As of the beginning of this pandemic, most professionals have had to adapt to remote collaboration at least to an extent. Without office meetings and access to networking events, we have had to make the most of our tools and environments to be as productive as possible until we can go back to our normal work atmosphere. That means that we need to adapt our home office in order to avoid distractions, procrastination, and maximize our efficiency every step of the way.
Sometimes, it boils down to the quality of your internet connection and a trusty laptop at your disposal, but more often than not, we do need other home office essentials to give our best and collaborate with your remote team-mates with ease. Here are a few suggestions to make your home office a more productive, inspiring place for your work hours and to help you enjoy remote work as much as you possibly can!
Choose a good desk and a supportive chair
For people who are new to home-based work, you are likely accustomed to a certain level of comfort at the office, for which your employer is in charge. Now that you’re working from home, you need to take the same precautions in order to keep your back, your neck, and your entire body healthy and properly positioned to prevent aches and pains.
Pick a desk of appropriate height, so that you don’t have to slouch and wreck your posture while sitting and working, especially if you have a creative occupation with a focus on details, such as a graphic designer or architect. Add to that, pick a supportive chair to match your desk, so that you can work with ease and comfort.
Ensure your internet is stable and fast
The main prerequisite for your home office that will enable you to work seamlessly and stay in touch with your team-mates is, of course, your internet connection. To ensure a fast and speedy connection, more home-based workers are choosing internet fiber solutions with a fiber optic connection that ensures stability and speed.
What makes this connection the ideal choice is that it provides a smooth experience for your video calls and presentations, too, so that you can avoid those delays and issues with live collaboration.
Also Read:- What’s the Difference Between Unmetered and Unlimited Bandwidth?
Give your home office a personal touch
In addition to eliminating distractions, you should still do your best to make your home office appealing so that you can look forward to those long Monday morning conference calls and client feedback sessions. You can have a designated coffee mug for your desk, a few photos of your family, and the occasional poster for motivation.
Of course, you can also infuse your little work corner with some color, by adding color-coded filing systems and markers, as well as a funky mouse pad for your computer. Christmas decorations are another great option during the holiday season, so you can give your desk plants a festive look.
Lighting makes all the difference
If you, like most people working from home, have limited office space, you should think about a few key factors when choosing your home office lighting. For starters, go for eye-friendly and eco-friendly LED bulbs that last longer and won’t cause eye strain. Then, think about fixtures that don’t take up too much space on your desk or the surrounding area, but that provide ample light so that you can work with ease.
Consider adding a task light as well, to give you more focus and illuminate your work area in the later hours of the day, when natural light subsides. The key purpose of your home office light is to prevent headaches and other health issues, but rather ensure a safe and comfortable space for you to perform your tasks.
Add some nature to your indoor space
Being indoors for hours on end can bring your mood down, especially during winter when we don’t have enough sunlight to begin with. Plus, when we communicate with our team-mates almost exclusively through digital outlets and the occasional video call, we might feel alienated and secluded from time to time. To create a more appealing, soothing work environment, you can rely on house plants that will improve your air quality as well as the aesthetics of your home office.
Pick low-maintenance plants that won’t become another item on your to-do list, but rather a way to create a calming effect when you work. You can add flowers, as well, for a splash of color, but make sure you pick plants that aren’t allergy-inducing, or toxic to your pets.
Don’t underestimate the power of your home office in your levels of productivity and motivation. While this pandemic is still affecting our work processes, and even if you decide that it’s better for you to keep working remotely after the pandemic ends, these are your go-to essentials to design a home office of your dreams.