Starting your own business and working from home can carry much appeal, so much so that we often overlook the reality of merging your home and working environments.
What may seem easy to manage, gradually causes problems over time, as you blur the lines between your personal and work life, struggling to keep the two distinctly separate.
By thinking carefully about the environment of your home office space and by making a few small tweaks, you can better set yourself up for success from the outset.
To understand what you need to make your offer space work for you, you will likely benefit from knowing what helps you focus and what hinders your concentration. Ultimately your home office should be a space which you look forward to spending time in each day.
Keep this in mind whilst you heed the important points outlined below.
Enclosed Space
A significant requirement for your office should be that it is a dedicated space which is enclosed. This enables you to shut doors, block out noise and create a physical boundary between your work and home life.
Moreover, you would do well to ensure your room is as far away from your home’s social areas as possible. Better still, build your own garden office which will be a dedicated room and completely separate from your actual home.
Let in the Light
Exposure to natural light is essential for producing feel good hormones and can do wonders for elevating your mood and improving your focus. If you home office is somewhat lacking in natural light, you can create more with a few simple changes.
Replace your internal doors with glazed panels ones, to ensure the maximum of natural light can enter your working space. You can also paint the walls white to help reflect light around the room and change curtains for blinds, to allow as much light to come in through the windows.
Where this isn’t possible, add extra light by way of lamps and/or spot lights.
A Room with a View
If you have a choice of where in your home you create your office space, choose wisely. Ideally opt for a room which has a view of the outside and place office furniture so that you are facing this when at your desk.
Where this isn’t possible, you might like to create an inspiring focal point which you associate with feeling calm, inspired and focused. This may be a piece of artwork, a water feature, a famous quote, a graphic representation of your business vision or anything else that triggers those feelings.
Comfort Is Key
Even if you are working to a tight budget, be mindful of scrimping on elements that will aid you daily comfort. If you feel uncomfortable in your office chair, you are more likely to easily lose focus.
Therefore, organise your budget in line with what is important and essential for your daily comfort when working at home each day.
Another important aspect of feeling comfortable is neither being too hot or too cold. When planning your space, invest in adequate heating and ventilation controls to keep your comfort and concentration at its best.
Limit Distraction
Whilst it may seem practical to double up your home office with your chill-out space, music room or other hobby type space, you may want to think twice.
Being surrounded by distractions will soon lead to a wandering mind and the temptation to do something else, especially when you are undertaking one of your least favourite tasks.
Ensure your home office space is dedicated to being only that and nothing else.
