The pandemic has created new realities for both employees and employers to deal with, especially with social and physical distancing being the most effective contagion barrier. By June 2020, approximately 42 percent of working adults in the United States were in full-time work from home arrangements.
However, you may not have been prepared to work from home permanently when the pandemic started. Are you doing your work from your living room couch, or have you staked out a space in your dining room? Regardless of whether you have a dedicated home office or have converted one, there are some ways you can perfect your workspace.
Here are some tips on how you can perfect your home office to maximise productivity.
1. De-Clutter
Your first order of business is to get rid of all the things cluttering up your workspace. This doesn’t just mean taking out things that aren’t related to your work. It also means reducing the number of objects on your desk or workspace. Assess if every object in your workspace needs to be there. Your laptop cooling pad? That should probably stay. A jar full of pencils and pens? You should probably move it somewhere else.
Why This Matters:
Studies have shown that clutter is distracting to the human brain. The presence of too many objects overloads your brain’s visual cortex, competing for attention. Removing clutter will help you concentrate on your work and become more productive.
2. Organise
Once you’ve gotten rid of your clutter, it’s time to organise the objects that are left in your home office. Sort all paperwork and put them in folders or binders. Keep stationery and writing implements to a minimum and put them in pots or holders. But classroom-style shelves and install them in your home office so you can easily organise objects of all sorts and sizes.
Why This Matters:
Organisation is one of the best ways to streamline your work processes. Organising your workspace not only decreases the chances of clutter returning but also makes your workflow easier. Instead of rummaging around your desk or drawers for items, everything you need will already be within easy reach.
3. Repaint
If you have an entire room to transform into a home office, you should seriously consider repainting the walls. Don’t just break open a can of white or beige house paint. Just because it’s a home office doesn’t mean you have to stick to bland wall colours. Consider the nature of your work and how you do it when selecting a new coat of paint for your home office.
Why This Matters:
Certain colours elicit specific responses from you and your brain when they surround you in the form of wall paint. For example, blue helps keep you calm and stable while green protects you from eye fatigue. Yellow wall paint can help coax your creativity. Take your pick of these colours and give your home office a new coat of paint.
4. Soundproof
Your office needs to be a sanctuary for you during work hours. Choose a room that’s not facing the street or a room situated at the back of your house. This will cut down on the amount of traffic noise that will filter into your office. Put down thick carpeting to muffle your sound as well as any sound from any rooms below your office. Install thick drapes and curtains on the window so you can easily cut down on more noise by pulling them close.
Why This Matters:
Sound can be very distracting, particularly if you don’t live alone. Ensuring you don’t get distracted by every passing car or barking dog is crucial, especially when you’re in the middle of something important. Soundproofing can be a boon to your concentration.
5. Get Comfy
Don’t underestimate the importance of getting comfortable with your productivity. Do you want to reinvigorate yourself during your workday? Why not light a couple of your favourite scented candles? Is your desk or chair making it difficult to work properly? Find other pieces of furniture in your house that suits your needs better. Even a neck pillow can be important to your productivity if leaning over your computer gives you neck pain.
Why This Matters:
Offices have been practising ergonomics for years because they understand how important it is to keep employees comfortable. Furniture or spaces that make you uncomfortable saps your concentration, meaning you focus on your body pain rather than your work. Guaranteeing your comfortable in your home office means you can keep working for longer hours.
Your home office is more than just a place for you to prop open your laptop. It’s a place for you to concentrate and focus on your career. Not only does perfecting your home office a great way to remain professional, but it will also provide you with an island of security in these troubled times.
