Many of us were thrust into working from home so quickly that we suddenly found ourselves setting up a makeshift desk on our dining tables, sitting on an uncomfortable dining room chair or working at our kitchen island bench. As time went by, this became the norm and you might have noticed you never actually took the time to create a comfortable, productive and ergonomically friendly home office for yourself. Well, now’s the time!
If you work from home, it’s important to create a well-structured and organised office space that allows you to thrive in your everyday work. In the points below, we’ll share some tips on how to improve your home office setup – from obvious stuff like “buy ergonomic office chairs” to implementing interior design techniques involving focal points and artwork.
Follow these simple tips and you’ll be able to increase your productivity and feel more comfortable while you work!
1. Make sure your desk is in a comfortable and ergonomic position
This means that your computer screen should be at eye level, and your keyboard and mouse should be within easy reach. If you’re not sure how to set up your desk ergonomically, there are plenty of online guides or you can ask a professional for help. Once you have your desk in the right position, it’s important to also make sure that your chair is comfortable and at the right height.
Investing in a good quality, ergonomic office chair is worth its weight in gold – you’ll be sitting in it for hours every day, so it’s important to find one that supports your back and spine correctly. If you can, try to find a chair with adjustable lumbar support, as this will help to prevent back pain.
If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of ways to make your existing chair more comfortable – from adding a pillow for lumbar support to using a footrest if your feet don’t reach the ground. Just make sure that you’re not slouching in your chair, as this can cause neck and shoulder pain.
2. Use natural light as much as possible to reduce eye strain
If you have a window in your home office, make sure to take advantage of it! Natural light is not only more aesthetically pleasing, but it can also help to reduce eye strain. If possible, position your desk so that you’re facing the window – this way, you won’t have to squint to see your computer screen.
If you don’t have a window in your office, or if the natural light isn’t very good, you can invest in a quality desk lamp. Make sure to get one with an LED bulb, as these emit less blue light than traditional bulbs and won’t cause as much strain on your eyes.
3. Get organised with storage solutions like file cabinets and shelves
If your home office is cluttered and disorganised, it can be really tough to stay focused and productive. Investing in some storage solutions – like a filing cabinet, shelving unit or even just some simple boxes – can make a world of difference. Not only will everything have its own place, but you’ll also be able to find things more easily when you need them.
If you don’t have a lot of space in your office, try to find storage solutions that double as decoration. For example, instead of a boring filing cabinet, go for something with pretty drawers or an interesting design. Or, if you’re using boxes to store things away, opt for clear boxes so you can see what’s inside without having to open them up.
4. Create a focal point in the room with an interesting piece of art or furniture
One of the most important aspects of interior design is creating a focal point in each room. This is an area that your eye is naturally drawn to when you enter the room, and it’s a great way to add interest and personality to your space. In a home office, a focal point could be anything from a statement item of furniture to a piece of art on the wall.
If you don’t have anything that immediately jumps out as a focal point, try rearranging your furniture or adding some new decor items to the room. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of trial and error to find the perfect spot for your focal point.
5. Add plants for freshness and to help purify the air
Finally, one of the best ways to improve your home office setup is to add some plants! Not only do they look great, but they can also help to purify the air and make the room feel fresher and more inviting. If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry – there are plenty of easy-to-care-for plants that are perfect for beginners.
Some of our favourites include succulents, snake plants and pothos – all of which are known for being low maintenance. If you want something a little more fun, try adding a terrarium or an aquarium to your office – this is a great way to add some extra personality to the space.
So there you have it. By following these tips, you can create a space that is both comfortable and stylish – and that will help you to be more productive.