Quarantine measures and restrictions on mass gatherings caused by the Coronavirus has forced many people to work from home. Although it’s a lot more convenient, it is also quite an adjustment.
If you’ve never worked from home before, you may find it difficult to be productive in a place that’s not designed for office use. But there’s something you can do to adjust to this new normal.
Just a few tweaks in one of your rooms or unused space and you can create your first home office that’s well conducive for work.
Lighting
Offices are well-lit to promote enthusiasm, positivity, and productivity among employees. The same should be the case for your first home office if you want to improve your work performance. You can achieve this by letting more natural light into the room and positioning your home office desk near the window. Just make sure to position your laptop or desktop strategically to avoid hurting your eyes from the glare. You will need an LED lamp to augment the remaining light in the afternoon, while an even and warm ambient light should illuminate the room during the night. Make sure not to work directly under the glare of overhead lights. Position your desk at an angle or find a way to scatter the harsh light like using desk lamps and floor lamps.
For more Home Office inspiration, check out our Pintrest.
Position
Do you have a spare room at home? Maybe no one’s using the attic? You can take advantage of unused space in your property such as the nook under the stairs, the landing, your outdoor space, or a part of the garage. Whichever you choose, the important thing is that it fits your work needs.
If your work requires quietness for concentration, then building a home office in the garage or garden should fit you well. If you run a small business and have a lot of files, equipment, and accessories to utilise, using your attic space or an entire spare room could be a great idea. On the other hand, if all that you need is a laptop, desk, and a chair to get you going, then a workstation on the landing or under the stairs will probably do.
Lighting
Offices are well-lit to promote enthusiasm, positivity, and productivity among employees. The same should be the case for your first home office if you want to improve your work performance. You can achieve this by letting more natural light into the room and positioning your home office desk near the window. Just make sure to position your laptop or desktop strategically to avoid hurting your eyes from the glare. You will need an LED lamp to augment the remaining light in the afternoon, while an even and warm ambient light should illuminate the room during the night. Make sure not to work directly under the glare of overhead lights. Position your desk at an angle or find a way to scatter the harsh light like using desk lamps and floor lamps.
Before you start, read our article on the Biggest Renovation Mistakes to avoid.