Working from the comfort of your home might sound like the dream, but more often than not, it’s everything but. Between the undefined work hours, the hectic living environment, and the daily chores that seep into your work hours, finding the strength and energy to focus on your work can seem like an insurmountable task.
Aside from forming a healthy morning routine to kick-start your day just right, you also need to build a home office that resonates with your mind and soul, a space that will allow you to stay productive throughout the day. Here’s how you can create an ideal work environment in your home that will take your career to the next level.
A space just for you
Building a home office that emanates positivity and productivity begins with choosing the ideal space, and decorating it to speak to your unique personality and taste. Firstly, keep in mind that if you don’t have a separate room in your household you can repurpose, your “office” can also be a “no kids and hubby” zone in the living room. So don’t despair, there is always a way to separate yourself from the rest of the family for some peace and quiet.
Now, this room should be a place where you inherently feel safe, positive, and awake. You also want to make it all about you and your business, so make sure to add a touch of personality with artwork on the walls, maybe some framed motivational quotes on the desk, or any belongings that inspire you to do your best every single day.
Declutter mercilessly, organize professionally
A cluttered work environment leads to a cluttered mind. When your mind is constantly under stress and when your thoughts are disorganized, you can expect your productivity to suffer, your energy to dwindle, and your enthusiasm to subside. So naturally, the habit you always want to uphold is to keep your office clutter-free and organized.
Start by dedicating a place on your desk, in your drawers, and everywhere else for all work-related documents, gadgets, and utilities. Organize your work into folders and separators, and label everything for easy navigation. Once everything is in place, simply remember to declutter your office every month.
Make it comfy, stylish, and inspirational
The furniture in your office serves a double purpose of being functional and elevating the aesthetic appeal of the place. The aesthetic appeal of your office, on the other hand, serves the purpose of shaping your daily mindset and influencing the mood of your business guests, should you need to accommodate them here.
With that in mind, you will need an ergonomic chair for your desk, yes, but you also need a comfy seating area. Consider introducing contemporary sofas in the middle of the room, and decorating this area for maximum comfort and aesthetic appeal. You can do this by placing a beautiful Moroccan rug underneath a statement coffee table, and complementing the sofas with colorful throws.
Let natural light flood the room
There is no denying that natural light is extremely important for your health and overall well-being, but when it comes to your living environment, the amount of light that permeates the room can mean all the difference. By all means, go ahead and hang breathtaking full-length curtains on the windows, just make sure they don’t prevent the sunlight from reaching inside.
Likewise, the quality of artificial lighting will be crucial for your health and productivity, especially if you’re working long hours. For maximum productivity no matter the time of night, you’ll need a strong overhead light, and a complementary lamp on your desk that will cast a warm glow in your field of view.
Complement the design with healthful greenery
Speaking of productivity and vibrancy throughout the day, office greenery can make an amazing impact on your energy levels. Most people simply turn to scrolling through their social media feeds in order to “rest” before tackling the next big task, but in reality that’s only putting unnecessary strain on their eyes and causing fatigue and stress.
Instead, introduce vibrant greenery into your office by placing potted plants on the windowsill, in the corners of the room, and the corner of your desk. Now, simply let your mind rest and recuperate as you gaze at the restorative green hue of nature.
Working from home is definitely not a walk in the park, and it can become downright stressful if you don’t make the necessary preparations. Follow these steps, and the home office of your dreams will become a beautiful reality.
Bio: Cooper Klein is a bearded dad from Sydney. He’s a regular contributor to SmoothDecorator and several online magazines. You can find him on Twitter.
