybrid working schemes into their long-term plans. Though the work-from-home order has been lifted in England, many businesses and employees have embraced the flexibility that working from home offers.
You may have set up your home office as a temporary solution, but if hybrid or remote working is set to stay, it might be time to give your workspace a bit of an upgrade. Now more than ever before, anywhere in your home can serve as an appropriate place to work from – but investing time into your office can take it to the next level.
It might be easy to set your workspace up anywhere, but you may find that you struggle to focus in a chaotic environment. Crafting a space that will ensure that you can be both happy and productive in can be a challenge for those who don’t specialise in interior design, but it’s important to be comfortable while working from home.
To help you upgrade your home workspace, Muir Homes who provide homes in Lanarkshire has compiled a list of tips and tricks. Take a look at how you can improve your office at home.
Distractions
Working from home affords a few luxuries to workers. There are no travel times, no dress code, and no need for a lunchbox, However, not all changes are positive. Your home contains all your favourite amenities such as your TV, computer, or phone. Considering that the average online user in the UK spends about 6.26 hours online each day, these distractions might be hard to resist while you’re working at home without your boss looking over your shoulder.
To be more productive in your home office, make sure that all your digital distractions are kept out of arms reach. That way, you won’t be tempted to indulge in a quick break scrolling through Instagram.
Neat and Tidy Workspace
Clutter is something that you certainly don’t want around your workstation. It can be difficult to find an adequate spot to accommodate your work antics. Simply settling for the easiest workspace where there is enough room to cram in your laptop and a coffee mug can be incredibly tempting when you make the transition to work from home.
However, taking time to establish a comfortable, dedicated workspace for yourself is well worth the initial trouble. Too much mess can have a detrimental effect on our mental health, so it’s important to make sure your workspace is kept as tidy as possible. Sometimes, work can be stressful; it makes sense to ensure that you’re not adding any extra stress on top.
Keep it well-lit
It’s important to ensure that you’re getting enough light throughout the day, even when you’re working from home. Light can have some incredibly positive effects on both your health and productivity. Natural light can reduce stress, boost your immune system (meaning you’ll have fewer days off), and can prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder. So, it’s vital that you get enough natural light all year round.
To make sure you’re reaping these benefits, set up your workspace somewhere with plenty of windows. If you’re looking for a solution that doesn’t involve the lengthy process of window installation, mirrors are a suitable alternative. These reflect natural light around the room, giving you a boost.
Plants in the workplace
Spending time cooped up indoors can be tough. When you’re not getting the chance to travel to and from work, you might feel like you’re missing out on some quality outdoor time among nature. While going for a walk is the best remedy, busy work schedules don’t always accommodate for a midday stroll, and the weather doesn’t always accommodate for an evening journey out.
Instead, if you’re feeling out of touch with nature, why not bring a bit of nature inside your office? Indoor plants are a fantastic way to bring some liveliness into your home; they make for a bold flash of colour too. Paired with blue walls and soft tones, indoor plants can add the finishing touches to an office space that truly embraces the beauty of the outdoors.
Indoor plants also have some hidden benefits for your health too, which are particularly important for work. Plants have been shown to lower stress levels and increase focus. A change as simple as having a plant in your office while you work will help you with your daily tasks.
Add a splash of colour
When organising your home office, it’s good to start from the ground up. So, if you’re going for a full overhaul, it’s worth starting by thinking about the colours you want on your walls. The colours you choose can have a really big impact on your mood, so choose wisely!
Cooler tones work well in an office space, providing an added level of calmness to your working day. Light blue walls can afford your workspace the sense of mindfulness that might be required for those hectic office days. Alternatively, yellow has been shown to promote creativity, so if your role requires plenty of abstract thought or expression, tones of mustard or lemon will get those creative juices flowing.
Even if you’re not planning a full redecoration, adding a few bold touches of colour to your office can enliven your workspace. Experiment with a few colours to suit the mood of your day.
Choosing the right decorations
For those final home office touches, it’s important to pick the right decorations for your space. You want to have an office that is personal to you, so collect up those objects that make you happy. This may be photos of your family, souvenirs from your travels, or perhaps a bowl filled with your favourite treats to snack on throughout the day. The choice is entirely yours, just make sure that you don’t put anything on your desk that is likely to distract you too much.
Alternatively, or additionally, you could go for some decorations that will come in handy while working. An annual timetable could make for a colourful wall decoration that is as vibrant as it is useful. Drawers for stationery such as paper and files, and pots for pens and pencils, ensure that all your equipment is conveniently located near your workspace.
Cultivating that perfect home office can be a therapeutic experience. Even better, you’ll feel the benefit of your efforts as soon as you start working in your fresh office. We hope these tips can help you to elevate your office space so you can work happily and productively in your home.