If you work remotely, you’ll understand the struggle of trying to stay focused in a space where you normally eat in and sleep in. It can be hard to separate your home life from your work life, which is why physical boundaries are needed.
Simply separating your office from other parts of the house can make a mental boundary. This boundary can trick your brain into working once you enter the space specifically for your own office.
Even if you live in an apartment, there are ways to set up your workspace so that it won’t interfere with other aspects of your home life. Here are five ideas to get you started.
Set a Dedicated Workspace
Since you need a physical boundary to separate your home life from your work life, set up a workspace that is free from distractions. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your office should be in a separate room—an empty wall space or corner will do nicely. It’s also best to keep your desk far away from your bed. This way, you won’t be tempted to lie down and take a nap during work.
Get Good Lighting
Another thing to consider in choosing a dedicated work area is the lighting. Good lighting will play a part in your efficiency at work. If your space isn’t lit properly, you might find yourself with eye fatigue or a headache. So, if there’s space near your window, use the natural light source to make your work setup lighter and brighter. Artificial lighting will also do if natural light is lacking. Just make sure your screen and work area don’t have glares and shadows.
Always Prioritize Comfort
It may be tempting to decorate with an aesthetic in mind, but it’s best to stick with what’s comfortable since you’ll be working and sitting for the whole day. When shopping for office furniture, check out options that are ergonomic in nature. Ergonomic chairs and adjustable standing desks encourage good posture and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Investing in these items will save you from a lot of health troubles in the future.
Manage Your Cables
When working with multiple office gadgets, it’s so easy for the wires and cords to get tangled up. These are considered workplace hazards, so you shouldn’t just leave them on the floor. The best course of action is to keep them together and out of the way. If you plan on keeping your wires and cables on the underside of your desk, you can affix them with cable ties. You can also buy tray or rack-like organizers that go under or behind your desk. These are specifically used for offices and will make sure your workspace is free from cable clutter.
Choose Your Desk Items Wisely
The things you place on your desk will dictate whether you stay focused or distracted. Your office space is meant to be used for work, so you must minimize the distractions in your work area. If you’re minimalist in nature, only place things you use every day on your desk. If you’re somewhat of a maximalist, choose items that bring you joy for that extra inspiration to go along with your desk setup.
It doesn’t matter what kind of style you want your home office to have. As long as you design with productivity in mind, you’ll get things done in no time.
Hilltop at Shavano Apartments in San Antonio, TX