How to Work Productively at Home

For many, working from home has become the norm. For others, it’s an attractive idea. Whether you work from home because you’re self-employed, your company has gone remote, or you are just considering it, investing in your home office setup is worthwhile. It is a sure way to help you be more productive.

Common Home Office Mistakes

Avoid the Kitchen: At first, working from the kitchen table may be convenient (especially when it comes to coffee refills), but it’s not a permanent solution for many workers. Common spaces in the home tend to come with traffic and distractions. They also often aren’t ergonomically supportive.

Distractions: Many people think that they’ll be able to tune out distractions like a television or their children bouncing around in the next-door playroom. Studies indicate that multi-tasking is a myth and our brains cannot simultaneously do multiple things. It’s best to remove all distractions and set aside short break periods.

Starting the Workday Late: Working from home allows you to sleep in and accomplish tasks at your own pace. However, getting a late start to the day may result in working through dinner or into the evening. To maximize productivity, wake up early and start work as soon as possible.

Never Leaving the House: When you don’t have to commute to work everyday, you may find yourself not going outside as often as you normally would. Consider changing up your work environment a few days a week by going to a coffee shop, library, or working outside when the weather is nice.

Home Office Design Tips

Whether you have a dedicated office in your home, or you’re restricted with limited space, it’s important to maintain comfort and functionality to create a productive working environment.

Choose the Right Location: Avoid imprisoning yourself in a windowless and rarely-used guest room. Ensure your office has plenty of light to reduce eye strain and headaches. Also consider traffic flow throughout the house and your ability to handle interruptions.

Find Furniture that Fits: Start by measuring the room and envisioning how you want the space to look. Our space planning team can assist you with this process to make it easier and less stressful. If you’re dealing with a smaller area, consider getting creative and adding a desk in a nook in the living room, or check out Source’s compact desks.

Invest in a Quality Chair and Desk: When you spend all day at your desk, you’ll want a comfortable ergonomic chair. Height-adjustable desks are modern and feature clean lines so they can easily complement your existing home décor. If you’re looking for a more traditional feel, choose from multiple sizes and colours of computer desks.

Organize Vertically and Horizontally: Keep your desk clutter-free to maximize productivity. Consider incorporating floating shelves or desk organizers. Mobile pedestals are another great option because they fit easily under most work surfaces. If you have a large office area, consider adding bookshelves and storage. These items provide additional space for storing work documents and displaying decorative items. They also enhance your room’s aesthetic.

Incorporate Colour: Invigorating colours, such as bright orange, red, or green can spark creativity and motivate you. Calming shades like blue or lavender work well for those who need a peaceful environment.

Source Office Furnishings looks forward to helping you retrofit or reconfigure your office. For more information on our products, or for personalized assistance in updating your office layout, request a consultation with our office space planning professionals. We’re ready to help your business position itself to succeed!