COVID-19 has loomed over our daily lives for over a year now. Working from home and maintaining social distancing has become the new norm and, while this is beneficial for many of us, it is easy to get distracted while working in your home environment. If you want to find a healthy balance between working hard and relaxing at home, read our top 9 tips on how to craft an efficient working environment to keep you focused throughout the day.
To create the perfect home office, a proper work chair is an essential part of interior design. When sitting at home for extended periods of time, having a comfortable chair can make life easier and more enjoyable. There are plenty of office chair designs available on the market and finding the perfect one will depend on what is comfortable to you, and what fits your specific needs and preferences. If you find yourself struggling with backache after a day of work, consider getting an ergonomically designed chair to promote better posture.
A work area with simple styling and a consistent colour pallet can calm your mood and improve your work efficiency. You don’t need to make the entire space one colour – just use your imagination. Think about making use of and rearranging furniture you already own and getting small decorations that complement the design you are aiming for. If done properly, having a work area with a different aesthetic to the rest of your house can greatly help with productivity.
Some people think that working on a bed or coffee table is enough. As the pandemic continues and work from home measures become the new norm, its important to get a proper desk and create a more permanent solution. Working where you would normally relax makes it hard to remain focused, and many of us end up watching TV or napping. An appropriately sized desk with ample storage and workspace can greatly improve your work efficiency and leave you more time to enjoy later on.
In a typical office scenario, people love to decorate their space with small items that strengthen your sense of personal belonging to your work area. Why not add some of these small decorations to your desk at home? Small wood, glass or other objects add a sense of uniqueness and style to your desk that can stimulate creativity and critical thinking. Be careful not to have too much, as a messy desk can inhibit productivity and affect your work efficiency.
If you think you will be working from home for a long time, consider buying some potted plants to decorate your workspace with. Apart from adding a bit of greenery to your home, they can purify the air and help you feel less stressed – indirectly increasing productivity. Turn your work area into a small green oasis with this simple interior design tip!
Televisions, conversations between family members, and noisy children can all be a distraction from your work. We recommend you set up your workstation away from noisy distractions, if possible. Another great option is to invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. By eliminating these noises, you can maintain your focus for a much longer period of time.
When creating your new workspace, why not think about including a nice carpet with it? Whether you want a Nordic styled carpet or one with a bolder pattern, carpets define the style of the space. Whether you sit on the carpet or just rest your feet on it while working, you will immediately be able to feel the difference. This is a simple and guaranteed way to improve your mood while working from home.
Part of working from home is having to join video or conference calls on a regular basis. While technology has allowed us to effectively work from home like never before, it has also meant that we need to keep a tidy home in order to create a good impression. You can either create your own setup at home or make use of virtual technology to replace the background with a picture of your office – or something more fun!
Light can have a big effect on people’s working environments. Working in a well-lit location can help you read and think more effectively. Try to move your desk or workspace near a window that gets natural light, if possible. Otherwise, install plenty of desk lamps and overhead lights to ensure your workspace is bright.
When your home becomes your office, the boundaries between your work and home life can blur. Sometimes, your downtime can feel more stressful than it should, and your work hours feel more relaxed than they should. Creating a designated workspace at home can help differentiate the two and allow your home life to stay separate from your work life. Remember to leave your house from time to time to buy coffee, snacks, or go for a walk. Leaving the house and taking short breaks can refresh your energy and improve your productivity.
The pandemic is still very much present, and many companies are extending their work from home arrangements. Many even believe that this will have lasting impacts on the way we work, while some companies are even making it a permanent policy. Now is the time to make an ideal working space within your home, stay focused, and work smarter.
If you need help designing your home workspace or are interested in home interior design in Hong Kong, get in touch with us today.