Unbelievable Ways To Turn Your Home Into An Office You’ll Actually Want To Work In

Working from home on your business has a lot of benefits. For starters, you don’t have to pay out a ton of money for an office – which, for those of you who haven’t investigated the subject, are a heck of a lot more expensive than you think. And second, you get to organize your working hour pretty much however you want.

But creating the ultimate home office is easier said than done. Here we’re going to look at some of the advice given by experts in the home office field about how to make your home office a reliable space in which you’ll actually want to work.

Embrace Natural Light

Linda Varone, the author of the book The Smarter Home Office, says that many people set up their desk in the darkest part of the room, almost automatically. Inadvertently, they recreate the very corporate cubicle they’re desperately trying to escape. Instead, she says, put the desk and the computer next to the window so that natural light is pouring in from outside all day long. Natural light, she says, helps to boost happiness and make your more productive, especially in the winter.

Get Creative With Storage

Michael Chauliac is the vice president of marketing at Poppin. His advice for people working from home, after having done it himself for many years, is to get creative with storage. The biggest issue with home offices, he says, is that even the tidiest of people end up with sheets of paper everywhere within a few weeks. He suggests getting around this by trying wall storage, using racks like those used for magazines. Alternatively, you could use children’s style shelving.

For people who hold regular video conferences, Chauliac recommends installing an arty bookcase. It forms an excellent backdrop to a video call, he says.

Ensure Continuity

When running an office from home, the last thing you want is to have your data wiped by a power surge or your internet cut out. It’s a good idea, therefore to invest in an APC UPS power system to protect against electricity surges and a secondary means of connecting to the internet, besides your router. The easiest way to do this is to use your smartphone as a WiFi hotspot and connecting to the web via your mobile network.

Follow The Rules Of Ergonomics

You’ll be at your desk for extended periods of time when working from home, so Varone suggests that you follow the rules of ergonomics. First, make sure that your computer is at eye level, not below you. Having your computer at eye level helps to keep your spine straight and avoid back pain developing long term. Next, adjust your chair and have the option of putting your feet on a stool. Then make sure that your keyboard is positioned so that when typing your forearms are parallel with the floor. Finally, Varone says, splash out on a chair that you really like and is really comfortable. Your productivity and work ethic will benefit over the long term, she says.