Whether you work at home, in a cubicle or in a private office your work space plays a big part in your productivity levels. It is easy to allow ourselves to become unorganized or to neglect the aesthetics of our office space. Simply put, it is difficult to find time for such seeming trivial details. But with the right design you may just find that your office can help you to maximize your time at work making it a worthwhile investment.
So what can you do if you work from home? Make sure you have an inviting and well equipped home office space. Give yourself as much space as you would have in your employer’s office. This may mean that you have to convert a room, but it is well worth the reward. This space should have a door on it to allow you to close off outside distractions.
As you begin to furnish this home office begin by stocking yourself up with the essentials. Set up your computer, printer, copier, fax machine and whatever else you may need to conduct business. In choosing a desk and chair don’t allow yourself to neglect ergonomics. Just because you work from home does not mean that you aren’t susceptible to carpal tunnel, neck and back aches and other repetitive stress injuries. Just as your office should supply you with a functional and healthy working space you too should supply yourself. You’ll also want fast and reliable Internet to avoid too much frustration and time wasted. As far as aesthetics go design a room you want to work in, surround yourself with things that make you feel comfortable and utilize good lighting.
If you work in a cubicle it can be rather difficult to maximize your space, but don’t shy away from making the space your own. Organize your desk as you use it, putting the items you most commonly use in an easily accessible spot. Put up a few pictures and customize your desk to make you feel more comfortable. A cubicle can often be fairly alienating so it is good to surround yourself with things that make you feel happy. At the same time you may want to avoid too much clutter as that can overwhelm you can lead to a bit more of a mess. Consider bringing in a plant or a portrait of nature to bring the outdoors in. You’ll also want to be sure to adjust your chair and desk so as to prevent too much stress on your body. A cubicle can be a rather challenging work environment to master so put in the time to make it functional and inviting.
A private office at work is very much a cherished commodity. It is usually a heavily celebrated achievement, but many upper level employees may find that their own personal office can be a bit alienating and hard to take advantage of. If you find yourself closed off from the rest of the office be sure to leave your door open and any windows you may have, if people can see you they’ll be more likely to approach you and vice a versa. Consider what you most need to use your office for and adjust it based on that. If you frequently host meetings in your office set up a conference table, if you only really use your office to meet with clients make sure it is a warm and welcoming environment. Don’t be afraid to personalize your office, after all you worked hard enough to get it. Adding rugs and soft lighting will help you to feel more at home at work and will ultimately allow you to get more done.
