Only about 32% of employees feel engaged in their work, according to Positive Psychology. If you feel unengaged as a remote employee, try improving your workspace. Individuals who work from home control every aspect of their office, so make yours work for you and provide an area that gets you excited to tackle the workday.
Creating an Ideal Work From Home Office
Although every person differs in their likes and dislikes, a few things that make a good home office apply to everyone. Location tops the list, so pick a room in your home that’s large enough for what you need to do. If you don’t handle distractions well or require silence for your job, choose a room far away from other family members.
Customize your office to create a space you want to spend time in by painting it your favorite color. A well-done paint job lasts between 10 and 15 years, according to Forbes. Avoid office-like colors like beige unless you really love them. Instead, choose colors that speak to you. If you want a purple office, go for it.
Finding Furnishings That Work
Skip the typical office furnishings and go for a desk, chair, and credenza you love. Match your furniture to the decor of the rest of your home. Don’t sacrifice form for function, though. You need furniture that does the job of organizing your files, computer, printer, and more.
Opting for Long-Lasting Technology
Some technology has a short lifespan, such as printers, which typically last between three and five years, according to LD Products. Build a custom computer to help it last longer. Choose a tower, processor, motherboard, and battery. The motherboard should include expansion slots so you can add memory as needed. Doing this lets you add speed and storage for less than $100, a much lower cost than replacing your computer every two or three years.
Organizing Everything
Provide yourself with ample storage space by installing shelving above and around your desk. This helps you extend the usefulness of a small space. Design your office using a similar technique to the one that chefs use in designing their kitchens. Create a workspace in a triangular shape that lets you easily pivot to reach anything you need.
Choosing Fun Desk Accessories
Themed desk accessories can make work more fun. Kids light up at having desk accessories in fun themes designed around their favorite toy brands. It gets them to enjoy time at their study desk. Adults think the same way, but with different themes. Choose floral, camouflage, or animal-themed accessories, such as pens, pads of paper, staplers, etc.
Setting Aside a Meeting Area
Even if you don’t have clients physically meet with you in your home office, set aside a space for a loveseat or conversational chairs and a table. When you video chat with clients or coworkers, sit in this space to make them feel more like they’re visiting your office and to shift your mindset into collaboration mode. You can use this on your own, too, as a thinking area or to take breaks.
Focusing on the Little Things
Decorate your walls with artwork that resounds with you. It doesn’t have to include a professional theme, but it helps if it frees your imagination. What you look at all day long should help you concentrate on your work and lead you to envision better ideas for your projects.
Each person’s perfect home office should work for that individual, so design yours with yourself in mind. What works for someone else may not work for you. Instead of sitting on the living room couch with your laptop or at the kitchen table, create a workspace that’s all your own. By keeping the above tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to having the office of your dreams!
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