In an ideal world we would find the perfect work-life balance where none of the stresses of the day sneak outside the office walls. But for some of us the home and office are one and the same. And for others a big project or important meeting means the next day’s prep work makes an appearance at the kitchen table. Whenever you find yourself blurring the lines between work and home it’s important to have a home office space ready and waiting.
Splurge on a good chair
It’s easy to convince yourself that a cheap seat will be comfortable all day when you only test it out for 15 minutes before buying. But the reality of the daily grind means that one quick decision will leave you hurting in the long run. Make sure to invest in a comfortable office seat that will last you through the hard yards. A successful home office will be kitted out with all the furniture essentials from a sturdy desk to filing cabinets and even a bookshelf for the idle hours.
Separate your spaces
A key factor in separating your work and home environments in your mind is having them physically separate. Nina Hendy from The Freelance Collective has been working from home for over a decade and prefers a work space where there are few homely distractions, “I walk out the front door, down a path and unlock a door into a separate space. Having that physical separation makes a huge difference in your approach to your work day.” Find The Freelance Collective on Facebook or Twitter.
Get inspired
The best motivation is a space that makes you feel inspired. Blogger and business consultant Raelyn Tan recommends hanging a large whiteboard on one wall so you have somewhere to brainstorm. A dedicated area for organising your thoughts will keep your days productive. Follow Raelyn on Facebook or Twitter here.
Recognise the difference
At the end of the day working from home is not the same as an office. Sometimes your best bet is not to treat them the same. Rae Graham from XLR8 Health is all about being flexible when working at home, “I don’t treat this as a nine to five job. I wake up, I work, I work around the family and getting kids ready for school.” Find XLR8 Health on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
There’s no such thing as a typical workspace anymore. Take our advice and when the need to work from home hits you’ll be ready.
