The desire for flexible working coupled with the pandemic, which ultimately made this a necessity, has left office jobs on the verge of extinction. But despite an increasing number of workers seeking out remote jobs or at least spending a few days working from home each week, is it best for productivity?
While most research points to us being more productive when working from the comfort of our own homes, this data could be skewed by certain employees not wanting to admit the whole truth. In reality, business leaders actually believe their workforce is less productive when they’re out of sight.
If you’re one of those workers who’s been lying to yourself (and your boss) about your work-from-home (WFH) productivity, it may be due to your setup. While working from home is great for work-life balance and balancing your job with the chores of childcare, finding yourself slumped on the sofa for eight hours a day is about as good for productivity as it is for your posture.
If you’re looking to change that and create the ultimate home office to achieve peak productivity, follow the six steps.
Decide on a dedicated space
The first thing to do is dedicate a room in your home to being your workspace. That way, you’ll avoid being caught in the crossfire as the rest of your house goes about their daily business. The worst thing you could do is relegate your home office to the corner of a lounge or share it with a bedroom.
When it comes to deciding which room will be used as a workspace, it entirely depends on what space you have at your disposal. But if you’re clever with your interior design, don’t worry about the size of the room. The smallest room in your house could make the cosiest home office. Alternatively, those who have the luxury of a loft, conservatory or spare bedroom may look to transform these spaces into a more spacious workspace.
We appreciate that not everyone lives in a mansion with oodles of spare space. If you are tight for space and do need to combine your office with another room, including a sofa bed in your office is the best way to create a stylish yet practical home office come guest bedroom that helps you maximise space.
Select your furniture
When it comes to selecting furniture for your workspace, bear in mind just how much time you’re going to be spending in your office. If you have a fully remote, full-time job, you can expect to be spending at least 35 hours in that room. As a result, practical and high-quality furniture should be a priority.
Your office chair especially should be well made and comfortable; you’ll soon regret a chair lacking in back support no matter how stylish it looks! With that said, no matter how comfortable your chair is, sitting for long periods isn’t ideal, and you might want to consider an adjustable desk that can be converted into a standing desk for extra comfort.
If you’ve got the space, add a sofa and cushions to provide a comfortable spot for regular screen breaks. Choosing a sofa and cushions also offers another way for you to add a bit of your own style to the room.
Speaking of your own style, you’ll want to find the right balance between style and functionality when it comes to desks and storage. If your time is mostly spent on calls and meetings,
jacobean-style furniture can give a classic, elegant vibe that may help you get into a more corporate mindset.
Scandinavian contemporary furniture can help to bring a more modern, less formal feel that may be more in line with other rooms in your home which can help you feel like you are still in the comfort of your own home.
Be prepared for all climates
There’s no point in putting your time and money into creating an almighty office if it’s unusable for most of the year. Your office should be prepared for all climates.
If you live in a warm climate, you’ll need to kit your office out with air conditioning. For those based in colder parts of the world, ensure your workspace has a heater or even a fireplace if it fits with the vibe you’re trying to create.
While we’re on the topic of the air in your office and seeing as you’ll be spending long periods in there, explore air purifiers to create the optimal healthy working environment.
Add accessories
Once you’ve sorted the essentials, it’s time to make it YOUR office. This is where you can add little decorative touches in the shape of ornaments and accessories. A quick search for homeware gifts will reveal that you certainly won’t be short of options.
Books are a staple of any office. Whether you’re decorating a coffee table or filling out an office bookcase, they can be a great way to add a touch of sophistication and flair. They also allow you to add a personal touch depending on which books you choose to decorate your room with.
Other accessories that may suit the vibe of your office include objects like globes, egg timers and decorative sculptures.
Artwork
If you’re going to be sitting staring at the same four walls day in and day out, you’ll probably want to make sure they’re not empty! When it comes to decorating your walls, you’ll probably want to find some brain-powering pieces of art.
Adding a few pieces of art can be a great way to help get those creative juices flowing, and this is another way you can bring through your personality. If you’re turning to art for inspiration, the type of art that dons your office walls should also relate to your job and industry.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of options that won’t leave you looking for a debt management plan. If you’re a marketer, you may want to cover your walls with some retro print ads to pay homage to your favourite brands or marketing campaigns. For the designers, you may want to bring some famous artists or a touch of fine art to your walls.
Final touches
The last thing to do is add the final touches to your workspace. These things may not be absolutely necessary but they could make the difference between you staying in the zone and starting to daydream.
Soundproof
Noise from outside your home, or even from the people you live with can be a major distraction when working from home. There’s no point putting time and money into creating the ultimate WFH setup if you’re going to be disturbed by screaming kids and fellow remote workers.
Adding acoustic panels or ceiling tiles is the best way to soundproof your office. But cheaper solutions include adding thicker carpets and sealing any holes in the walls.
Greenery
Whether real or artificial, your office needs some greenery. Plants are proven to reduce stress levels by making your home feel more natural which will help when navigating the pressures of your job.
If you’re prepared to take on the maintenance of real house plants, their benefits will be felt physically too. That’s because plants can improve air quality by removing toxins and acting as an air purifier. Studies also suggest that real plants can sharpen your attention.
Scent
Something that you may not have considered is the scent within your office. The aroma that surrounds you whilst working can actually have drastic implications for your productivity and concentration, and it’s an affordable option for those concerned about daily finances.
A lavender-scented room should help you to stay calm, and just like plants, lavender is proven to help reduce stress and anxiety. Peppermint is another great option for improving performance, its benefits include potentially boosting energy and preventing mental fatigue. If your job involves a lot of multi-tasking, evidence suggests that rosemary-scented fragrances may actually improve memory and cognitive performance.