How to Make a Home Office More Comfortable
In case you hadn’t noticed, home working is seriously on-trend right now. According to a recent survey, over three-quarters of previously office-based Americans hope to work remotely forever, even after the COVID-19 pandemic has become a distant memory.
Despite all the perks of remote working (who doesn’t love working in sweats?), it comes with its own set of challenges. Noisy kids, nosy pets, attention-stealing devices, or overbearing roommates can seriously affect your mood and focus.
To ensure your productivity and morale remain high, then, you’ll need to establish a quiet and comfortable home office free from distractions. Whether you’ve got an entire room or a small corner of the basement to work with, the following tips and tricks will help you put together a gorgeous office space at home.
Start by investing in a cozy chair
Don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful, ergonomically designed desk chair. Spending seven or eight hours a day in the same position can take a grave toll on your health. In the long term, sitting on a cheap office chair or wobbly kitchen stool could cause orthopedic problems and leave you feeling mighty stressed. Although ergonomic chairs can be on the pricier side, a well-built model will ensure you feel super comfy and refreshed all day long!
Buy a trash can
Okay, so this advice may seem a little obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people fail to install a trash can or recycling box in their office space. Let’s be realistic – if you’re in the middle of a busy workday, you’re unlikely to bother walking to the kitchen to discard old documents or snack wrappers. With a trash can, you can make your life easier and ensure your room remains tidy and welcoming.
Personalize your space
Everyone needs a pick-me-up now and then, particularly when faced with hundreds of emails from demanding clients. Personalizing your home office with family photos and objects of sentimental value will help you get through even the toughest of Zoom calls.
Find a temperature that suits you
The temperature of a room significantly influences your ability to work. Too cold, and you may find yourself distracted and tetchy. Too hot, and you could end up falling asleep. The solution? If you’re unable to centrally control the temperature of your home or want to keep energy costs down, purchase a portable air conditioner or heater. You’ll thank yourself in the long run!
Choose your lighting carefully
Try to arrange your lighting so that the office feels friendly and tranquil while ensuring your desk is well-illuminated to avoid eyestrain. This could mean investing in a bright desk lamp while carefully placing lanterns or soft spotlights around the perimeter of your space.
Establish a logical filing system
Maintaining a well-organized office space is crucial if you want to keep your stress levels down and your productivity up. If you’re inundated with paper documents, we recommend purchasing some pretty folders or desk drawers to keep everything in order.
Paint your walls
If you’re feeling uninspired or lethargic, your wall color could be to blame. According to psychological research, the colors you use in your home interiors could have a profound impact on your emotional health. Different colors tend to evoke specific feelings, with blues often associated with calm and reds with passion and action. Many experts suggest using green in a home office, as it promotes concentration and a stable mood.
The bottom line: Find something that works for you
The most important rule to follow when designing your office space is to create something that works for you. Before you get to work, why not jot down what you would want in a dream remote office? This simple list could prove invaluable while browsing your nearest homeware store!
