MAKE YOUR HOME OFFICE WORK

While working from home has become increasingly popular over recent years, coronavirus has brought its benefits firmly into focus with many companies set to permanently adopt a more flexible approach. So, there’s no time like the present to make sure your home office is working for you with these lifestyle tips to create an inspiring space and boost productivity.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Working from an armchair or sitting at the kitchen table might seem tempting at first, but lockdown has taught us that this isn’t always the best way to stay focused. Especially when you throw housemates or family members into the mix. Of course, being able to work in a separate room is the ideal solution and has the benefit that you can literally shut the door behind you at the end of the day. This stops the line between work and free time becoming too blurred. A bit short of space at home? Don’t stress as these tips will make a world of difference, even if you’re not fortunate enough to have a dedicated work room.

A CLEAN SHIP IS A HAPPY SHIP

Bringing order to the chaos helps you to create space in your mind and maintain focus. There’s no room for clutter on a compact workstation or fold-away desk anyway, so make sure you have a well-organised storage system. Putting a couple of shelves up on the wall is a budget-friendly option that takes up minimal space. That way you can save your money and invest in colourful, cheerful gadgets to stimulate your creativity, or invest in a good desk lamp to prevent eye strain. For anyone who spends a lot of time sitting at a computer, an ergonomic chair is essential. If you use an ergonomic chair or are worried about signs of wear around your work space choose a vinyl floor or laminate parquet from Quick-Step. You won’t have to worry about scratches and it’s not the end of the world if you accidentally knock over your coffee cup, as the floors are also water-resistant. Quick-Step floors are super easy to maintain too, so you won’t have to spend too much time cleaning in order to keep your workspace tidy and hygienic.

QUIET PLEASE – WORK IN PROGRESS

Working from home can have a positive impact on our productivity. But there are a lot of possible distractions and even the smallest sound can sometimes be enough to break your concentration. Quick-Step’s vinyl flooring has a sound-absorbing effect, so it’s the perfect choice for a home office but it’s also important to create a visually calming space. If you’re a bit of a daydreamer, it’s a good idea to separate your office area from the rest of your home, using a luxurious ceiling to floor curtain or an antique screen. You could also place your desk against a wall painted in a calming colour. Research has shown that natural shades like blue and green help to reduce stress. Or why not choose a nice house plant, perhaps even something with a kitsch retro feel like a cheese plant? One of the best things about working from home is that you don’t have to consider your colleagues and hide away those knickknacks. You can set everything up exactly how you like it and turn your home office into a cosy and inviting space where you can enjoy a new way of working.