10 Ways To Organize Work From Home Space For Better Productivity

It has already been 23 days of staying indoors due to Covid-19. Working from home and spending more time with family has become the new reality for many of us. In this scenario, how to increase productivity while many of us are struggling to organize the pending work from the comforts of home without proper set-up, chores, kids, and endless distractions. Here are a few quick and simple ways you can set up your very own office space in your little corner of the home to ensure your productivity remains at its very best.

The Sweet Spot

Finding the right space to set up your office is the most crucial task. Find your space away from distractions and major traffic corridors of your home. It can be under the stairs or in the dead end of a well-lighted hallway. The criteria is a space with natural light and as less human movement as possible. If can't find such a space on your own, talk to your family members and together allocate space for your home office. If you are likely to do a lot of video conferencing, ensure you find a solid colour backdrop.

Divide It

If you do find a space with a good natural, a clever solution to limit distractions is to isolate it. Set up a curtain or a partition wall. Invest some DIY time to build your very own partition wall jute ropes or packaging boxes that you may have lying around in your house. Try to use neutrals and pastels that boost concentration and create a sense of formal professionalism.

Seat Right

Ensuring the correct ergonomics is the next important task. Find a comfortable chair that give proper lumbar support, leg support and has arm rest to support your arms. Always remember, it is better to have no cushion than too much cushion. Find a desk that ensure your screen is at your eye level and your shoulders are not bent at unnatural angles and your forearms are roughly parallel to the floor. Add a throw rug, soft ottoman or a comfortable pillow in a bright colour to breath life into your space.

Sit to Stand

Sitting for long hours every day increase risks of various lifestyle diseases like blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, etc. It is a clever idea to switch between sitting and standing while working. If you have a desk with height of at least 1.1 m, place it beside your regular desk. You can also add a booster to a corner of your regular desk with packing boxes or shelves for a DIY standing desk. You can also get creative with those fat volumes of dictionaries or anything else you may think of. The idea is to switch between sitting and standing and still have your screen at the eye level.

Add Some Life

Be it a small plant, flowers, or a fishbowl, having another breathing companion beside you is always a good idea to cheer you up and increase your productivity.

Light It Right

Embracing a natural light source is the best idea. Place your desk near a window but not directly facing it, to avoid glare. If you are right handed, orient the desk to keep the window to your left and vice versa. Keep another source of direct light for precision work. Also ensure, there is adequate indirect diffuse lighting in your space for work in the hours after sunset.

Stationery and Gadgets

Organising all your stationery and gadgets is the best way to ensure a smooth flow of work. If there is a certain order in which you usually use your stationery and gadgets, it is best to follow the flow while organising. Keep enough space to stick post-its, brainstorm, and plan your work. Don't forget a clock and a wastebasket to keep you on schedule and not create a mess. If you have space, you can add an air diffuser to keep your stress levels low and productivity high.

Manage the Cables

With so many cables from your desktop, chargers, and gadgets, it is important you manage them and avoid accidents. Plan and position a multi-plug extension and use it wisely.

Clean Up

De-clutter and clean your desk everyday after work to return to a clean workspace the next day. Nothing deters productivity like a messy workplace and it is an absolute important step to maintain the efficiency of your home office. Resist the urge to crash into the bed and slack off as soon as you are done working. Five minutes of cleaning can save half an hour of frantic searching for things the next day.

Dress for the Job

Dressing up for the job is a huge contributor to your productivity. Wear comfortable but professional clothes and dress up, to set your mood right.

Bonus Tip

Now all you need to do is thoughtfully personalize your space and work away. Do not forget to take time off from time to time to indulge in a few stretches and a meaningful time with your family.