Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, home offices had started to go by the wayside. According to USA Today, a study found that a majority of Americans didn't have a designated office space in their home before the pandemic.
However, with more people working from home these days, many are rethinking their work setup. To provide some inspiration, we have gone through the Private Quarters archives to feature some of the home offices we’ve highlighted through the years.
Some are cozy while others are minimalistic. But regardless of the aesthetics of your office set up, having a designated area can help make working from home feel more routine.
If you’re having some trouble feeling motivated at home, here are some tips for setting up your workspace in order to optimize productivity.
Have a designated space
Regardless of where you decide to work, try to find a space that's away from the rest of your day. A Medium blog post on increasing productivity recommends separating your work space from family members, pets, TV and other things at home that may be a distraction.
“Besides the practical aspect of a separate workspace, physical boundaries also help maintain some mental boundaries so that your two lives don’t bleed together,” the post notes. “Having a place to ‘go to work,’ even if it’s just a table or a corner set aside for that purpose, gives your workday some structure.”
Invest in some basics
With a lot of Americans working at home for the long haul, it may be worthwhile to invest in some of the basics of a proper work setup. For starters, a post from Inc magazine notes that a quality chair will go a long way.
The magazine also suggests securing things like an anti-glare screen for your computer, a monitor and a keyboard.
"It's awfully hard to be a focused, productive person when you're constantly straining to see your computer screen or rubbing your aching back," the magazine notes.
Also consider ergonomic options. According to Forbes, it's "essential for your health and overall well-being."
"Choosing comfortable and ergonomic furniture for your home office isn't a luxury choice. You'll be spending a lot of time in that office, so well-designed and ergonomic furniture is essential for your health and overall well-being," according to Forbes.
Declutter your surroundings
Cutting down the clutter around you can help you keep your focus. Forbes notes that optimizes your storage options at home can help make this easier.
“The right storage solution will help you keep everything you need in that workplace nearby, without making your home office look like a total mess,” Forbes notes. “Not only will you not be able to easily find what you’re looking for in a messy workplace; it’ll also affect your mood and overall productivity.”
About the Author
