In the current pandemic climate, many people have been forced to work from home for an indefinite period. This new arrangement of remote working will be easier for some but not for others, depending on what kind of home setup they have.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to turn your home into an office without compromising your private, liveable space. Below, we explore a few of those tips and tricks.
Aim for Comfort
Comfort probably sounds like an obvious point, but it can easily be overlooked. If you don’t take the time to carve out your working space, the risk is that you simply plop yourself down anywhere in your flat or house. Not only could you end up with a setup that causes backache or sore shoulders, but you may choose areas that have poor light and are open to distractions from other members of your household.
The best thing to do is think about what makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. Then set yourself the task of modifying the space to create a workable area that allows your productivity to flourish. This could include surrounding yourself with comforting objects, adding optimum light fixtures, sitting in your favourite chair, or carving out a place of peace and quiet.
Separate Work and Home
Setting boundaries can be difficult, particularly if you have kids, pets or other housemates. If space is limited, you may need to be creative, but the important thing is that you separate work and home where possible. This means avoiding the temptation to use your bed as an office or sitting in the living room where other people come and go. If you’re looking for creative ideas about transforming a space (no matter how small) into an office area, Forbes has outlined some unique ways of doing this.
Get Creative with Storage
Turning an area of your home into an office may also require creative solutions for storage. Making room for your new work area could involve moving things around and shifting your storage to other places. Generating new storage doesn’t have to cost the earth either; utilising Home Depot coupons can enable you to find a bargain on all kinds of items from shelving, toys and craft storage.
Stay Tidy and Organised
Working from home can result in additional clutter. Depending on what kind of work you’re doing, the temptation to allow objects to gather around can easily grow. To ensure that work doesn’t bleed into your home life, stay organised and make sure you keep a tidy desk. Keep all work-related items in your office area and don’t leave them sitting on the kitchen table or living room sofa. Part of maintaining boundaries and ensuring you feel comfortable in your work and home area is to stay on top of cleanliness and tidiness.
There you have it – a few tips and tricks for setting up your home office without compromising your living area. If working from home is something you’ll be doing for the foreseeable future, the advice able can help you stay productive and creative.
