Many of us were put into a work-from-home position two years ago, and for lots of people, working from home has become permanent. The rise of remote work has resulted in millions of people staying home while their houses doubled as office spaces. If you’re in this position, you might understand the struggle of finding the right spot to work. Even still, you may be looking for ways to make your home office feel more like a workspace, instead of just part of your house. Here, we have some tips on how to liven up your home office to make you feel more productive and enjoy your environment more.
Dedicate one room to work
To start it all off, you can’t liven up your work-from-home space if you don’t have a dedicated home office. You’ve likely tried working in every room in your house, from your bedroom to your kitchen to your living room. Hopefully, by now you’ve figured out where you work best and are most productive. Once you know where you function most efficiently, dedicate that one room to your working from home space. From there, you can work towards personalizing it.
If you’re still unsure where to set up shop, consider whether you have a spare guest bedroom, a dining room, or any other unused living space you can transform into your home office. Not everyone has this much extra space, in which case you may have to work from your bedroom or kitchen table. If that’s the case, don’t worry! Even still, you can dedicate a space within a room to your office. If you end up working in your room, try not to work from your bed or a comfy sofa. These spots are best for relaxation and are likely to send you off for a nap rather than a productive work day.
Make use of colour
Colours can change the entire atmosphere and mood of a room, so use colours that will help you feel inspired to work. Lighter, airy colours are often good for this, like light blues and greens. You don’t have to choose colours that are super boring and neutral, but you should avoid tones that will distract you and prevent you from doing work. You can paint your workspace if you’re able, or else use accessories that highlight those colours. Of course, this is largely personal, depending on what colours you like best. Small things like colour can make a big difference to your mood and productivity while working from home!
Invest in good furniture
It’s not a waste of money to buy quality furniture for your permanent workspace. Many of us have worked in offices before, and experienced the classic uncomfortable chairs that often come with it. Don’t make the same mistake if you plan to be working from home long-term! When the pandemic began, many of us were making do with lap trays on our sofas. However, if your work-from-home situation has become permanent, it’s time to invest in some good furniture. A chair with good support is essential if you sit all day, as is a desk that is big enough for you to comfortably work at.
Make it personal
You don’t have to have the equivalent of a sad, impersonal cubicle in an office for your space when working from home. You can add photos, accessories, or little plants that give you a boost and make you feel more productive. Working in a space that feels like your own is handy in helping you feel efficient. It will help put you in the right space to work, and keep you in a positive mood throughout the day.
Maximize storage space
Hear us out – storage can be kind of fun. You might not have a ton of storage space in your home office, especially if the room wasn’t originally designed to be a workspace. You don’t want to end up with a super cluttered, messy workspace where you can’t find anything. If you’re a nerd for organization, though, there’s tons of fun ways to maximize your space. Optimizing your storage space through colourful boxes and file folders can help liven up your work area. Places like Structube, HomeSense, and Walmart have fun storage containers that will help you organize your items!
Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve realized that working from home has its perks. It also comes with a few challenges, but hopefully making the most out of your office space isn’t one of them! No matter what your home office setup is, there’s a way to improve your work area to maximize productivity and enjoyment.
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