Home offices are an effective way of staying productive when working from home and can also offer tax deductions if used for business.
If you want a home office that fosters productivity, start by clearing away clutter. This will allow you to focus on tasks without distractions. Next, invest in storage solutions for both your desk and other items.
Create a Space You Love to Work In
Many concentration-boosting work practices can be applied at home, including taking regular breaks, making lists and time management. Your environment also plays an important role; staying focused may become challenging in an overcrowded or poorly lit workspace.
Idealy, your workspace should feel distinct from the rest of your home so you can easily switch from “home mode” to work mode. This could involve something as simple as using a screen divider as pinboard or going for something more elaborate like dedicating an entire room for office work.
Make sure you have comfortable seating, such as a chair, ottoman or kitchen stool that allows you to sit upright without back strain. Add personal touches like motivational quotes, gallery walls or plants so that you’ll be inspired each day when heading back into your home office. That way you won’t dread going in!
Invest in the Right Technology
Working from home offers many advantages, including being able to select an ideal space for your office. But it can also be easy to become distracted and forget good working practices if there is no clear delineation between your workspace and other parts of the home.
Even if your office space consists of just a seat in the kitchen, as long as it serves as the primary location of your business, you are eligible to claim your home office deduction. A curtain can help separate this space from other parts of your house while keeping work-related items out of sight – while stylish storage solutions will add the finishing touches and make your room feel like more of an office environment.
Studies have proven that plants and natural elements help increase concentration rates, so make sure you add some greenery to your workspace. Or try adding candles or playing natural sounds as an additional way of increasing mood and focus. This type of design known as biophilic design can also be an excellent way to help stay focused at home.
Add a Touch of Style
No matter if you run your own business from home or simply require a space to complete work-related tasks, a home office should be somewhere you enjoy being. Add personal touches like family photos, art pieces you love, or motivating decor for an environment that feels welcoming and encourages productivity.
Give your home office a fresh, energetic vibe by adding bright green accent walls or plants for an eye-catching touch. Not only can plants add visual interest, they can also improve air quality while helping promote mindfulness and focus.
Set your desk up so it faces a window so you can enjoy natural lighting while working, making transitioning between work mode and home mode simpler. When ready, set your alarm for work – and switch back when done.
Keep It Clean
Home offices that are disorganized can be more than visual distractions – they can interfere with your ability to focus and work efficiently, too. Make time every week to clean and organize your workspace so it doesn’t become an assemblage point for household goods and clutter. A few carefully chosen items, like plants, photos or decorative vase of flowers can create a warm and welcoming space and even boost productivity; one study even found desk plants can help increase concentration rates!
Create an inspiring and welcoming office by adding personal touches such as family photos and artwork from you and other artists to the space, such as family photos or original art from yourself or an inspiring gallery wall. Bring color into the office through colourful storage solutions or bright wall paint colors that help motivate and focus you, such as large mirrors to reflect light around the room or using an attractive dry-erase calendar to keep track of important dates and tasks.
