Home Office Setup Essentials: 6 Principles to Improve Your Space

Create an efficient and comfortable home office space: Six major factors help you improve your work efficiency

An efficient home office environment is not determined by a single factor, but is the result of the harmonious unity of many factors. Powerful Wi-Fi can’t compensate for the frustration brought by the shaking chair, and soft natural light can’t isolate the hustle and bustle of children across the street. To create a space that promotes efficient work, every detail is crucial.

Although specific needs vary by career (software engineers may require a more powerful computer than copywriter), the following six elements are essential for creating an ideal home office environment.

Core points:

• Divid separate work areas within the residence, both physically and psychologically, are isolated from the leisure and sleep areas to balance work and life.
• Use white noise machines, noise-cancelling headphones or anti-drag applications to minimize interference and optimize lighting with natural light or full spectrum bulbs.
• Invest in buying high-quality furniture, keep the work area clean, and place some items that can stimulate enthusiasm and motivation to create an environment that is more conducive to efficient work.

1. Create a separate workspace

While many people hate morning rush hour commutes, the shift in work from home to another separate location helps create what we call a “work-life balance.” Work and life are like both ends of a balance, but when working from home, work and life are crowded with each other.

To regain balance, you must create a separate work space, physically and psychologically, isolated from the space where you relax and sleep. In other words, the workplace cannot be non-working.

If you live in a multi-room residence, this should be relatively easy. Designate one of the rooms as your office. Get it done.

But if you live in a home or apartment without extra rooms, you need to think about it. If you cannot set up doors between your home and work, install partitions or curtains. You can even make a partition with plants. These partitions help tell your brain that it is working time now, not playing time.

Another way to let your brain distinguish between a home office and a home is to leave your home before you start working. Get up and go for a walk, run a quick leg, or take out the trash. Do something to tell your brain that you are transitioning from part of the day to another.

2. Avoid interference

Unless you are lucky enough to have a Faraday cage at home, you will definitely experience some kind of interference during the day. Some of these distractions may be auditory. Maybe the guy who lives upstairs stomps all day; maybe the park across the street attracts a lot of bad street musicians. Here, sound is the enemy, and the solutions are white noise machines, noise-cancelling headphones, and even high-power fans (and self-care).

Other interferences may be digital. Without anyone staring at you, it’s easy for you to wander around the internet instead of working. This is where anti-procrastination apps come in handy. Here are some good apps:

• Freedom can block any website or application you specify.
• Mindful Browsing can sense when you browse aimlessly, interrupt you, and guide you back to work.
• LeechBlock limits the time you spend on a time wasted website with a timer.

3. Natural light

If you can, set your workspace in a room with natural light, as natural light has been proven to increase productivity. One way it does this is by shrinking the pupil, thereby enhancing reading ability. Natural light can also help regulate mood, sleep, and immune systems by regulating the endocrine system. The world outside the window also makes you feel less trapped and closer to nature. This is good for both body and mind!

However, if natural light is not an option, consider using a full spectrum bulb, which can simulate the temperature of natural daylight (6,500 Kelvin). Full spectrum light is very beneficial and it is used to treat mood disorders, skin diseases and other diseases. So it doesn't just help you read.

4. Keep it clean

Clutter can lead to delay. When we have too many “stuff” we start to feel overwhelmed, which leads to the old “I just need to lie on the couch and turn off my brain” approach. To avoid procrastination due to sensory overload, clean, organize and clean your workspace. This includes:

• Hide wires by hanging them on the back of furniture, stuffing them into pipes, or hiding them behind panels or other office accessories.
• Develop an archive system and organize these files into folders, binders and lockers.
• Take away what you don't use. (No, you will never use those CD-ROMs from 15 years ago; they are trash, so send them to the grave they deserve.)
• Organize items according to frequency of use. (Items that are frequently used can be placed in the top drawer, and items that are not often used can be placed in the bottom drawer.)

Tip: Apply these same strategies (except wires) to your desktop.

