This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.

Working from home is awesome in so many ways: the freedom to wear what you want, eat when you want, play your own music, and skip the drama from workplace colleagues. But carving out a workspace at home can be tough, especially if you don't exactly have an entire extra room that you can dedicate as a home office. Without the physical separation of a door that you can close, the separation between family and work life can be blurred...especially if you’re a mother also caring for your kids as you work. Still, I personally don't think that it's necessary to have an official "office." This post is being written on my laptop from my bed, but I don't always blog from here. Sometimes you'll find me at the sofa, at the dining table, or sitting outside on one of our deck chairs, typing away while my kids play in the backyard. Some days, my office might even be a coffee shop.  For me, it's ideal to have a portable "office" instead of one specific place. I actually feel like the flexibility and change of scenery makes me generally enjoy working from home more. But still, whether you like having a dedicated workplace or you enjoy moving around, there are a few things anyone needs in order to stay focused while working from home.

1. A Clean Space with Fresh Air

If your home is chaotic and messy, it's hard to work without feeling distracted and overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done. Clearing off surfaces and vacuuming the floors will go a long ways towards an environment that's conducive to getting work done. But that's not all. Air quality also plays a big role in keeping us alert, focused, and happy. Ideally, you could open a window and let some fresh air in. But if that's not possible, consider buying an air purifier. This is especially helpful if your home office is in a basement or closet where the air is stuffy or musty. Look for one with a high-efficiency HEPA filter to collect dust and a negative ioniser to counter the positive ions created by the digital equipment you use during the day. Fresher air will help you relax and feel comfortable during the day, even in the most humble home office.

2. A Clutter-free Desktop

If you don't have the luxury of a big room and a sprawling desktop, it’s important to only keep out what you actually need and use. Otherwise, the little space you've carved out will quickly get cluttered. For me, a laptop, a notepad, a pen, and a cup of coffee is all I truly need to work efficiently. I don't have a desktop computer or a landline phone. I keep my printer in a closet, for the few times when I need it. I use a scanner app instead of a bulky machine. And if I ever needed to fax something, I could use fax online services--no need for an actual fax machine.

3. A Reliable Environment

If there's something you absolutely need for your work to go well, then prioritize that. For me, I need a good and reliable WiFi connection and the ability to keep an eye on my kids while I work. Since I normally try to write during their naptimes, a baby monitor helps me feel confident that they're ok, so I can focus whether I'm in my bedroom across the hall or downstairs in the dining room.

4. Comfortable Ergonomics

I already admitted that I sometimes write while I'm in bed or lounging on the sofa. But I have to admit, this probably isn't the best setup for my body. Proper ergonomics is something that most of us who work from home can probably improve. Ideally, your monitor should be around two feet in front of your face, with the top of the monitor around eye level. It should feel as though you don't have to crane or bend your neck in order to get a good viewing position. Your arms should lay on your desk and keyboard with around 90 degrees at your elbows, resting comfortably. Your chair should support your lumbar and keep you supported. Heavily padded chairs--like my sofa--aren't actually the most comfortable after a long time. That’s why most ergonomic chairs have relatively sturdy bases. A standing desk can also be a great option if you have the space.

5. Elements that Signal "Work"

It's worth setting up some elements that make your "office" (whatever that is) feel more like a professional zone within your home. Little routines can signal to your brain and your body that this is work time, which will help you be more productive and less distracted. Change out of your PJs. Play a certain playlist that helps you focus. Set "work hours" and stick to your schedule. Invest in a really great coffee machine. Close out of all the other tabs on your computer that are unrelated to work, like your Netflix show from last night or the shoes you were contemplating buying. Separating work and play in this manner can help you better divide them.

I've never had a "real" dedicated home office, but honestly, I don't even want one. There's no reason that a humble home office can't be just as good--or better.

Name, please

Email (hidden)

URL, if you wish

Comment