Working from Home - The New Normal
How to Create Your Ideal Work Space in Your Home.
Due to the recent changes in our lifestyle the way we work has changed as well – more people have started working from home. As much as it can be a positive and exciting change in many ways - mainly because it offers the opportunity for certain level of freedom and comfort - it does have its challenges as well and many people have actually find difficult to handle certain aspects of working home.
The challenges - in my opinion - can be divided into two big categories:
Certain challenges are related to the physical space itself – finding and creating your own ideal work space in your home. You might realise your home is not big and spacious enough for this change, there are not enough rooms, not enough space, there is too much stuff taking up all the space, no way to create a separate work space or your very own, dedicated work station, etc.
Other kind of difficulties come from the lifestyle, the daily routine and habits and the mindset. It means focusing on your work might feel challenging since you are surrounded by different kind of distractions that you did not encounter in your formal place of work and these distractions make it difficult for you to stay organised, manage your time, communicate effectively. Also, you need to develop a different mindset and stick to new daily routines to stay on top of your game and get work done - like not working from your bed, getting dressed, separating your work life from your private life.
It is vital to pay enough attention to both sets of challenges and find the best possible solution to create a well-designed home office four yourself as it will help you stay motivated, productive and efficient in your work.
Designing an effective home office differs from designing a commercial office.
Your home office cannot be too informal and casual or insufficiently separated from the main areas of your home environment as it will not give your brain the cue that you are in ‘working mode’ and eventually your focus and productivity will suffer and you will find hard to get things done.
You have to find a way to separate yourself from the rest of the goings-on in the home and to convey a sense of ‘work space–work mode” setting – both physically creating certain boundaries regarding the space itself as well as creating mental boundaries regarding your mindset.
Before setting up the physical space of your home office ask yourself these questions:
What kind of work related activities will I be doing in the space?
How much space do I need to do my work?
How many hours will I spend in the space?
Do I need a quiet, separated space for my work?
What is my peak performance time slot – when am I the most productive during the day? When will I be doing the bulk of my work?
Will other people visit the space – clients or colleagues?
What type of materials do I use on a daily basis related to my work?
What kind of storage solutions do they need?
What type of equipment is required?
Will I be making video calls?
Allocate some time for yourself to sit down with these questions to think about them. Once you have got your answers you can start thinking of how you can set up your own designated works space taking into consideration all of those answers. When setting up your physical space you will also need to think about the following as well:
Location and privacy
Lightning solutions
Colour scheme
Layout /Furniture arrangement
Storage management / Organisation
Adequate equipment and wire management
Ergonomics / Health and Safety
Decoration and Personalisation
It is your best interest to become clear about all these questions and aspects of creating an ideal work space for yourself - physically as well as mentally - that will positively influence you and make you feel wanting to spend time 'there' and with your work. It should promote focus and productivity - otherwise you feel feel that your home environment is working against you and your career goals. And that is definitely not a good basis for a happy and successful life.
With the recent changes covid has brought upon us forcing many people stay and / or to work from home I feel even more convinced that our home, our immediate every day environment plays a vital part in our general wellbeing and can be a great contributor - or a huge obstacle for that matter - to create a happy, balanced and successful life.
So, I am here to help you transform your home and life.
If you feel interested you can download the free booklet of 'The Successful Home' giving you ideas about how you can take care of your professional life from the interior design perspective of your home.
If you do not know where to start your journey, by all means, download your beautiful gift, the Home Harmony Starter Kit. This 20 page long booklet will help you become more aware of your space giving tips and ideas to build a stronger connection with your home.
You can book a 15 minute long free discovery call or book an hour long informal chat with me where you can Ask Me Anything related to your design problem.
And if you feel ready to work with me have a look at here in what way I can help you.
Have a fab day,
Marianna
