Making the most of your home office

Many more people are working from home during our time of social distancing than ever before. Having an organized home office will make you more efficient while you are working from home.

Make the most of what you have

Every home doesn’t have a great spot for an office. You might have to find a little nook or corner to make your own. Even the dining room table can be an office if you put everything you need in a tote or bin that you can bring into the room during work hours.

Lighting

In order to be productive, you need to be able to see what you are doing. Having good lighting is a must for your home office. Bring in a lamp or open the blinds to get the lighting you need.

Ergonomic Layout

Do you have to get up and walk to a cabinet 10 times a day? While it is good to get away from the computer for a few moments every hour and walking is good to break up the monotony, you need to have important paperwork nearby. Office supplies should also be within reach.

Personalize space

Photos can make your workspace more comfortable. Having a framed photo, diploma or award in your home office gives you motivation to work.

Colors 

The color of your walls or furniture can have an effect on your mood. Orange (energy) green (refreshing), blue (productive) and brown (security) are the best colors for getting things done. Yellow (frustration), purple (distraction), dark pink (irritating) and red (difficult to concentrate) are colors to avoid, if possible. 

Add life

One way to incorporate green into the room is with a healthy plant. Having a living thing, other than the occasional interruption by a family member or pet, is a nice way to spruce up the home office.

Comfort

Make yourself as comfortable as you can at your desk. If you spend a lot of hours at your desk, having a chair that is good for your posture is extremely important. Your back will tell you if the chair is all wrong. Sitting on the couch, on the floor or on a bed will not give you the back support you need for spending several hours working.

Privacy

The home office is your work zone. Interruptions by kids, pets or personal phone calls will make it difficult to finish your work. Find a way to separate yourself from the rest of the family during work hours. Even if you live alone, keeping your work separate from your personal belongings will make your workday go more smoothly.

With a good chair, proper lighting and privacy, you can make the most of your time working at home. I have a class coming up called Zoom Into Your Home Office on Tuesday, May 5 from 11am-12pm. Sign up if you need help with your home office.