5. Make your home office environment full of inspiration

It doesn't all things in the home office need to be practical. Putting an item on your desk that brings you happiness, or hanging a poster that brings you peace of mind helps you stay positive, and a positive mindset is essential for efficient work days. While we can't tell you exactly how to decorate your workspace for maximum inspiration, here are some general ideas:

• Photos of friends and family
• Your favorite cute animal pictures and GIF folders
• Souplets that remind you of your loved one or your precious moments in your life
• Some absolutely stupid things that make you laugh

In general, decorate your space with things that remind you of why you are doing it all.

6. Quality Furniture

Most home offices are built around two pieces of furniture: a table and a chair. You want your table to be sturdy and durable, big enough to hold everything you need, and the plus point is that it can stand up (not on a whim, it’s science!). As for your chair, you want it to provide proper lumbar support and usually won't make you feel any discomfort.

There are thousands of tables and chairs to choose from, and it’s worth spending money to ensure that the infrastructure of your home office is well served. To find out what options are available, here are some highly rated tables and chairs:

Desk

• Low-end: Atlantic Gaming Desk, $98
• Mid-range: IKEA Skarsta (adjustable lift table), $239
• High-end: SmartDesk 2 Premium (Adjustable Lifting Table) $449

Chair

• Low-end: Staples Telford, $119
• Mid-range: IKEA Markus, $229
• High-end: Herman Miller Aeron, $995
• I didn't expect the numbers to be so high-end: Herman Miller Embody, $1,670

Summary:

• If you cannot designate a room outside your bedroom as your workspace, find a way to separate your desk from your bed.
• Eliminate interference with white noise and anti-drag applications.
• If you can, set your workspace near the window. If not, use a full spectrum bulb.
• Avoid overwhelming the clutter by keeping the workspace clean, tidy and organized.
• Motivate yourself to maintain a positive mindset by decorating your workspace with items and souvenirs that bring you happiness, peace, or laughter.
• Invest in a good set of table and chair combinations or you may feel sore and irritated at the end of the day.

Essential Elements for Working from Home FAQs

What are the most important factors when setting up a home office?

The most important factors when setting up a home office include location, lighting, furniture and technology. The location should be quiet and undisturbed. Natural light is ideal for reducing eye fatigue and improving mood. Ergonomic furniture such as comfortable chairs and tables of appropriate heights can prevent physical discomfort. Finally, make sure you have reliable technology, including a fast internet connection, a good computer and necessary software.

How to keep my home office comfortable during long hours?

To keep your home office comfortable during long hours of work, invest in ergonomic furniture. Adjustable chairs and tables can help maintain good posture. In addition, you can also consider using a keyboard and mouse designed to reduce stress. Regular rest is also important to prevent fatigue and strain.

What are some tips for staying productive in the home office?

Staying productivity in a home office can be achieved by creating regular schedules, minimizing distractions, and creating dedicated workspaces. It is also beneficial to have regular breaks and keep the work space clean and organized.

How do I create a home office in a small space?

Creating a home office in a small space can be achieved by utilizing vertical space for storage, choosing furniture that suits the space, and using light colors to make the space feel larger. In addition, multi-functional furniture can be considered, which can be used for both work and other activities.

Which lighting is best for home offices?

Natural light is the best choice for home offices as it reduces eye strain and improves mood. If natural light is not available, consider using a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting and decorative lighting to create a well-lit workspace.

How to reduce noise in the office at home?

Noise in the home office can be reduced by using noise-cancelling headphones, adding soft accessories to absorb sound, and using a white noise machine. If possible, choose an office location away from the noisy area of ​​the house.

What home office technology do I need?

The technology required for working from home depends on your job. However, generally, a reliable computer, a fast internet connection and necessary software are essential. Other useful technologies may include printers, scanners, and additional displays.

How to make my home office look more professional in video calls?

To make your home office look more professional in video calls, make sure your background is clean and tidy. Good lighting is also important so that you can be clearly visible. If your workspace is not ideal, consider using a background or virtual background.

How to keep my home office in order?

Keeping your home office in order can be achieved through regular cleaning, using storage solutions, and specifying locations for each item. It is also helpful to clean up at the end of each day so you can start over the next day.

How to make my home office more environmentally friendly?

Making home offices more environmentally friendly can be achieved through the use of energy-saving lighting, recycling and selection of environmentally friendly office supplies. In addition, natural light and ventilation can be considered to reduce energy consumption.

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