Home Office Refresh: Creating the Perfect Setup for Unstoppable Productivity

It has no doubt been a while since you first started working from home and had to transform an area of your home into a productivity hub. But when was the last time you closely reassessed whether your work space was helping your productivity during the day or becoming an unhelpful distraction that's taking over your home and you just can’t switch off?

Talking to an increasing number of people it’s becoming clear to us that work spaces at home can easily become a critical challenge for many, so periodically reassessing your location and set up can really make a difference.? A study by the American Psychological Association highlights the significance of home based workspace design on productivity, indicating that a well-organised and personalised workspace can significantly enhance focus, motivation, and efficiency. It sounds obvious but with this in mind, creating the perfect home office setup becomes essential for those looking to thrive in a remote working environment, so here is our checklist for creating the right environment for you:

?15 step checklist for Optimising Your Home Office Environment

1. Dedicated Space: It sounds obvious but where possible choose a specific area in your home solely for work, separating professional tasks from personal spaces to minimise distractions.? If you have to use a shared space, when you finish, think about packing away your desk and laptop, whatever helps you switch off.
2. Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in ergonomic furniture, especially chairs and desks, to promote comfort and prevent strain. The Cornell University Ergonomics Web suggests that adjustable furniture can significantly reduce the risk of back pain and musculoskeletal problems.
3. Natural Lighting: Position your workspace to benefit from natural light, which, according to a report by the Harvard Business Review, can boost mood and energy, directly impacting work performance.
4. Minimalist Design: Keep your workspace clutter-free. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that clutter can overwhelm the visual cortex, hindering the brain's ability to process information and focus.
5. Greenery and Plants: Incorporate plants into your office space. Research from the University of Exeter demonstrates that plants can increase workplace satisfaction by 40%, enhance air quality, and reduce stress.
6. Personal Touches: Add personal items that inspire and motivate you, such as artwork or family photos, to make the space uniquely yours and enhance creativity.
7. Technology Upgrades: Ensure you have the necessary technological tools and fast internet connection to work efficiently. This includes noise-cancelling headphones, a reliable laptop, and any specialized software required for your tasks.
8. Sound Management: Consider the acoustics of your space. Background noise can be managed with white noise machines or soft music to help maintain focus, as supported by research in the Journal of Consumer Research.
9. Appropriate Colour Scheme: Choose calming or invigorating colours for your workspace. According to colour psychology, blue hues can stimulate the mind, green can promote relaxation, and yellow can inspire creativity.
10. Regular Breaks and Movement: Integrate opportunities for physical activity into your day. The Pomodoro Technique suggests working for focused intervals (usually 25 minutes) followed by a short break, encouraging movement and relaxation to prevent burnout.
11. Regulate Temperature: A comfortable working temperature is crucial for maintaining focus and efficiency. The Helsinki University of Technology's Laboratory for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning found that performance increases with temperatures up to 21-22°C (69.8-71.6°F), beyond which productivity starts to decline.
12. Adequate Storage Solutions: Keep your workspace tidy and organised with sufficient storage options. Shelving units, filing cabinets, or even digital organisation tools can reduce physical and visual clutter, making it easier to focus on the task at hand.
13. Invest in Good Lighting: In addition to natural light, ensure you have high-quality artificial lighting to prevent eye strain and maintain focus. The Illuminating Engineering Society recommends task lighting that can be adjusted to reduce glare on computer screens and illuminate reading materials without casting shadows.
14. Limit Distractions: Use tools or apps to limit digital distractions. Turn on "do not disturb" on your phone to prevent distractions. Tailor your Teams' notifications to ensure only the most pertinent alerts reach you, helping you stay on track with your tasks.
15. Create a Schedule and Stick to It: Establishing a consistent work schedule can help separate work from personal time, promoting a healthier work-life balance. The American Psychological Association suggests that routines can enhance feelings of control, improve focus, and reduce stress.

?Creating an optimal home office is more than just a physical transformation; it's about creating an environment that enhances well-being, efficiency, and productivity. This is why it's so important to regularly use this checklist to ensure your optimising your productivity at home.

Happy checking!