7 ways to turn your home office hell into a haven.
We’ve all worked from hot desks, perched on a lunchroom table or joined a project team who have commandeered a meeting room. Some people may have had their own office back in the day.
Now, we prefer to work from home, at least some of the time.
Trying to squeeze a proper work desk into a space that’s not designed for one can be stressful. If you’re going to WFH in the future, why not critically examine your space and find a few ways to make it truly your own.
Take this opportunity to ask yourself some important questions about the way that you like to work.
“What about your SOUL?
How does your work-space make you feel?”
Here are 7 ways to turn your home office hell into a haven.
1 - CHOOSE THE BEST LOCATION
Working out of two or three separate areas of the home is fun for a while, but can be far less productive than working from one dedicated space. So way up your options.
Can you ‘borrow’ unused space somewhere? Take over an entire unused room, use some dead space in a corner of your living room or even build a separate structure outside. The dining room or a spare bedroom are the easiest rooms to convert into a home office if they’re rarely used. Having a door that closes will help you to ignore distractions like the kitchen, laundry, and the TV.
Find a spot that fits your “stuff”. You need enough space for your style of working. Consider how cables for an internet connection and power supply will run especially if you need multiple monitors and a printer.
2 - FIND OR CREATE A VIEW
Take up some space near a window or somewhere with natural light. If that can’t happen, hang a mirror to bounce light around or reflect an interesting view.
Hang some art and bring in a plant or two. Plants create a feeling of well-being, reduce stress and improve air quality.
Some of us don’t like having our back to the room so you can try facing your desk into the room instead of facing a wall. Having something interesting to look at can feel more calming as well as making you feel less vulnerable.
3 - THINK OF THE EASIEST OPTION FIRST
Creating a functional space doesn’t have to cost a bomb. Recycle or repurpose furniture you already have or find second-hand pieces online that you can update with a coat of paint. If you have a laptop and wireless connection, the fit-out can be as simple as a desk, chair and overhead shelf.
4 -ADD COLOUR
Paint a wall or a piece of furniture using colours from nature. Adding some colour is the easiest way to inspire your mood.
Blue boosts creativity
Red encourages attention to detail
Yellow makes you happy
Green encourages the imagination
5 - LIGHT THE SPACE LIKE AN OFFICE
During the day a desk with plenty of natural light is always the best choice for your wellbeing. Sunlight will lighten your mood, so position your desk near a window if you can.
For dark days and working in the evening, choose an LED lamp with a cool white or daylight coloured globe. Working under this blue spectra will keep you wakeful, productive, attentive, and improve your mood.
6 - CHOOSE FUNCTIONAL AND STYLISH STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Keep organised. If you can clear your desk surface at the end of a work-day you’ll be more able to separate work-time from home-time. Open shelving with baskets is an option or a set of drawers.
Get only the stationery that you need. Try not to accumulate junk that you never use.
7 - ADD PERSONALITY
You’re not in a corporate office now, so be YOU.
That stuffed elephant from Chiang Mai might be exactly what you need to remind you about work-life balance!