Jan 19, 20234 min read

7 Unexpected Ways to Upgrade Your Home Office

While working from home is everyone's desire, it comes with difficulties. If you seldom leave your house and your bed is only a few feet away, it might be hard to mentally shift from "home mode" to "work mode" when you need to be productive at work. How can you expect to get anything done in such a relaxing environment?

Even if you're tempted to turn your sofa into an office and work in your pajamas, taking the time to properly organize your workspace will have a significant impact on your focus, creativity, and overall well-being. Taking your time to find the optimal setup is time well spent if you're working remotely.

It's time to upgrade from our improvised home office. Here are some ways to make your at-home office seem more like a permanent extension of your home.

1. A back-friendly ergonomic chair.

Your back will thank you for investing in an ergonomic chair so you can comfortably sit while working from home all day. Not only is sitting for long periods bad for your health, but it may also cause you to develop bad habits like slouching and a hunched back (like high blood pressure). You might benefit from an ergonomic chair if you often have back, neck, or leg pain at your workplace.

2. Go for a floor that provides enough support.

Solutions include converter kits that allow you to use your desk in sitting or standing positions. You may work at a desk that allows you to alternate between sitting and standing. But what about the ground you're standing on? Desk workers who stand for long periods might benefit from anti-fatigue floor mats by reducing weariness and increasing stability. Many options are available to help you select the perfect size and construction for your at-home workplace. In addition to a rug pad, a thick area rug may provide comfort to your feet. When looking to improve significantly, cork flooring is an excellent option since it is antimicrobial and cushioned, making it ideal for use under a standing desk.

3. Use several light sources and layers.

The lighting in your Zoom conference room may significantly impact your disposition, level of productivity, and appearance. It's not enough to rely on a single overhead light; instead, you should install many lights, each tailored to a different task. Invest in a task light that can be adjusted to fit your workspace. Use a table or floor lamp with a cover or a reflector to provide a soft, even glow throughout the room. Getting a ring light might make you seem more professional on conference calls. Home offices with enough natural light have fewer fatigue, headaches, and eye strain cases.

4. Freshen up your home with some plant life.

There are several benefits to spending time in a home with plants, including an increase in serotonin and a calming of the parasympathetic nervous system. Think about how much exposure your workspace has to outside light. Moderate-light houseplants perform well in rooms with filtered (indirect) sunshine, such as pothos and snake plants. If you take the time to learn how much water your plant requires (an orchid will need far more water than a succulent, for example), you may take advantage of the natural pauses that occur throughout the day when you need to water or tend to your plants.

5. A time-saving, competent helper.

Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant may schedule meetings and appointments, create to-do lists and call logs, and research random facts and definitions. Do you anticipate a call soon? In a few hours, your digital assistant will send you a reminder. Can you come up with a crucial next step when you're in the middle of doing another activity? To avoid forgetting, just tell your smart assistant to make a note and remind you once again in the following several hours. Keeping up with the details while simultaneously striving to accomplish big goals may be a source of stress.

6. Create a personal sanctuary by dividing the room.

With the help of a room divider, you can quickly and easily create a more quiet and private work environment. Make use of a collapsible partition that can be folded up and put away after the workday. Separate the space into two distinct zones with the help of some freestanding bookshelves. Making your workspace more reflective of who you are as an individual is permitted but optional to get consent from management or the building administration. Get personal with your wall decor and hang up some artwork that means something to you. Put yourself in a tropical environment. Put something in your field of vision if looking at it makes you joyful, peaceful, and productive.

Even if you work from home, creating a setting conducive to productivity, relaxing, and reflecting on your unique tastes is crucial. Even if your commute consists of rolling out of bed and into the living room, you may use the items on this list to make your workspace more pleasant.

Your home office should be more than just a place to get work done; it should also be an extension of your personality. Put your own spin on it to spice things up. Personalizing your home office with pictures of loved ones, souvenirs from previous trips, and lovely works of art may help you feel more at ease when working from home.