4 Tips to Design a Productive Home Office

One of the strategies many states across the U.S. are using to curb the spread of the coronavirus is imposing movement restrictions. Consequently, the number of remote workers has grown 44% compared to the same period last year (2019), with the majority of these workers working from home, as reported by Statista. This is not necessarily bad because, when done right, working from home can save time, reduce overheads, and boost productivity.

A recent study published on the Science Direct website found that your physical environment can impact your productivity. This is where having an appropriate home office design becomes essential. In essence, you should aim to make your home office as productive and creative as possible.

Here are four home office design tips to get you started.

1. Have the Right Furniture

Once you identify a suitable room or a space for your home office, you need to find comfortable furniture that will not negatively affect your posture. Uncomfortable furniture can encourage a poor sitting posture, causing backaches in the long run. Back pain affects nearly 65 million Americans every year, with bad posture being the main culprit, according to a survey conducted by Georgetown University. A comfortable chair will promote good alignment of your back and save you from unnecessary muscle pain and excessive straining. Besides, a wide desk will offer enough space to accommodate your computer and all the accessories you need for your job and ensure comfortable working.

2. Light Up Your Office

Sufficient lighting is an essential component of a productive home office, with natural light having more benefits than artificial ones. Natural light lowers eyestrain, blurring, and headaches for employees who work with computers for extended periods, as reported by the Harvard Business Review. To avoid such problems, position your workstation near a window to maximize the use of natural light or install a natural light desk lamp. On the other hand, blue light increases your alertness while red light makes you relax, encouraging you to fall asleep, as per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). With this in mind, choose the right lighting for optimum performance in your home office.

3. Add Some Colors

Virtually all colors can affect your mood in one way or another, and choosing the right ones will be suitable for your home office design. More specifically, neutral colors such as white, cream, and beige brighten up your office, make it look spacious, and liven up your mood. Furthermore, green is considered a restful and peaceful color that gives you the much-needed focus on your job. You can also add flowers in a vase to improve your office décor and enhance your working conditions.

4. Add Some Ergonomic Features

Apart from a reclining chair that may come in handy on your coffee breaks, add such items that make your office experience more comfortable and healthier. For instance, an adjustable desk will give you the freedom to work at different heights, while a footrest will enhance blood circulation and make your feet more comfortable. Such features will make you less vulnerable to occupational diseases such as backaches and musculoskeletal disorders, as reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Use these home office design tips to make your home office more productive, creative, and safe. Additionally, purchase the right insurance coverage to protect your home office against potential risks. Get the right insurance. Contact the experts at Robert J. Los Insurance Agency in Hamburg, New York, for all your coverage needs.