With the shift in working patterns and styles for many over the past year and a half, the concept of working from home has now become something of the norm for office workers up and down the country. And although companies are starting to open up their offices to all employees once again, you may be among those who are seeking a more mixed working pattern, with a few days spent working at home blended with some office days.
After the initial shock of shifting operations to your home, many have realised that there are many benefits to combining at home working with a professional office environment. If you have decided that a new way of working is essential for your company, or perhaps the pandemic has encouraged you to start up your own company, which you are running from your home, a more permanent set up is surely the best thing for you.
In order to be productive at home, you need the right environment to work in and if it’s high time that you created just this type of space, now is the time to start planning. Below, we take a look at all the essentials you need for a productive working space at home.
The right amount of lighting
The importance of having the right amount of lighting in your home office should never be underestimated. Lighting can have a serious effect on your level of energy and productivity, and therefore it is crucial to ensure that the space is well lit with not only plenty of natural light, but also some accent and task lighting, too. Table and floor lamps are a good way bring atmosphere into the room, and it’s always a good idea to consider buying a smart power outlet if you wish to control the lighting in your lamps.
Electronics you can’t live without
It’s pretty impossible, in today’s world, to be able to complete your daily job without the use of a piece of electronic equipment of some sort. Whether it’s a computer, laptop, printer, mobile phone, or all of the above you need, ensuring that you have the right equipment in order to be able to complete you tasks to the highest standard is essential. And making sure that you have enough charge on your devices and available smart plugs to be able work effectively is key in doing your job without the unnecessary interruption of battery drained devices.
A comfortable chair
As anyone who has spent hours working at a desk knows, what goes hand in hand with this style of working is lower back pain. Sitting down for hours on end doesn’t really do us any favours, but those with a desk job have limited options. As well as making sure you stretch and stand up and walk around regularly, having a comfortable working chair is absolutely essential. Stave off back pain by investing in a good quality chair that adjusts to suit your height, desk height and supports your back and shoulders appropriately.
Storage space
A tidy space is a tidy mind, and a freed-up mind is then available to concentrate on the task at hand rather than feeling overwhelmed by a cluttered space. At least that’s the idea. Keep your office tidy by purchasing enough storage space, whether that is in the form of shelving or cabinets, to tidy away any books, paperwork, stationary, equipment and anything else that may distract you from your work.
Other interior essentials
Though this is a practical space, there is no reason that it can’t be a stylish one, too. In fact, if you have a more welcoming space to work in, you are more likely to look forward to heading there to work every time you need to get the hours in. Make your home office personal, comfortable, cosy and stylish by hanging art on the wall, popping a comfy chair or small sofa in the corner for those moments when you need a coffee break, and buying some air-cleaning plants, which are also said to up productivity levels, too.
