Have you been forced to work from home because of the coronavirus outbreak? You’re not alone. Studies estimate that approximately 56% of Americans have jobs that allow them to work from home full-time during the pandemic. That’s a major increase from the 3.6% that it was before.

If you’re working from home, you probably have spent a lot of time thinking about how to arrange your home office. And rightfully so, too. The way you design your home workspace has a major impact on your mood, productivity, and overall ability to work from home successfully.

But unless you went to school for interior design, you probably have no clue about the right way to arrange your office. You may wonder, what’s necessary and what’s not? How much space do I really need? And what will help me be as productive as possible? 

Worry not. In this article, we’ll discuss how to design your home office for success.

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Tips for Setting Up Your Home Office

The best home offices are well-thought out and planned from the beginning. Before you start ordering office furniture online or rearranging your home, take some time to consider your end goals. Here are some tips that can help you design a home office that keeps you happy and productive:

    • Consider what’s important to you personally. You’re more likely to want to spend time in a place you enjoy. It’s important to incorporate activities or values that are important to you in your workspace design. Are you the type of person who cares deeply about the environment? If so, consider sustainable furniture. Do you perform best when you can move and fidget? Try looking for active seating options to use at your desk.
    • Remember, less is more. Unless you have an extra room in your home, you’re probably going to be working with a small space. In this case, it’s important to remember that more isn’t always better. Instead of crowding your office with items you don’t need, keep your design open and minimal. This will help you make transitions quickly and also allow you to be active during the day. Don’t get carried away with ordering all the latest trends. Bring what you need into your space and what you use most frequently, nothing more. 
    • Stay social. The number one complaint that people have when working from home is that they miss their coworkers. Make sure that you find ways to stay social while you’re at home. Whether it’s buying a laptop with a webcam so you can video chat or setting up your desk near a spouse who’s also working from home, you should find some way to stay at least somewhat social.
    • Boost productivity by incorporating movement. One of the best ways to stay productive is incorporating movement into your workday. Active seating like wobble boards, exercise balls, and stools are great for this. You may also want to consider a custom workstation or sit-stand desk.

Being at home for an extended period of time is tough, but it’s the best way to stay healthy right now. By using the tips above, you’ll be able to create a home office that works well for your individual needs.

Stay Tuned for More Advice

Looking for more work from home advice? Check back soon for additional tips, insights, and information from our team!