How to Make Your Home Office a More Productive Space

If working from home has become a regular part of your routine, you’ve probably noticed that it’s all too easy to get distracted. In most cases, feeling a drop in productivity while working remotely is a result of there not being enough of a boundary between your workspace and your personal or family space. Luckily, there are several things you can do to make your home office a more dedicated and less distracting space. By adding a new standing desk, organizing your papers, and adding a houseplant or two, you can also make this space healthier. 

In this article, we’ll look at some of the easiest ways to make your home office a more productive space and identify a few simple upgrades you can make to ensure you’re feeling better about working from home regularly. An increasing number of employers are offering hybrid schedules and fully remote positions, which means it is more important than ever to ensure your home office is comfortable and supportive of your work.

Disconnecting Your Office Space

To start transforming your home office into a more efficient workspace, you’ll need to think about its location in relation to the rest of your home. If your office is too close to the throughways in your house, the noise might be disruptive. If your office doesn’t have its own door or can’t otherwise be divided from your living spaces, you want to consider relocating to a more quiet area of the house (if possible). Ideally, your home office is a space that’s purely dedicated to working, which means it’s isolated from the rest of the house. You’ll also want to make it clear to other people in your home when it’s a good time to pay a visit and when it’s best to wait a bit.

Declutter as Much as Possible

Now that you’ve selected a dedicated space for your home office, you’ll need to clear out as much of the clutter as possible. Excess papers, electronics, and cords can get in the way of your office feeling like a space where you feel comfortable spending eight hours of your day. 

Coffee cups, knick-knacks, books, and other items that aren’t directly tied to your work should be removed from the office, or at the least from the desk area. It might seem obvious, but the organization is key to your success when you’re working remotely. Don’t forget to clean out the files on your computer as well- too much clutter on your desktop can also make your daily processes less efficient.

Infographic Provided By Energy Pricing, a leading competitor in electric rates in Pennsylvania

Invest in a Standing Desk 

An electric standing desk is a fantastic addition to your home office, allowing your space to feel more flexible, comfortable, and efficient. Most standing desks offer easy-to-use settings through an electronic control panel, which means you can switch the desk between standing and sitting heights with the touch of a button. Just two hours a day of working while standing can significantly improve cardiovascular health and reduce your risk for heart disease. To make working while standing more comfortable, you may also want to consider adding a standing desk mat– many companies that offer standing desks often pair these items.

Make it Easy to Take a Break

When you’re working from home, getting up from your desk to take a few fifteen-minute breaks throughout the day can actually make you more productive, despite costing a little bit of your time. As a result, you may want to consider making your space more conducive to taking these breaks. Light exercise equipment is a great place to start, but a book or coffee and tea kettle might not be a bad option either, depending on how much space you have. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to give your eyes a break from staring at a screen for several hours in a row.

Add House Plants and Natural Light Where Possible

House plants are a great way to make your space feel relaxing yet more professional at the same time. They also offer the benefits of oxygenating your space, allowing the room to breathe and carry a more natural atmosphere. Increasing the amount of natural light may also be beneficial for your office, making it feel more spacious and energizing. While you probably can’t make a dramatic change that increases the natural light in your space, it’s at least a reminder to open the curtains and blinds.

Improve the Acoustics of Your Space

If you’re hearing noises coming from the next room over, or the street outside your home is too noisy, you might want to consider switching up the acoustics of your space. Sound dampening wall panels, made from either felt or foam, help to make your space more calming and comfortable without adding too much clutter. If your office carries an echo, you might also want to consider these installations. 

Don’t Overlook the Ergonomics

The ergonomics of your desk, chair, keyboard, and computer monitor can all play a role in making your space more conducive to staying productive. Your computer monitor should be at eye level- you shouldn’t have to look down at your screen. In addition, you might want to consider upgrading your desk chair so that it better supports your back by looking at quality office chairs in Adelaide. You might be surprised by what kind of impact upgrading your office’s ergonomics can have on your ability to get things done.

Conclusion- How to Make Your Home Office a More Productive Space

If working from home has become a regular part of your routine, it’s a good idea to consider how you can make this space more supportive of staying productive and efficient. Decluttering your desk, investing in a standing desk, and improving the acoustics of your room can all make your space more productive.