Whether you were working from home before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic or if you’re new to the lifestyle, one thing is for sure: You need a comfortable setup office. Having your own space to work is essential to your productivity and your work-at-home satisfaction level.
The Pandemic has led to the rise of work-from-home employees and the need for home offices. Any equipment, furniture, and even home improvement deemed necessary for work can be filed under home office tax deduction. After all, you don’t want your work-life bleeding into your personal time because that would mean you never leave work. And that will undoubtedly lead to burnout.
To create separation, you want to build a place where you can work but leave behind at the end of the day. That can be tricky when you have limited space. But even if you don’t have an entire room, you can call your office; you can still set up an area to complete your job.
Pick Your Space
Before setting up your office, you have to pick a space in your home where you would like to do your work. We’ve already mentioned that you don’t want your work to bleed into everyday life, so keep that in mind when you choose an area. Be sure you get plenty of light with access to a window for some fresh air and that it is someplace in your home that’s easy to access.
For instance, if you have a two-story house, do you want to climb the stairs to work? If not, choose a place on the main level. On the other hand, if you’re going to climb the stairs to work on your next big project, like your helpful guide for how to create online training, and count that trip toward your exercise for the day, maybe you want to pick a room upstairs. It’s up to you. The point is to make a choice and that it doesn’t have to be permanent. If your office location isn’t working, you can always change it at a later date.
Also read: 6 Tools That will Help to Boost Your Startup Productivity
Choosing Furniture
At the very least, you need a place to sit and a table or desk on which to complete your work. Your setup doesn’t have to be fancy, but a comfortable chair that will support you sitting for some time and a surface that will hold your computer, keyboard, and other work materials is a must. You don’t want your area cramped or your seating uncomfortable, or it will discourage you from working.
If you entertain clients in your home office, obviously you’ll need a seating area as well. But if you’re the only one working there, keep your furniture choices comfortable but simple.
The Perfect Lighting
Nothing is worse than trying to work in poor lighting. Doing so is bad for your eyes and likely to lead to mistakes and headaches. So, in addition to positioning yourself near a window, choose at least one good lamp that will give you adequate lighting during your workday. You’ll probably want one on your desk with another overhead or a floor lamp somewhere else in the room that can cascade light throughout. At times you’ll need the extra lighting, while at other times, a lamp might be sufficient.
Pop of Color
You don’t want your office area to be dull and drab because that could affect your mood and productivity. And while studies show that color can profoundly affect emotion, the choice is up to you. In general, you want a bright color that will lift your spirits. So, think about your different color choices and spend time in rooms of the colors you’re considering, if possible. See how they affect your overall mood and go from there. Remember, paint is the cheapest way to change a space, so you can always try something new if you don’t like it.
The point is to make your space the best and most comfortable place for you to get your work done pleasantly and leave it behind when the workday is over.
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