Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a small business owner, working from home is an excellent way to be productive in a familiar environment. Sitting down to work at home comes with some challenges, however, including creating a suitable space to support your productivity. If you’re unsatisfied with your existing home office, or if you’d like to invest in making your workspace even better, a few upgrades can make all the difference.
Check out five of the easiest ways to make your home workplace into a productive office.
Look at Your Technology
The clearest opportunity for upgrades lies in the technology you use to stay connected and productive in your home office. Consider the age and current capabilities of your hardware, such as the computer you use, its monitor, and even your speakers. As videoconferencing continues to rise in popularity, investing in an improved webcam may be a smart move, too. Each of these items enhances your productivity while making your space cleaner and more enjoyable to use.
Improve Your Seating
When you primarily work from home, you spend a lot of time sitting at your desk, which is what lends so much importance to your choice of seating. An uncomfortable seat at a poorly arranged desk won’t inspire you to put in the hours required to grow your business or impress your clients.
Take this opportunity to invest in seating that encourages good posture and provides the support you need throughout the workday. You may also want to consider a standing desk. They aren’t just trendy—there are several potential benefits to their use, including reduced back pain and better circulation.
Keep Important Papers Orderly and Accessible
Working from home creates a paperwork paradox. Because your office is in your own space, you may assume that you’ll have a simple time keeping track of relevant paperwork. However, papers might “leave the office” as you carry them around the house. Before long, documents aren’t where you expect them.
Digitizing documents into a searchable format is a simple way to create backup copies and find what you need more quickly. The right software solutions, such as Kofax Power PDF, represent a significant upgrade to your filing capabilities.
When you can quickly scan new paperwork to PDF and immediately access full-text copy without manually typing an entire page, you gain a permanent digital record and a simpler way to find, edit, and share critical papers. Upgrading your document handling software also serves as an opportunity to consider your needs for tasks such as scanning and printing, since you’ll need the right hardware at home to transition between physical and digital copies.
Reduce Eye Strain with Better Lighting
Spending the whole day working from home can leave you with a headache by the time the sun begins to set. Whether through staring at a computer screen all day or switching back and forth between a monitor and another device, eye strain is a real problem for many work-from-home professionals. Upgrading your office lighting is a simple way to mitigate this problem.
Rely on task lighting solutions such as desk lamps as often as you can. Avoid fluorescent and replace it with lighting that’s kinder on the eyes. Keep your computer screen brightness adjusted to an appropriate level, perhaps with help from software designed to adjust the screen’s color temperature during the day.
Don’t Forget the Personal Touches
If all you do is focus on accumulating materials related to your work, it won’t take long before your home office is as drab and boring as an undecorated cubicle. While you’re upgrading your computer, finding new software, and picking out perfect seating, reach for your favorite photos and personal objects, too. A space that feels comfortably your own will have you looking forward to settling into your work every morning.
Make the Most of Working from Home
As you develop a better home workspace, remain focused on your true goal: creating a space that inspires creativity and productivity. Implementing the appropriate upgrades will enhance your experience and make it simpler to achieve your goals by the close of each workday. Give yourself the tools for success and explore all the ways to upgrade your home office today.
