As more people find themselves working remotely, they have to find a way to turn a portion of their home into a home office.
Office space at home allows you to have an area to keep your computer and other work-related materials. Ideally, this space will be separate from the rest of your living space, so that you’re able to close the door at the end of the day and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
While designing a home office doesn’t seem like it should be challenging, there are a few mistakes that many people make.
If you want to be as productive as possible in your home office, make sure to avoid the following five mistakes.
Choosing a bad chair
If you’re going to be sitting for hours at a time, you’re going to want a cushioned chair with lumbar support. Many make the mistake of pulling a wooden chair over to their desk or not using a chair with enough support.
You want to look for a chair that supports the curve of your lower back and is adjustable in height. If possible, try the chair before purchasing it.
Some people also prefer adjustable desks. This allows them to move from sitting to standing throughout the day, which helps prevent stiff backs and other body aches. If you’re considering an adjustable desk, you can find more information at https://heightadjustabledesksonline.com/.
Working around distractions
Some people make the mistake of planning their office space in an area that cannot be easily separated from the rest of the house. Taking a conference call while your parrot squawks in the background isn’t recommended!
Try to find an area in your home that can be shut off with a door. If you’re unable to separate the area completely, consider putting up a partition.
Keep in mind that babies and small children can also be very distracting. If you’re a parent trying to work from home, you are likely going to need to hire a babysitter or a nanny to help keep the children occupied while you’re working.
Forgetting about lighting
Poor lighting can cause eyestrain and drain your energy, eventually leading to headaches and fatigue. Ideally, when you’re planning an office space, you will be able to plan it in an area that is full of natural light.
If you don’t have natural light in your office, you’re going to want to find ways to avoid harsh, direct lights. If using a table light, use a lampshade to help diffuse light. You can also use lights that point up towards the ceiling instead of directly at you.
You might be tempted to use soft ambient lighting. However, staring at a computer screen in a dark room can also cause eyestrain and headaches.
Not personalizing the space
Finally, another common mistake people make is not personalizing their home office space! They use plain office furniture or fail to decorate the area. Just because you’re working at home doesn’t mean you can’t make your space enjoyable to look at!
Consider adding an accent wall for a pop of color or personalize the area with some of your favorite decorations. Make sure to utilize your vertical space. Hang a bulletin board on the wall and decorate it with your favorite photographs. Place shelves on the walls and decorate them with picture frames and small knick-knacks.
Try to decorate your home office in a way that inspires you and makes you happy to be there.
Not putting enough storage in
If you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time in your office, you’re going to want to have as much storage as possible. Over time, you’re going to gather office supplies, various files, and books related to your industry.
Think about storage when you start planning out your office. You’re going to want to incorporate at least one filing cabinet. (thermi.com) If you plan for most of your files to be digital, you still might want some sort of filing storage box for things such as financial documents.
Keeping your office space neat and tidy will result in a more productive work environment. Nobody wants to stare at a cluttered desk!
In summary
If you’re planning a home office space, you’re going to want to make it as comfortable and homey as possible, but you’re also going to want to make sure that you create a productive work environment. Avoid making mistakes such as working around distractions, not having enough storage, and using harsh lighting.
