With the pandemic, there is a good chance your work arrangements do not look the same as they used to. Maybe you have adjusted or maybe, like a large sum of us, you are looking for a way to make your home office more productive and comfortable.
Luckily for you, home expert Catherine Galvin helped us made a guide for you to recreate your home office to something you will be motivated to get to work in!
• One of the most important things about having a productive workspace is having a room that can be used as a quiet, calm setting. Whether it is your bedroom, the attic, basement, it can be really anywhere as long as there is minimal noise and you feel safe in it. This is essential because working is never going to work in a space that is noisy or distracting.
• A desk, obviously! You can get one from Amazon, Walmart, or even Facebook Marketplace. It doesn’t really matter the price as long as it is comfortable and works well.
• With the desk, make sure you get a desk chair that is comfortable and fits you perfectly, since you will be sitting there often.
• Depending on the type of work you do, you should probably invest in a printer/copier. If you weren’t provided with or already have a laptop or desktop, make sure you get one that supports your needs.
• Depending on your preferences you might want to get a mouse, keyboard, and noise-cancelling headphones that are comfortable for you as well.
• You will probably want to get a power strip as well, so you won’t be stressing about where to plug everything in at.
• Might as well get a lamp that fits your style to plug into that power strip as well! Lamps help brighten the room and increase productivity. Whether it’s on your desk or a floor lamp, they will help your room and your mindset.
• Depending on the type of work you do, you might also need a paper shredder. This can ensure your confidential work stays private.
• For the purposes of organization, get a file organizer. It can be large or small, but it will keep you organized, and you will know where all your important documents are.
• All the little things matter. Here is a little list of stationary items that will ensure you have everything you need: printer paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, stapler, staples, staple remover, highlighter, binders or folders, scissors, paper clips, and post-it notes. Of course, most of this could just be laying around your house or can be replaced with online products, such as Microsoft Word and Post-It Notes on your computer, but it may help you to have these physical objects bought specifically for your productivity. That is a personal choice, though.
Now that we’ve covered all the essentials, let’s talk about things that will help with your mental health.
There are things that are not necessarily essential but could help with your overall productivity and motivation. Here are some things that may help you mentally:
• Being in a room all day is not fun, so you might as well make the room one you want to be in. If the room is a dull grey or blue, paint it something energizing. Try a bright yellow or look up cool designs that will keep you excited to get to work each day.
• Think about your hobbies. Do you love listening to music while you work? Invest in some speakers. Do you love to stay active? Get a treadmill to put in there, so you never get antsy and need to decrease your productivity. This office is entirely your own, so you can treat it that way. Organize it, personalize it, decorate it however you want.
• Get plants! Alive or fake, plants are proven to make the room feel more alive and interesting. Who doesn’t love plants anyway?
• If you need coffee, invest in a personal coffee station. All you need is a side table, a coffee maker, and all your coffee essentials. While you’re at it, you could also get a mini fridge to store all your creamers or waters. Honestly, you could probably add a microwave or toaster oven too, but we might be getting a little bit carried away.
• Decorations make everything better. Whether it’s pieces of art that inspires you or a beautiful white rug that you couldn’t trust in the living room, decorate this room to inspire you. Make it your own!
If you’re not sure where to start, make a Pinterest board and look through all the amazing ideas they have on there for at home office spaces. There are even DIY ideas so you can do these ideas cheaply. The most important thing is to make this area as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. These times don’t have to be dull, brighten up your home office and make it something that you will be excited to work in.
Working from home doesn’t have to be dull and depressing. It has been a rough transition, but if you make these changes to create the most stimulating room as you can then you will exceed expectations. These changes will create a more energizing and worthwhile environment to make your home office your favorite room in your house!
