Home Office Checklist
For those working from a home office there are a number of tips to enhance your work space and thereby increase productivity.
The ideal workspace should be: A dedicated space with a nice view and no noise that has the right temperature and good lighting, with some plants and fresh air.
Below we will shortly discuss each of the elements of your ideal workspace.
1. Dedicated Space…
You should have one space that is fully dedicated to work. This does not have to be a seperate room but ideally this would be a space that you don’t use frequently for other activities than working. In particular, try to avoid using a bedroom as the bedroom should be reserved for downtime and rest only.
2. With a Nice View…
The view from your desk can really help stimulate thought and creativity. It is especially good to have a view to the outside, as seeing the outdoors is stimulating and reassuring. Also, the contrasting distance of a view is good for eyesight. Therefore, where possible set up your space in front of or next to a window. If being positioned near a window isn’t possible, you can use mirrors or lighting to achieve a similar result.
3. And No Noise…
It is important to not be bothered by noise while working. In a home office environment, we can’t control external noise from neighbours or nearby roads, but there are still measures we can take to reduce the impact of noise, for example:
● Insulate or thicken walls and floors.
● Use soft furnishings such as a rug to soften and absorb noise such as impact from footsteps. This will also clarify sound on work calls by absorbing echo.
● Place acoustic wall panels can be fixed inside or outside your workspace (depending on noise source) to absorb noise and reduce echo.
4. That Has the Right Temperature …
The ideal temperature is personal but should be neither too hot, nor too cold. Cooler is preferable than warmer for concentration, as the temperature above 27 degrees impair concentration. The ideal temperature is 20 degrees celsius.
5. And Good Lighting…
Lighting is key for creating the right ambience and avoiding eye strain. Choose the right “colour” or wavelength bulb to suit your needs. The best wavelengths are of course from natural daylight. Natural day light or light sources that imitate natural daylight optimises appearance on video calls. Natural daylight is good for plants too.
Also, use quality task-lighting such as a desk lamp or recessed down-lights.
You might want to use smart light bulbs or a computer app to adjust the wavelength of screens and match light output to our body’s circadian rhythm.
6. With Some Plants…
Plants bring many positives to a workplace and are known to enhance wellness by reducing stress and increasing happiness, creativity, and productivity. Also, plants filter toxins and improve air quality. Moreover, plants are an additional way to improve a space visually, reinforcing a desired impression during video calls.
7. And Fresh Air.
Fresh air through good ventilation is known to improve cognitive performance and health. Either keep a steady trickle of air coming in or open the window periodically throughout the day for a few minutes.
