Most people who have transitioned to a home office will admit that there is a mindset shift that takes place. We never really design our homes to be productive spaces in a work sense, and so we can’t expect to be work-ready without some changes. Creating a dedicated work environment will go a long way in supporting this transition and allowing you to compartmentalize work to that area so you can get back to enjoying home when the workday is done. If your current homework space is lacking structure and inspiration then don’t fret – we have you covered!
Ergonomic desks
An ergonomic workstation might have seemed flash in years gone by, but now it is very much the standard. Just because you are at home does not mean you work from the couch (or the bed) – hold yourself to a higher standard to protect your body. We seek endless inspiration from the range of standing desks at https://standdesk.com.au, so check out their website if you need a quality desk that can effortlessly integrate into your home. If you are choosing to sit also, then equip your workspace with a chair that is both comfortable and supportive. You can also find laptop and monitor stands that have great flexibility to move at an eye level that is best for you.
Single-use space
We don’t all have the luxury of a dedicated study from which to conduct work, but try your best to ensure that where you work is dedicated to only work. If your table is littered with washing that needs to be folded, kids’ homework, and anything else that appears in every room, you are going to deteriorate that perception of ‘work time’. Your craft deserves its own space where you can be strategic, creative, and productive. You also don’t want to have to set up your workstation every morning before your first meeting as this will be tiresome and you will eventually stop making an effort. You might need to search for the right spot that is going to remain untouched.
Capitalize on natural light
Most commercial offices will have a natural light source, whether you notice it or not. This is really going to be helpful at home and be good for your eyes to not be fixated on only screens. You also want to be inspired and connected to the world outside and know what the elements are doing, as we know natural light can be linked to mood uplift. You might not think this is a pertinent work condition, but imagine how claustrophobic it would feel to work in a movie theatre with only artificial light and no connection to the outdoors.
Make it personal
Now that you have the essentials covered, you can start to make your workspace a little more personal. Maybe this is a succulent or two next to your monitor, an art print above your eye line, or even some nice stationery that makes you feel inspired about work. The rationale here is that you want to design a space that feels comfortable to be in, without just feeling like a corner of the house where you spend the day working. If you want to take this a step further, you can even create a vision board that captures things that make you excited and reinforce why you work. Vision boards can be incredibly motivating.
Working from home truly is the future, and so it is critical that you set up your home workspace accordingly. Invest in function first with a quality standing desk and chair and then set about creating a space that reflects who you are and your unique motivations.
