When it comes to working or studying from home, a home office can prove to be an invaluable space to depend on. Creating your own personal area away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the home is important in drawing the line between your personal and professional life, enabling you to become more productive and efficient during your working hours, and to switch off and relax when the working day is finished.
Creating a healthy home office does not need to be expensive or complicated. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Keep it ergonomic
Sitting at a desk for prolonged periods can take its toll on your body, mind and overall health in general. Investing in fully adjustable posture seating allows you to change the height of your seat, the tilt of your back rest or the position of your chair’s arms to suit your own personal build. Ensuring your feet can rest firmly on the floor will help to improve your seated posture. If your height doesn’t make this possible, use a footrest. You should also keep your computer screen at a height that is slightly lower than your eyeline to reduce eye strain.
Keep it light
Utilise natural daylight wherever possible. Position your desk near a window but preferably so that your computer screen will avoid the glare of sunlight directly on the screen which will make viewing a strain and working difficult.
If natural daylight is limited, adding task lighting in the form of artificial daylight lamps or overhead lights can make all the difference.
Keep it green
Adding natural greenery in the form of a houseplant is beneficial to your health whatever room you are in and the home office is no exception. Even a small pot plant on the corner of your desk or windowsill can improve the atmosphere and your overall mental well-being. Worried you won’t remember to water them regularly? Then opt for a few cacti!
Keep it organised
You have probably heard the saying that a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind, so it’s time to start clearing the clutter for optimum productivity and clarity. Adding adequate storage for your needs is an important element when designing your office space. Incorporate plenty of shelving, a filing cabinet and some drawers for your books, files and stationery supplies, keeping your desk clear of that ever-increasing mountain of notes, pens and goodness-what-else once and for all!
Keep it stocked
There are few things more stressful than needing to print off an important document with a looming deadline and finding your printer ink has run out. Keep your basic supplies of stationery including printer ink, books, pads and pens well stocked at all times, regularly checking for depleting levels so you can top them up well before they are needed.
