If you’re one of the thousands of Aussies for whom working from home has become the new normal, you know how important a good home office setup is. It’s been almost a year since employees were required to work remotely, and since then, home offices have become an important space in the house. Creating the right home office environment is essential for improving productivity, job satisfaction and promoting healthy boundaries between work and home. Here are some tips to help you master the ultimate work from home setup.
Home office decor
Let’s start with design. If you’re spending eight hours a day anywhere, making it a space you want to be in is vital to your general wellbeing and productivity. The trick is to create a space that is comfortable and inviting but not too distracting.
Bring the outside in
Indoor plants are a great way to bring a bit of natural greenery into your home office. Not only will these plants bring in a vibrant splash of colour, but studies also show that they reduce stress and improve productivity as well.
Don’t just pick any old green plants. Pick something easy to maintain that also helps improve air quality. Spider plants, Jade and Boston Ferns are all great home office plants. Cashrewards members can receive cashback when they purchase their plants online through Ferns n Petals.
Get the light right
Having a good balance between natural and artificial lighting is key to creating a home office space that is comfortable and enjoyable to be in. Natural light is excellent for warding off seasonal depression, getting better sleep and creating an optimal work environment. If late nights are a semi-regular occurrence for you, then make sure you’ve got enough ambient lighting that helps to light your space efficiently but not too harshly. JD Lighting has a range of office lamps that can cater to your workspace lighting needs.
Colours
One of the many benefits of working from home is the ability to create a space that inspires, motivates and relaxes you. Colours play a huge role in setting the tone of a space. If you’re looking to add colour to the room, consider variations on the colour blue. Known for its ability to bring a sense of calm, find a shade of blue that you like, which can help to create the calming aesthetic you’re in need of.
Getting the best monitor setup for home office
If you’ve ever used multiple monitors before, you know how exponentially productive you can get with the right setup. Having multiple screens means you don’t have to juggle multiple windows at once, and can save you hours of closing and opening windows and tabs.
The Dell UltraSharp 32 4K USB-C Monitor is one of the best on the market right now. This widescreen monitor can be switched horizontally or vertically depending on your needs and space. It has an anti-glare screen, and its 4K screen resolution makes it incredibly clear and easy to read. If you’re a Cashrewards member, you’ll get 6% cashback on your purchase.
Clean and tidy
An important part of enjoying a home office space is keeping one that is clean and tidy. You want your workspace to be a place where you can create, flesh out ideas and execute projects. Clutter and mess distract you from your goals.
Pro tip: Wire management is a little thing that can make a massive difference to your office space, it’s also pretty low cost. Zip ties, cord baskets and extension cords are your best friends here.
Invest in your health with an ergonomic desk and chair
There is growing research that indicates sitting for long periods has adverse health effects. By following ergonomic rules such as keeping your back and neck straight with your arms parallel to the floor, you can minimise these negative effects on your body. Purchasing office furniture that helps you maintain these postures can be highly beneficial to your overall health and productivity.
Many office workers have opted to invest in standing desks to reduce the amount of time they need to spend sitting. These desks are adjustable and can be lowered and raised depending on your preference to sit or stand. Alternatively, if you’re not quite ready to make the full investment into a standing desk, opt for a desk extender from the Good Guys. Sitting on top of your current desk, it gives you the same functionality as a standing desk at half the price.