Before COVID-19, working from home was already a growing trend. In fact, the number of remote workers increased by more than 150 percent in the past five years. More and more people are starting to realize how much easier it is to work from home, too.
Convenience isn’t the only reason people are enjoying remote work. The American Psychological Association found that it can also increase job satisfaction and improve performance. The flexibility and lack of commute are huge perks for anyone working.
For those who are remote workers or plan on shifting to telecommuting, the environment you work in greatly affects your mood and productivity, so renovating your home is almost expected. If you want to keep doing this for a long time, here are some tips for transforming your home into the perfect remote office.
Segregate spaces in your home
Even if you don’t have enough space, you should set up a separate area for working. You want to set up your office in a place with minimal distractions and stressors. The location of your office helps you stay focused and maintain discipline.
One of the main challenges of remote workers, especially new ones, is that their work can sometimes seep into their personal lives. A dedicated space just for work establishes boundaries. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a room. It can be a simple closed-off area of the room or a desk.
Similarly, it’s also good to dedicate a separate space for breaks. Simply stepping away from your computer is enough. Your computer can sometimes be a reminder of the tasks you need to do, and being around it can make you stressed even during a break. Every few minutes, just go into another room where you’re not reminded of work.
Get new storage containers
Whether it be at home or in a cubicle, decluttering is important for any workspace. Too many items can be distracting and affect your concentration. Messy tables also tend to stress people out.
If you’re home, it may be hard to find space for all the items that need to be cleared out. What you can do is to get more drawers and cabinets to store them in. This can also help you organize and sort your supplies better. When everything is in place, you don’t have to waste time searching for your stuff.
Create a sunroom
Thinking of having a separate room built? Invest in a sunroom to get all the benefits of a beautiful and energy-efficient workspace.
Studies found that inadequate lighting can make people more mentally and physically tired. Having a sunroom is a great way to attract natural lighting without increasing the cost of your electrical bill. The view from the outdoors can also greatly improve your mental health and make you more relaxed. A sunroom would make a great backdrop for a Zoom call, too.
It may appear costly at first, but there are ways to make the renovation more budget-friendly. Look for a polycarbonate roof sheeting supplier. You can use polycarbonate roof sheeting instead of glass or add a skylight for cheap ventilation. It can be decorated with furniture you already have at home or something from a thrift store.
Bring more plants inside
Being around nature has a positive impact on both our mental health and productivity. A study found that adding more houseplants in an office increases employee performance by 15 percent. It was important to have the plants within your line of sight to keep you psychologically engaged and happier.
Nature has a way of reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and increasing brain activity. The presence of indoor plants can help you become more creative and improve your decision-making skills.
If you’re new to taking care of plants, you can get low-maintenance plants such as succulents or cactuses. Most of them don’t need to be watered very often. Take note that some plants such as bunny ear cactus might tilt to one side because they’ll be following the sunlight. When this happens, just turn them around to make them stand upright again.
Invest in better furniture
Choosing a nice desk and chair can really make a difference when you’re working. An uncomfortable chair can be extremely distracting. It makes working in general just frustrating and annoying, especially if you are seated for most of the day.
Ergonomic chairs and desks are great for your personal office because they improve your posture. You can adjust the height of the desk for a more natural typing position. Some of these desks can even transform into standing desks. You can reduce the health risks commonly associated with excessive sitting.
