How To Setup Your Home To Be More Productive

Working from home sounds like a good idea on paper. You can attend Skype meetings in pyjamas; you can have your cat nearby; and you can play any music you like.

But, working from home can also kill your productivity. It can be a challenge to be on top of your game when you have so many distractions around.

I do need ideas as to how to improve my productivity @ home.

So, here are these tips to create a good home office :

1. Find a good location

If you have a spare room, turn it into a dedicated office. But if you have a very limited space, find any corner with the least foot traffic.

Above: Even the back of your bed can be used as an office. Design by Team BJ Design. Source

2. Add proper furnishing

Invest on a good desk and chair that is meant for serious work. Don’t just settle with a plastic stool and meja lipat that you have spare in the storeroom. If there’s a window (which is great for natural lighting and ventilation), make sure there’s a curtain there to avoid glare during the day. You should also consider painting the wall around your workstation with colours that promote productivity and positivity like blue and green.

Build by LNNS Construction and Renovation. Source

3. Keep it cool

Make sure your workstation or home office is well ventilated throughout the day. You can either install a split unit air conditioner or a ceiling fan to ensure you are comfortable while doing your work. Every once in a while, open the window to let some fresh air in. Now that’s something that you could never do when you are working at a regular office.

Above: Adding a cosy work area. Design by NL Innovations. Source

4. Reduce noise

If possible, try to eliminate as much noise as possible. This includes the sound of people walking in the corridor and the voices of your kids screaming. You can insulate the small gap under the door and around the window with rubber seals or strips. Alternatively, using a much thicker and heavier curtain would do the trick too.

Above: Curtains and wallpaper to dampen the noise. Design by QM Design. Source

5. Install lots and lots of plug points

A decent home office may need at least six plug points on the wall for the work lamp, phone charger, computer, speakers, printer and more.

Some might prefer to just use the extension cables and three-way adapters for the appliances that they seldom use. But it is just much safer if you have a professional electrician to install additional plug points on the wall.

Above: Desk-level plug points. Photo by Victorix Interior Design. Source

6. Subscribe to a fast broadband service

There are a lot of business-class broadband plans available throughout the country such as UniFi, Maxis Broadband, Streamyx and YES. Usually, there is a minimum subscription contract of one year or two years. It is quite a long-term commitment, but worth every cent.

Be In Design Solutions. Source

7. Avoid Ergonomic Mistakes

Do you always get muscle aches around your shoulder? That is the result of hunching down at the computer for too long and unergonomic sitting posture. You can either buy a desk that is suitable for your height or simply order custom built-in desk for your home office.

Also, remember to take a break in between your work and follow the 52/17 rule.

Design by Clover Buildcon. Source

8. Have plenty of storage space

Make sure your workstation has a lot of open shelves to keep the books and files, locked drawers to keep the confidential documents. Every now and then, declutter your desk and stow away all the documents and books that you no longer need. This will keep your home organized, neat and tidy, just like how your mama wants it to be.

Build by Ninety One Design & Build. Source

  

9. Ensure good lighting

Make sure your office is well lit with ambient lighting. You may also add a task light just above your desk to further illuminate the area. This is especially important if your workstation doesn’t have a large window or sliding door for the natural light to shine through.

(Read more: Six Ways to Light Every Room in Your House)

Neo In Design. Source

10. Inject your personality

Finally, you should add a little bit of your character to the area. If you love to travel, hang a framed world map to reflect your personality or if you love action figures, order a custom glass cabinet to display your collection.

I think that’s all that you need to know about designing your very own home office. It can take up a whole room or simply a small area under the stairs. But most importantly, it should be a design that enhances work productivity.

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Rawlins GLAM
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