Over the last six months, we have all learnt that working at home is not all it’s cracked up to be. Having the will power to work and not get distracted is a battle that everyone faces. However, when you get it right, it can be a great way to strike that much-coveted work-life balance.
The benefits of working from home include; saving money on commuting, work wherever you want, and when you need a break, you can take one!
Working at home; where to start?
In order to work at home successfully, there are many things to take into consideration; it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Removing distractions and finding somewhere specifically for work can be challenging. Here are our top tips to help you work from home efficiently.
Pick your Room
Deciding which room to claim as your workspace is the first step —choosing a room will be different for everyone. It depends on how many rooms you have, what size the rooms are and where you have the least distractions. Try to find a bright, quiet room that has space for a desk and seating.
Choose the right decor.
If you are in a room with busy decor and lots of clutter, you will struggle to get focused. Clear the walls, put up some shelves for your paperwork and pick up a calendar to help with the office mindset. Get some plants for a fresh feeling. Shades of blues, greens and yellows are calming and neutral. Redecorating can also make it feel real when you start working at home for the first time!
Storage
Storage can take shape in lots of different forms depending on personal taste. The best way to get organised is to split your things into categories, whether it be in drawers, filing cabinets or boxes. Personalise your space to suit you. Having everything neatly packed and filed ensures that when you finish for the day, you can close the door, zone out, and be at home again. Make sure you keep your work separate from any personal files you may have if your work requires you to have many files and archives you may consider keeping them in storage. We can help with that!
Furnishings
There are hundreds of desks and chairs out there to pick from. The problem is, most of them are designed to be aesthetically pleasing rather than practical. When choosing something you are going to sit at for hours, you need to make sure it is functional. Pick a chair that supports your back, get a desk with plenty of space so you’re not cramped and keep any screens up high, so you’re not looking down all day. Stacking your screen on books or getting a laptop holder is a great way to get into the right position.
When working at home, finding a happy balance of location, decor, and functionality will be different for us all. Try out a few different places and see what works best for you.