5 Tips for Setting Up a Productive Home Office

Whether you work from home full time or part time, the way you set up your work zone is key to productivity and creativity. At Head Springs Depot, we are dedicated to helping our customers achieve a healthy work-life balance through top quality home furnishings designed so you can do your best work. But before you head over to our furniture warehouse to start shopping, take a look at these 5 tips for setting up a productive home office.

#1 Create a Dedicated Work Zone

The number one rule for setting up a productive home office is to designate a work area. This is beneficial for a couple of reasons. First, it separates your work and personal life. If you choose to work at the kitchen table or the couch, you’re not able to separate your home life from your work life. This can be the ultimate block to your creativity and productivity. This separation also helps to minimize distractions, such as that pile of dirty dishes begging you to clean them. If you do not have a spare room available for a dedicated workspace, find an area that is that quiet and comfortable.

#2 Comfort Is Key

From desk posture to chair height to adequate equipment spacing, workspace ergonomics are incredibly important to feeling your best and producing your best work. Make a note of your comfort requirements before you begin shopping for office furniture. Ask yourself questions, such as: how much desk surface area do you need to keep your equipment in reach and what type of chair cushion is most comfortable to you.

#3 Light It Up

Quality lighting is key when it comes to productivity. Poor office lighting can cause eyestrain and headaches, drain your energy, and dampen the mood in your work zone. Ideally, your home office has as much natural light as possible, but we know that is not always possible when working from home. Overhead lights can sometimes cause a glare so we recommend including ambient and task lighting, such as desk lamps or table lamps with shades, to help you focus. When placing your lamps and lighting in your office, be sure to eliminate shadows and avoid glares that are sure to be annoying and distracting during your work day.

#4 Keep It Clutter Free

Whether it’s at work or at home, clutter is downright distracting. The easiest way to keep clutter to a minimum is to have adequate storage in your home office or work zone. Shelves and cabinets are a great way to ensure every item has a home to go to when it’s not in use. If you are limited on space, consider desks with plenty of drawers, cabinets or shelves.

Another way to keep your workspace clutter-free is to take time at the end of the day to reorganize and get everything ready for the next day. That way, everything is ready for you first thing in the morning!

#5 Bring the Outside In

Elements from nature have been known to mitigate stress and bring a sense of calm to your busy work day. Whether it’s a little natural light, fresh air, greenery, furniture with natural finishes or all of the above, these small connections to the natural world can help to boost mood, productivity, creativity and beyond.