This site has an affiliation with IAP career College and Sitesell, and some links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase something I may receive a small payment. This is at no cost to you.
Since all the drama and lockdowns of the Covid era have ended, the family home has increasingly become more than just a place to relax and unwind. For many, it serves as the hub of their business operations. Crafting a home workspace that’s conducive to productivity°, creativity, where focus is not just an added luxury; it’s a necessity!
In this article, I will look at the multi-faceted approach needed to develop such a space, sidestepping the conventional reliance on numbers and metrics for a more qualitative discussion. Let’s dive in.
Selecting Your Peaceful Work Haven.
Choosing the right location for your workspace can be problematic. It is more than simply a matter of convenience; 6 or 7 steps to the kitchen and the coffee making machine is probably not a good place.
While the coffee making machine may be welcome, there is going to be other distractions coming from the kitchen, kids in and out of the fridge, or your partner making something. You need a place just for you to sustain focus and productivity.
It is easy to say “Ensure the area is well-lit and has adequate ventilation to create a comfortable environment.” But, there are quite a few variables that come into play.
Connecting with Experts
You may want to get a builder° or some other third party and explain what you intend doing. If you are into it, perhaps have a Feng Shui expert come around and give their ideas. That is not as far fetched as it sounds as many interior designers, and builders have a good understanding of Feng Shui and are more than happy to explain how it can be applied to your situation.
Like I say, the possibility of variables can be many or very few. You may already have a spare room and maybe just want some extra electrical points installed.
If it is a relatively easy solution, you can do this using a home maintenance and repair app (depending where in the world you live), to connect with expert contractors who can make setting up your home office seamless.
Want an electrician? Simply use the app to ask an electrician for an estimate and schedule the work at your convenience. This approach ensures your workspace meets your requirements, enhancing both comfort and productivity.
If you are not qualified for any building related tasks, please don’t try to be a DIY guy. Often the job will cost more than than what it would if you had used a professional, and work involving electricity is dangerous.
Any expenses are likely to be tax deductable anyway, so you may as well get it right from the get go.
Space Assessment for Growth
It doesn’t hurt to °plan ahead for your space requirements, even though it may be a couple of years before you require it.
Currently you may not need anything more than a laptop, a desk and comfortable chair and some shelving. But, if you took it one step further and included, for example: a dedicated space for video conferencing, then you have given yourself possibly a few years without the worry of additional expense and interrupting the smooth running your household including your work space.
Adding Personal Touches for Inspiration
While efficiency is key, your workspace doesn’t have to be all bare walls with “To Do sticky notes” looking at you. There are no rules that say you cannot add personal touches like photographs, inspirational quotes, or artwork to provide that subtle emotional boost during stressful times.
However, clutter is the enemy of productivity; thus, moderation° is the key. Think of a painter who keeps a single, inspiring painting on the wall but avoids cluttering the studio with countless distractions.
Mastering Your Workspace Organization
This is where the rubber hits the road. The concept of “a place for everything and everything in its place” is not just an old saying; it’s practical advice that businesses have followed for decades because it directly affects your efficiency°
If you planned your office well, then all of this should fall seamlessly into place.
- Well-labeled shelves
- Designated spaces for electronics
- A clean desk can save you the headache of hunting for things when you need them the most.
These days there are “Decluttering courses” and “Time management courses” which have become popular over the past few years and are worth having a look at.
Setting Boundaries with Your Family.
Mixing business with your personal life is a potential recipe for chaos. Probably more than a potential receipe actually. Kids at home being kids, and mum trying to sort them out.
A workspace is only as effective as the boundaries set around it. That soundproofing you put inside the walls will at best reduce excessive outside noise to a dull roar.
While a conversation with family might seem trivial, constant interruptions are going to lead to dwindling productivity.
°°Talk to your loved ones about your needs when you’re working from home, set your boundaries, maybe offer incentives if you have to. Kids can be contrarian and often see threats as an invitation. 😉
Healthy Fuel for Productivity.
As I mentioned above having your dedicated office a few steps away from the kitchen is not the greatest of ideas. Some may disagree, and I used to hear from time to time, because our company’s office had the lunch room, coffee making machine, microwave etc; at the opposite end of the work stations. Some of the reasons being, among other things:
- It allows employees to step away from their work and take a mental and physical break.
- Hygiene and amenity. All the food scraps are in one area.
- The crumbs get in keyboards and other electronics, decreasing the useful life to some extent.
- Make the office cleaners job easier.
Not everyone agrees with this though. However it comes back to stepping back from the glare of a computer screen. I liked to go across to a park and have my lunch there.
However if your at home then you may want to Stock up your workspace with nutritious snacks, refueling you to keep going without unnecessary breaks. If this is you maybe consider the impact of substituting a candy bar with a fruit bowl — sugar crashes are replaced by sustained energy, better focus, and eventually, higher productivity.
Seeing your Plan Come Together.
Creating the ideal home workspace is less about ad-hoc solutions and more about a strategic approach tailored to your specific needs and work style.
Attention to detail, from the location and boundaries to aesthetics and organization, can have a marked impact on your productivity and, ultimately, your success as a business owner.
By adopting these guidelines, you are not just assembling furniture and gadgets; you are creating a foundation for your professional life to flourish. Getting the right balance between personal comfort and business efficacy is achievable, right within the four walls of your home.
References/Further Information:
- Conducive to productivity
- Building ideas
- Planning ahead for space requirements.
- De-cluttering courses.
- °Moderation in Interior design.
- Efficiency for remote workers.
- °°Family conversations for remote workers.
Again: This site has an affiliation with IAP career College and Sitesell, and some links in this article are affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase something I may receive a small payment. This is at no cost to you.
