Since the rise of Covid-19, it has become a lot more common to work from home. As more of us embrace remote work, whether that's working for a company who is nice enough to let you stay in the comfort of your own home, or you've decided to pursue a new business venture, the importance of creating a productive work environment is very important.
Transforming your home office into a productivity powerhouse can require planning and thoughtful design. In this guide, we'll explore practical strategies and tips to optimise your home workspace for maximum efficiency and effectiveness!
Several studies over the past few months show that productivity while working from home is better than working in an office setting. On average, those who work from home spend 10 minutes less a day being unproductive, work one more day a week, and are 47% more productive - so let’s help you be a part of that statistic.
In This Blog I Talk About:
A Designated Work Space In Your Home
Comfortable Chairs For Working From Home
Declutter Your Office Space
Stationery for Staying Organised
Working From Home Equipment
Home Office Decoration
Creating A Daily Schedule
Minimising Distractions At Home
My name's Ella and I run my online accessories and stationery store - Quinn's Pins. When I first started running my business full time from home, it was a challenge to keep myself focused on tasks. So here are a few of my tips!
A Designated Work Space In Your Home
Designating a dedicated workspace within your home is the first step towards productivity. Whether it's a spare room, a corner of your living room, or a converted shed away from the noise of the family home, having a defined area solely dedicated to work helps establish boundaries and set the tone for productivity.
Having a specific workplace within your home is also a great way to ensure that you stop working once you are away from that area - it can be easy to get carried away with work when you’re so close to that sofa! 77% of remote workers prefer a separate workspace to be productive. This statistic alone shows the importance of having a dedicated workspace when working remotely. You can read more about that here
Comfortable Chairs For Working From Home
Investing in ergonomic furniture and accessories is most definitely worth the money! A comfortable chair that promotes good posture, an adjustable desk to accommodate different working positions, and proper lighting are essential components of an ergonomic setup.
To go that little step further, you could even consider incorporating ergonomic keyboards and mouse options to minimise strain on your wrists and hands during extended periods of typing - if that doesn’t scream comfort, I don’t know what does!
Declutter Your Office Space
A tidy home is a tidy mind! Having a messy work space is likely to decrease your productivity, as well as your mental health and stress levels. In fact, studies show that 94% of employees operating within clean and organised spaces show up to 15% greater productivity. So be sure to keep your designated work spare clutter free and organised.
To do this, invest in storage solutions such as shelves, drawers, or filing cabinets to keep documents, supplies, and equipment neatly stored away. There are many storage solutions available in a range of colours and styles - even storage can look aesthetically pleasing!
Managing cables and wires is also a great way to maintain a clean and streamlined workspace. Wires can take up a great amount of desk space, so having these neatly packed together will save you a lot of room and stress. A clutter-free environment brings clarity of mind and minimises distractions, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
Here'a a photo of my office space. I love to include a lot of colour in my storage, accessories and my products! As well as a lot of plants to make my space feel open and clean.
Stationery for Staying Organised
Stationery plays a crucial role in keeping your home office organised and efficient. Invest in high-quality stationery items such as notebooks, planners, and desk organises to streamline your workflow and enhance productivity. A functional To Do List is a great way to keep all of your daily tasks in front of you so that you don’t lose track of your tasks. With this comes the satisfying job of ticking off completed tasks, which will help you to feel accomplished!
By incorporating well-chosen stationery into your home office setup, you can create a visually appealing and organised workspace that fosters productivity and creativity.
Working From Home Equipment
Technology plays a pivotal role in our day to day work lives, so ensure that your home office is equipped with reliable technology to support your workflow. This includes a fast and stable internet connection, a capable computer or laptop, and essential peripherals such as a printer, scanner, and any backup storage you might need.
Pay attention to the ambiance of your home office as it can significantly impact your mood and productivity. Choose decor and colours that promote concentration and motivation.
Home Office Decoration
Pay attention to the overall feel of your home office as it can significantly impact your mood and productivity. Choose decor and colours that promote concentration and motivation, for example; Blues, Oranges and Greens are well known colours to improve productivity and concentration. Warm colors such as yellow boost energy, promote optimism, and inspire creativity. You can read more about how colours affect office productivity here.
Incorporate elements such as plants, artwork, or inspirational quotes to personalise your space and create a conducive atmosphere for productivity. I have a range of products that help to create a brighter, more functional workspace, be sure to check out my store! You could also consider introducing background music or white noise to drown out distractions and enhance focus.
Creating A Daily Schedule
Establishing a daily routine is key to maintaining productivity and consistency in your home office. Set regular working hours and stick to them as much as possible. Define clear start and end times for work and incorporate breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge.
Studies show that taking frequent 20 second breaks from your computer screen every 20 minutes can help to avoid tired eyes and headaches. So be sure to give your eyes a reset!. Creating a consistent routine reinforces productivity habits and helps maintain a healthy work-life balance.
How To Create A Daily Schedule
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Set Goals: Determine what you want to accomplish each day. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable goals to make them more achievable.
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Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important tasks that need to be completed. Rank them in order of importance to ensure that you tackle high-priority items first.
- Allocate Time: Allocate specific time blocks for each task or activity on your schedule. Be realistic about how much time each task will take and allow for breaks and transitions between activities.
- Balance Work and Breaks: Ensure that your schedule includes regular breaks to rest and recharge. Taking short breaks can help prevent burnout and improve overall productivity.
- End-of-Day Reflection: Take a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on what you accomplished and what tasks still need attention. Use this time to plan for the next day and make any adjustments to your schedule as needed.
Take a look at our Priorities To Do List, which is a great notepad to structure the steps above.
Minimising Distractions At Home
Working from home comes with a lot of distractions, whether that’s a chatty partner, something good on the TV or the group chat planning their next outing. Identify potential sources of distraction in your home office and take proactive steps to minimise them.
This may involve setting boundaries with family members or roommates, silencing notifications on your devices, or creating a work space away from any typical “at home” distractions. Prioritise tasks based on importance and urgency to stay on track and avoid getting overwhelmed by distractions.
Making your home office more productive requires careful attention to design, ergonomic principles and personal wellness. By applying the strategies and insights provided in this guide, you'll be able to cultivate a workspace that not only boosts your productivity but also contributes to your overall well-being and satisfaction. Whether you're a remote employee or a business owner, dedicating resources to optimise your home office configuration is a worthwhile investment in both your professional achievements and your quality of life.
Be sure to check out my range of products, from prints, washi tapes, notepads and more accessories/decor to organise your space and create a bright and homely work environment!