Whether you've started your own company from home or telecommute, you know that working from home isn't as easy as it's cracked up to be. Space can be tight and distractions may be plentiful, but there are ways to make your days more enjoyable and productive.
Here are eight tips to help make your home office space more comfortable:
1. Invest in a ultra-comfy chair
Be sure to buy an ergonomic desk chair. Don't try to save an extra buck by dragging over a chair from somewhere else in your house or settling for a cheap office chair—you're sitting in that thing all day, and the health risks are real. If there's any comfort expense that's worth it, this is it.
2. Maximize whatever lighting you have
In an optimal situation, you should have plenty of windows and lots of natural light. But if your home office is down in your basement or any other spot that can't get sunlight, try to keep the place bright but not blinding— using both overhead lighting and lamps if possible. A gloomy office isn't going to help your mood any when you sit down in the morning or start to get tired in the afternoon.
3. Keep the room tidy
Clutter takes up space, and you have a limited amount to work with already. Make sure everything is tidy so that you're making most of your space. At the end of the day, just clean up and re-align the things that were moved— don't be lazy.
4. Organize your documents
Organization goes beyond productivity—it helps you be comfortable. There's not much more frustrating than digging through piles of papers looking for one particular document, only to find that it was in another stack altogether. Stay organized with some type of system that is efficient and doesn't take up much space, like filing cabinets.
5. Always keep the room single-purpose
This affects not only your comfort, but productivity and work-life balance as well. Using your home office for other added purpose will only distract you and clutter the space. Keep it dedicated to one thing so that you can optimize every bit of the area for being your office.
6. Make sure the room's temperature fits you
You're the only person in the room, so set whatever temperature makes you feel most comfortable. If you have central air and there are others in the house that would protest, get a fan, heater, or portable air conditioner (if you have a window) that will let you adjust the temperature to your own comfort level.
7. Tie up all the wiring
Wires can get out of control fast, so don't slouch them. If you tie them up or use products that help arrange and organize your wires, it will save you a lot of hassle and frustration untangling and tripping over them every day.
8. Personalize the decor
It's your space in your home—so you should easily be able to make it happen. Having an office that fits your personality can help exponentially. Decorate the room with whatever makes you feel content—whether that means a bobblehead next to your monitor, surreal paintings on the walls, or a tall cactus in the corner.
