Ideally, work should be done in the office but the reality is that more and more people are working from home due to different factors. For example, some people are unable to commute due to health reasons, while others live far away from the office.
But most homes are not conducive to work. The same environment dedicated to relaxation and leisure is now expected to accommodate both work and leisure activities. To make your home more conducive to work, here are a few tips.
Automate
Imagine being in the middle of a conference call and having to stand up to turn off the lights or adjust the temperature.
When it comes to creating a conducive home office, home control automation makes mundane tasks easier and more efficient. With the advancement of technology, there are many ways to automate your home. You can install smart light bulbs that you control from your phone, set up automated thermostats and window blinds to regulate the temperature, or even add voice recognition technology like Alexa or Siri.
You can control your environment without having to break away from your work.
Declutter
Do you have papers scattered around, cords tangled up, and random objects out of place? A cluttered workspace can be distracting, overwhelming your mind with unnecessary information.
The first step to decluttering is to get rid of unnecessary items that aren’t related to work – anything that you don’t need daily. Once you’ve removed the unnecessary items, create designated areas for the rest. This could mean organizing your wires in one section of the desk, books, and documents in another, or using drawers to separate items.
Establish Boundaries
If you share your home with other people, it’s important to establish boundaries. This means communicating to family or roommates that when you are in the office, you are unavailable for conversations or any other type of interruption.
Consider creating physical boundaries by putting up a room divider or closing your door while you work. This way, your office space is physically separated from the rest of the house and it becomes easier for everyone to understand that you are in work mode.
Choose the Right Furniture
Sofas and coffee tables are not the ideal pieces of furniture for working. It’s important to have comfortable and ergonomic furniture that supports your body while you work. Otherwise, some possible health problems include joint and muscle pain, headaches, and fatigue.
A standing desk is ideal if you want to avoid sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long. If you prefer sitting, look for an ergonomic chair with adjustable height and back support.
Working from home can be difficult, especially if your home environment isn’t conducive to work. But by following the tips above, you can create a workspace that is both comfortable and productive. Automate mundane tasks, declutter your space, establish boundaries, and choose the right furniture to get the most out of your home.