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How I Organised my Home Office for Better Productivity
Learn how your office space can help you be efficient and productive
Niki Bruce
18 July 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
After almost 20 years of working in media offices, I set out to be a freelancer.
What I didn’t realise was that although I’d always taken work home with me, once I was working at home full-time, I actually needed to create a ‘real’ home office; a space that would not only help me get my work done, but also let me be as productive as before.
Work from home? Here’s how to maintain a work-life balance
What I didn’t realise was that although I’d always taken work home with me, once I was working at home full-time, I actually needed to create a ‘real’ home office; a space that would not only help me get my work done, but also let me be as productive as before.
Work from home? Here’s how to maintain a work-life balance
Find the right place
The first thing you need to do is work out where to set up.
Are you someone who’s easily distracted by what’s outside the window? Or is your space above a noisy road? Do you work better with sunlight streaming in?
The first thing you need to do is work out where to set up.
Are you someone who’s easily distracted by what’s outside the window? Or is your space above a noisy road? Do you work better with sunlight streaming in?
In my case, I’m someone who can focus no matter what’s going on around me – as long as I have my headphones on.
My desk is perpendicular to a picture window which lets in lots of light but overlooks an empty carpark and residential street.
Tip: Try to have some sort of natural light in your work area. This is especially important if you’re not going outside much; you need the vitamin D!
My desk is perpendicular to a picture window which lets in lots of light but overlooks an empty carpark and residential street.
Tip: Try to have some sort of natural light in your work area. This is especially important if you’re not going outside much; you need the vitamin D!
The right desk and chair combination
For 20 years, I’ve worked at rubbish corporate desks that forced my screen too close or too far away and sat on chairs that have always been too high for me or offer no lumbar support. As a result, I suffer from a slipped disc and imperfect eyesight.
For 20 years, I’ve worked at rubbish corporate desks that forced my screen too close or too far away and sat on chairs that have always been too high for me or offer no lumbar support. As a result, I suffer from a slipped disc and imperfect eyesight.
If you’re going to be spending any longer than an hour at your desk, make the investment to consult a physiotherapist or an ergonomic furniture specialist especially for your chair.
I ended up spending $2,000 on an office chair, but I did stop having to spend $160 a week on physio, so it’s paid for itself many times over.
I ended up spending $2,000 on an office chair, but I did stop having to spend $160 a week on physio, so it’s paid for itself many times over.
The desk needs to be at the right height so your hands rest on the tabletop or keyboard at a 90 degree angle; with your feet flat on the floor.
As long as your desk allows you to do this, you can have any style you like.
As long as your desk allows you to do this, you can have any style you like.
Tip: More are now investing in built-in desks with storage in their renovations – especially if they’re using the space for two activities like a study in a guest bedroom. Buy your office chair before the built-in is designed as it’s much easier to match the desk to the chair, than the other way around.
Screen and keyboard
In addition to having your arms in a 90-degree angle, have your screen positioned directly in front of your eyes with you looking straight ahead.
In addition to having your arms in a 90-degree angle, have your screen positioned directly in front of your eyes with you looking straight ahead.
Tip: You do not want to be looking down at your screen so get a laptop or monitor raiser. Straining your neck looking down would make your investment in a decent office chair and desk redundant.
Lighting
No matter how good you think the general room lighting is, you will need task lighting on the desk.
8 ways to use task lighting
No matter how good you think the general room lighting is, you will need task lighting on the desk.
8 ways to use task lighting
Storage
Storage is really important if you don’t want to start the morning facing piles of papers and dirty coffee cups.
Storage is really important if you don’t want to start the morning facing piles of papers and dirty coffee cups.
I try to be as paper-free as possible and get my clients to send me everything I need via email or on the cloud. I don’t even own a printer.
10 storage tips for home office paperwork
10 storage tips for home office paperwork
Tip: A pin board or blackboard is very handy, especially if you like to brainstorm or collect inspiration ideas.
Plants, pictures and decor
I never really thought of myself as someone who really cared about plants and ‘pretty things’, but when setting up my home office space, I realised that adding something alive and attractive to my empty desk actually improved my day.
They’re also great for taking that morning coffee #selfie!
Feng shui basics on the right place for your plants
I never really thought of myself as someone who really cared about plants and ‘pretty things’, but when setting up my home office space, I realised that adding something alive and attractive to my empty desk actually improved my day.
They’re also great for taking that morning coffee #selfie!
Feng shui basics on the right place for your plants
If you really don’t have a green thumb, there are pretty realistic faux plants out there.
Tip: A few pretty scented candles can help with creativity, focus and energy.
Tip: A few pretty scented candles can help with creativity, focus and energy.
TELL US
Do you have some helpful tips for setting up a home office? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
MORE
24 Hipster Home Offices
Do you have some helpful tips for setting up a home office? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
MORE
24 Hipster Home Offices
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