Now, more than ever in recent history, people all over the world are working from home. Even as businesses begin to reopen here in Alpharetta, Georgia, many folks continue to do their work from home instead of heading back to the office. CNN’s Work Transformed discusses the transitions required to facilitate a remote workforce. While working from bed or the couch may seem tempting, it blurs the mental lines between business and leisure. This is why it’s so important to create an exclusive space within the home where productivity will flow. The Idea Specialists at Collingwood Apartment Homes have some tips to share with anyone looking to set up or improve a home office. Whether you can devote an entire room or merely a portion, we’re certain you’ll find some useful ideas to apply to your workspace.
We recommend you begin by measuring the area you intend to use so that you know exactly how much furniture it will accommodate. Collingwood Luxury Apartment Homes are available in seven different floor plans to meet your needs. Choose a desk or table that fits the space while still giving plenty of room to spread out paperwork. The UPLIFT V2 Standing Desk features a wide variety of desktop finishes to coordinate with your home office furniture. Position the desk near a window rather than in a dark corner to maximize natural light. This, along with lamps for task lighting, will help to reduce eye fatigue. The Anglepoise Original 1227 Desk Lamp from Perigold is fully adjustable and clamps securely to your work surface.
A comfortable chair will assist in keeping you happy and productive during your workday. The Three Posts Eckard Task Chair from Wayfair has high ratings and positive reviews. If space allows, an armchair in your home office adds a great place to sit while reading through documents or brainstorming creative ideas. It may also make a handsome backdrop for video conferences if you don’t necessarily need to be at your desk. Just be sure your background doesn’t look too distracting and your face is well lit for a professional appearance.
And don’t forget about storage! You’re likely to have various supplies and documents that will need a home somewhere. It’s best to keep them all nearby to avoid wandering into other rooms and losing focus. Use shelves large enough to accommodate all of your materials. It’s hard to find what you’re looking for when everything is crammed into a tight space. Hanging clipboards or bulletin boards on the walls can be the perfect way to always find the documents you need. It’s also the perfect place to display images and quotes that keep you feeling inspired.
Uplifting décor is another way to stay inspired and interested by stimulating your senses. Add life to your home office with plants (real or fake), a candle, an aromatherapy diffuser, or a tabletop fountain. You may find it helpful to play some soft instrumental music or natural sound effects, such as ocean waves. Noise-canceling headphones could be just what you’re looking for if distractions are a problem. We suggest a “do not disturb” sign if there are others in the home.
A common self-made distraction is clutter. So go easy on the amount of personal items in your work area. Place them on shelves or walls and reserve your desktop only for work. It’s a good idea to declutter regularly, perhaps at the end of the workday or workweek. A shredder under your desk will prevent papers from piling up as they wait to be discarded. Corral cords for tidiness and efficiency. A power strip with surge protection is recommended for sensitive equipment. If you find some equipment unsightly, such as a printer, hide it in a cabinet. Marie Kondo has much wisdom to share on the art of living joyfully by tidying your space. She even has a line of office supplies!
Finally, you’ll likely need a calendar to keep track of deadlines, meetings, and scheduling tasks. Whether your home office is temporary or long-term, we hope these tips will help you to transform your space and streamline your business. The Collingwood team wishes you well in all your endeavors as you live life fully!
