There’s a lot of debate about whether or not working from home helps your productivity throughout the day. Whilst I do think that varies widely from person to person, I firmly believe that your environment plays a huge part in your productivity. Your home office is the secret to your success. Lately, working from home has become the norm for many of us, so thinking about how to set up a home office has become a real necessity. 

Where you work at home will make a HUGE difference to your productivity levels. Working from your sofa might sound cosy, but there’s too much opportunity for distraction- not to mention the temptation of an afternoon nap. You need a separate space just for working, where you can complete your tasks in peace. Trust me, a properly setup home office is a complete game changer when it comes to working from home.

In this post I’m going to help you set up the perfect home office. My home office is my sanctuary and soon yours will be, too.

Disclaimer: this post may contain some affiliate links. When you make purchases through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Picking the perfect space for your home office

First things first, you need to choose the space that you’re going to use. This can be tricky – most of us don’t have an empty room just waiting to be transformed, but at the same time, working from bed isn’t going to cut it. It’s time to evaluate your space and find out what going works best in your home.

In reality, a home office can be something as simple as a corner reserved just for working. You don’t need a whole room and tons of flashy equipment to create a great home office.

If you’re short on space, try reusing other rooms in your home. Experiment with rearranging your kitchen, bedroom or living room to section off a small office area.

Things to consider when choosing your space:

Lighting

Ideally, your home office will be somewhere with plenty of natural light to boost your mood throughout your working day. Having good artificial lighting setup for when you’re working in the dark is important, too. Proper lighting will greatly reduce the strain on your eyes from staring at a screen all day. Those awful fluorescent lights at the office aren’t doing you any favors so make sure your home office is set up with lighting that’s going to work with you, not against you.

A writing area

If you don’t have space in your home for a desk, try using a portion of your kitchen or dining room table instead. For a long time I used the end of my kitchen table as a designated workspace. Constantly working with a computer on your lap won’t do your post any favors and it’s much easier to focus when you’ve got a proper writing space.

Remember that less is more

You don’t want to an over cluttered office space – it can actually make you less productive. It’s important to make sure that you have what you need in your office, but just keep in mind that at the end of the day, less is definitely more! 

So with that in mind… what do you really need in your office, and what can you live without?

Home office must-haves

A good lamp

This is essential for working at night. Make sure that you’ve got the right light bulbs in both your lamp and your overhead lighting. A lamp with a built-in wireless charger can be a great space-saving solution, too.

Plants 

Studies have shown that greenery helps improve productivity in a workspace. Houseplants reduce stress levels and create an overall sense of wellbeing. (Can’t keep plants alive? Fake ones work too – I won’t tell.)

Notebook and pens

It’s possible to do everything on your devices but I find that switching back to analog mode really boosts my concentration and helps me stay on top of my tasks. Plus, who doesn’t love cute stationery?

A comfortable chair

It’s hard to concentrate when your back aches. Investing in your comfort will make all the difference to your productivity. Here’s what you should look for:

• Adjustable height
• Swivel base
• Built-in lumbar support

A standing desk

Let’s be honest. Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day does nothing for your physical health. The use of standing desks is on the rise, and for good reason. Among other benefits, they can improve your posture, reduce your risk of heart disease and boost your productivity. You don’t have to use it for the whole day, but switching it up can only be a good thing.

Storage

This can come in many forms, but you’ll definitely need a way to stay organized. Filing cabinets are always handy, but if you haven’t got much space you could simply put up a couple of shelves or grab a few storage boxes. This way things are kept out of the way for you, but are easy to find when you need them. Organization is key to the perfect home office. 

It’s easy to get carried away when designing your home office. Walk into the office section of any store and you’ll be overwhelmed with ideas on how you can make your home office the chicest, cosiest one known to man. Write a shopping list to help you stay focused and keep the most important elements in mind. For me it’s the 3 Gs:

• Good lighting
• Great chair
• Greenery

For more inspiration, I recommend heading over to Pinterest. I always find my best ideas there. While you’re there, make sure to follow me and save this post to inspire others.

Now that you’ve got an amazing home office set up, why not find out more on how to grow your business with a successful digital marketing campaign?