The old stereotype of running a business out of a garage exists, but every business person who works from home should have a proper home office. While you may think that building a small, cubicle-like space is enough for you, no one likes cubicles. Running a business from home requires tremendous self-motivation, and working in a dreary, drab area will not help.
You do not have to remake your home or be some master artisan to construct an office that will make your work more enjoyable or functional. A few small hacks will spruce up your office and morale and make the day-to-day grind easier.
1. Invest in a proper chair
You could grab one of your kitchen chairs and plop it down in your office. I used to do that. But sitting back in that chair and planning the day’s events wasn’t easy. I wasted so much time adjusting my seat or sitting position to make myself comfortable and had problems concentrating. I could sit down without moving about when I finally got a good office chair for just $60. The chair had removed a distraction.
You will sit in your office chair for hours, so get an ergonomically comfortable one. Don’t try to skimp – a little extra money here will go a long way towards improving your comfort and morale. You can also look into creating a stand-up desk, given the adverse health effects of sitting day after day.
2. Manage your cables
Cables suck. A tangled jungle of cables looks ugly and signifies that you are not in control of your environment. And if you need to take your computer to a presentation, there is the mess of finding the suitable cable and untangling it from all the others.
The good news is that since cables are such a problem, there are a lot of guides out there that have tips on how to organize them. At the bare minimum, take some time to label your cables with a sticker or twisty tie so you can quickly determine which is which. I would also recommend tying similar cables that go to the same device, such as a desktop, together to organize which cables go where.
3. More Space is Better than Less
One of the biggest enemies of any home office is clutter. If you bring clients into your office, the mess will convince them that you are disorganized. Cables and wires are a real problem, so it might be a good idea to look at wireless headsets instead of fixed-line telephones. Even the mere presence of clutter is distracting and can waste your time as you try to remember where you put that important document.
You need to have an organized storage space to get rid of clutter. If you have less place than you would like, then add some bins and shelves on your walls to give yourself additional storage. Try to organize things vertically and horizontally so you can make the room you might not have.
Even a small office or closet should be able to have enough room for everything you need. But if you cannot make it work, you may consider using a bigger room in your house as the office instead. Your living or dining room can be good choices to have additional space.
4. Green is Good
We all mock the artificial plants we find in many regular offices. But studies have shown that natural plants can lower stress, improve your attention capacity, and improve your work performance. A plant is a great way to spice up your office and give a soothing scent. Low-maintenance plants such as aloe, ficus, and cacti are excellent choices for an office.
Aside from plants, look for ways to add a personal touch of decoration to ease work stress, such as photographs or small mementos. You want your home office to feel like home.
5. Light problems
A dull, dark workspace is not going to inspire creativity and imagination. And while your office will have some lighting, additional lamps can offer a more personal touch and help you focus on your computer. A small light on your desk can help you read smaller-printed documents and reduce eye strain and headaches.
In addition to electric lamps, position your office, so it receives plenty of natural light. My layout is to place my desk in the middle of two separate windows. Most of the time, the light shines in my office and makes me feel better. I close the blinds if the light starts to shine in my eyes.
But not all kinds of light are good. If you spend a lot of time in front of a computer, I recommend investing in a pair of anti-computer glare glasses. Also, take some time every day to look away from the computer and take in your personalized, organized, and open office.
