The average person will spend approximately 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime. That’s roughly equivalent to 3750 days or 35% of your waking hours. Given that you are happy with your job, it’s still too much time to be spent in an office, if you ask me. This is why the option to do remote work has been a welcome and refreshing change. Working from home gives us more control over our work environment than ever before.
Now, that you have the power to customize your work environment, why not level it up? The ideal home office should be as comfortable as it can be. It should also inspire creativity and productivity. Finally, it should help improve your health and boost the quality of your work.
I understand the challenges that come with working from home. So here are 3 common challenges you can find in a home office and some tips on how to improve them.
1. You don’t have ergonomic office equipment.
Most organizations have the budget to provide their employees with ergonomic equipment. However, if you work from home, you might be working off a kitchen table or the couch in your living room. Both options do not provide sustainable lumbar support. This could strain your back and could lead to health issues, especially if you work 8 hours a day.
The good news is that you don’t need to buy an expensive ergonomic chair, although it is a good investment if you have the budget. There are other ways to get comfortable seating. You can purchase a seat cushion that can relieve the stress on your back brought about by hard seats. This article has recommendations for seat cushions. Find one within your budget range.
If you’re struggling with wrist fatigue, you can try out an ergonomic mouse. Pair it with a mouse pad that has wrist support to reduce strain while you work for extended periods of time.
2. You have fluorescent lighting.
Fluorescent lighting is not flattering and will not do you any favors if you spend a lot of time on video calls. The key is to switch to a softer, yellow-toned light or smart light bulbs if you have the budget for it.
The gold standard is still natural lighting. So, if you can. Set your home office up near a window. Make sure you are facing the light source to make sure that you are always camera-ready. If you work nights, a simple ring light can do wonders for how you look on video.
3. Your home office is cluttered.
The simple and time-tested solution is to de-clutter. You don’t have to spend all your free time cleaning, though. For starters, buy bins and organizers and make sure that every item has a home. This system keeps your clutter “organized” and out of sight. You can sort out the contents of the bin when you have time.
If you don’t have bins and organizers, you can always improvise. Use coffee mugs or an empty wafer roll canister to corral your pens, pencils, highlighters, and scissors. Save your containers and use them for desk knick-knacks like pins, tape rolls, and post-its. Tame your cables with basic painter’s tape. Organize your notebooks and copy paper with bookends. Use what you already have. Get creative.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to create your dream office. With a few changes, you can create a workspace you genuinely love spending time in. What are your DIY home office sprucing up tips? Share them with us in the comments. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp