Improved productivity, work-life balance, and reduced overhead costs – working from home brings numerous benefits. But setting up a home office is not as easy as it sounds.
You might have come across numerous articles offering tips and suggestions to make the space comfortable and productive, but what about the things you're not supposed to do?
Let's look at five mistakes you need to avoid when setting up a home office:
1. Lack of Dedicated Space
Write this down: Your kitchen table cannot be your workspace. Concentrating becomes super hard when you have kids running around or people coming into the kitchen to make a sandwich. This is why it is important to designate a specific area for work.
Turning your family room into a home office blurs the line between professional and personal life. Your workspace should be located away from noise and other distractions.
Pro tip: If you don't have a spare room, turn your guest bedroom into a home office. You'll only need to vacate it a few times a year.
2. Ignoring Ergonomics
Ergonomics is an important part of the workspace, be it on-site or remote. Just as you need a comfortable chair in the office, use one when working from home, too.
An ergonomic chair is designed to adapt to your body shape and provide lumbar support so you can work long hours. It also has comfortable armrests and a seat adjustability feature so your feet stay flat on the floor.
Experts also recommend a sit-stand desk. It promotes movement and can help alleviate some stress associated with prolonged sitting. This will help you avoid long-term back problems.
3. Inadequate Natural Light
Inadequate or flickering lighting makes your eye muscles work harder than usual. As a result, you might experience eye strain and blurred vision.
Make sure your home office gets sufficient natural light. Daily exposure to natural light will help regulate your body's circadian rhythm.
If opening the windows isn't practical, opt for sheer or light-weight blinds. Blinds Chicago are made from high-quality materials and are easy to clean.
4. Too Much Furniture
We get it – designing and setting up a home office is exciting. But the room doesn't need three office chairs, a conference table, and four cabinets. Filling every nook and cranny with furniture can make the room appear small and congested. This is especially true when you have a small room.
Our advice? Opt for multi-functional and space-saving furniture. This includes:
- A wall-mounted shelf
- A foldable desk
- A desk with storage drawers
5. Ignoring Ventilation and Air Quality
Proper ventilation and good air quality can boost your productivity. People spend thousands of dollars on furniture and wall treatments, but forget about ventilation. The entire space feels suffocating and downright uncomfortable.
Do the following to maintain proper airflow:
- Open windows to let fresh air in
- Turn on the exhaust fan
- Use air purifiers
- Replace HVAC air filters periodically
- Add indoor plants
Don't let dust and other contaminants accumulate, as they can worsen allergies and lead to respiratory problems.
