Work from home office ideas
Coronavirus has thrown our society into a state of uncertainty. Social distancing has meant that many of us are having to drastically change our ways of working to adapt to being at home full time, for the foreseeable future.
But should we wear pyjamas or an office suit? How to set yourself up for productive work when no one sees us? Tin we relax a little or is it still worth observing the requirements for the house as your office space?
We want to give some advice on how best to arrange your space so as not to lose the pace of work and make the performance of your work duties as comfortable as possible.
Surround yourself with things that inspire you
If the view in your flat feels a little bleak, an easy way to switch up your decor to create a home-working vibe is to simply stick up some pictures or quotes that inspire you.
Some tips can be found in our article.
Make your to-do list visible
Make your to-do list as colourful, eye-catching and exciting as possible and keeping it somewhere you can see it so you continue to feel motivated and in-control.
A simple way to do this is to get a wall grid or corkboard and hang it on the wall where you are working. Here you can pin up your ever-changing lists for the day, any extra notes and some pictures that make you happy.
Work according to a predetermined schedule
Without steady schedules, the lines between work and personal time can get blurred and be stressful to get right.
Follow your normal sleep and work patterns if you can, and stay consistent.
Get up at the same time, eat breakfast and get out of your pyjamas. Try scheduling in your “commute time” and spend it exercising, reading or listening to music before logging in.
Most importantly, when your workday stops, stop working. Shut down, stop checking emails and focus on your home life. And at the end of the day, try to get to bed at your usual time.
Finding a space that works for you
In order to quickly tune in to a working mood, it is worth allocating a special area for yourself in an apartment / house. Just sitting on the couch with a laptop is not enough. It is ideal that there are no extra items on the desktop. Psychologists recommend turning off the TV and working in silence so as not to be distracted often.
A comfortable chair is a key to a healthy spine and productive work. Don’t skimp on it. When buying, evaluate whether the back and neck get tired during prolonged sitting, whether the armrests are in place if this is an office model.
These 2 things are also important:
Access to natural light: Natural light is refreshing and energy-boosting. So choose a light, bright space near to a window and you’ll see your creativity, productivity and wellbeing improve. It will also help prevent you from straining your eyes.
Good air quality: The Future Workplace Wellness Study found air quality was rated the number one environmental aspect in the workspace that most affects performance, happiness and wellbeing. And almost half of those surveyed reported that poor air quality makes them get sleepier throughout their workday. So choose a space where you can get a good airflow, perhaps near a door or window so that you can let in some fresh air.
In finding a comfortable workspace, there is no one right solution. And there may be some trial and error involved in finding the best space for you. But having a light, bright, comfortable space to work in, surrounded by things that bring you joy, will make the remote working experience a far more positive one.