Whether you’re a seasoned home-worker or a newbie to the scene, creating the right home-office environment is the key to powering your productivity, boosting your mood and keeping you motivated. Here are some things to consider when setting up the perfect work-from-home station.
Check your net
First, start with the basics. The recent world events that have pushed lots of us into home-working (and home-schooling) have shown what happens when too many people log on at home at the same time. If your Wi-Fi’s struggling to keep up, there are some things you can try to improve it. Firstly, run a speed test to identify any weak links in your connection. Your broadband provider will likely have a test you can run and might even provide an automatic fix. You could also try moving your workspace closer to your router. If that’s not possible, then a Wi-Fi route extender might give you the boost you need.
Consider a minimalist approach
A clutter-free workspace is key in making it a nice place to be. Keep only the essentials on your desk − i.e. your laptop, keyboard and mouse, and a printer, magazine file or small floor cabinet if necessary. A wireless keyboard and mouse will further reduce clutter on your desk. Then add something that makes you happy, such as a personal photo, piece of art, scented candle or a succulent terrarium. Try and stick to a paperless work environment as much as possible. Use an online calendar and notes programme and don’t print anything unless you really need to. Scan any documents you need to save and shred and recycle the hard copy.
Get comfortable
It’s worth taking time ensuring that you get the ergonomics of your workstation right. Not only can flimsy chairs or low desks make you feel uncomfortable, they can also lead to things such as repetitive strain injury and back and neck problems over an extended period of time. Your chair and desk set-up should enable you to sit with your feet flat on the floor and your thighs parallel to it. Your eyes should be level with the top third of your screen and your arms should be level or pointing slightly downwards when you’re typing. As you’ll be spending a lot of time in it, a comfortable chair that offers you the right back, thigh and arm support is a worthwhile investment
Max your monitors
A recent study found that adding a second monitor to your workstation can boost productivity by as much as 42% and it’s little wonder. Over the course of a day, constantly flicking from one programme to the next can add up to a lot of minutes and even more over of a week. Investing in a second monitor means you can use one for whatever document you’re working on and the other for internet research, email or any spreadsheets or other documents you need. If you don’t have the ready cash to make such an investment you might have to look into other financing options, but as always, before you go ahead, make sure you’re able to take on the extra financial commitment.
Add some greenery
Not only do houseplants make your working space a nicer place to be and clear the air around you of various nasty chemical compounds (known as VOCs), they also come with extra benefits such as reducing your stress levels, boosting your mood and even increasing productivity. If possible, position your workstation so you have a view of nature, whether that’s in a spare room overlooking some trees or in your kitchen looking out into the garden. And then add some house plants by the side of or in view of your desk. Spider plants, rubber plants and peace lilies are among those that are easy to care for and also offer VOC-cleansing benefits.
Photo by Jess Bailey from Pexels
Philodendron are a great house plant option. There are hundreds of beautiful forms at every price point.
They don’t mind dryinG out a little, they tolerate lower light levels, and as long as You have 40%+ humidity, they’ll thrive