How to Set Up Your Home Office to Maximize Productivity

The regular nine-to-five grind isn't what it used to be. There are now millions of Americans who work remotely, many of whom are part of the freelance economy. This has brought about a newfound concern for optimizing the home workspace. If this is something you're interested in, read on for some tips on how to set up your home office to maximize productivity!

Lighting

This one's a no-brainer. Lighting plays an integral role in boosting productivity. In fact, a study by Michigan State University found that spending time in dim areas can significantly impact the brain's ability to remember and absorb information. This is why poor lighting in your home office will undoubtedly cause problems when you work, as it can lead to a dip in your productivity. So how do you avoid this? Well, you'll need to have an appropriate amount of light by using lamps and other artificial light sources. An even better option is making use of natural lighting. If you can spare the space, you should really consider situating your home office in a room with a window, as it can greatly enhance the amount of natural light. This is important because daylight is a much cheaper and more evenly balanced source of light as compared to artificial sources.

Decoration

Aside from lighting, there are other ways to boost productivity. Motivation is a big factor in this regard, and a quick way to get motivated is through some simple decorations. Inc.com highlights how sprucing up the office can boost your productivity by around 30%, as it gives you something to stare at other than bare walls. This is in line with studies conducted by psychologists from Exeter University, which links office plants with an increase in workplace productivity. Indeed, small things like this can boost your mental state and affect your output. This is crucial for your work, as psychologists from Maryville University highlight the crucial relationship between mental health and productivity, going so far as to say that being in a good place mentally can help people achieve business objectives. A few things you can add to your home office to help facilitate this would be wall art or houseplants. If you're feeling up to it, you can even check out our article on DIY Office Decorations so that you can add a personal touch to your home workspace.

Privacy

People work best when they're in an environment that is quiet and free from distractions. The Atlantic details how peace and quiet can boost your overall productivity, particularly for tasks that require a significant amount of cognitive ability or ones that require intensive thinking. Now, this can be quite hard to achieve, especially if you live with children or other people. However, there are some ways to get around this issue. One quick fix would be to install dividers that will help with isolating your workspace from people that are wandering about. Another tip would be to invest in noise-cancelling headphones that you can use to block outside noise. Lastly, hanging up some signs that remind people of your active work hours will go a long way towards ensuring that you have the privacy and quiet that you need.

Ready to work from home but don't have enough space? Let's check "get a home office" off your 2020 to-do list. Contact a Mortgage Advisor today for more info!

Article written in partnership with Jomarie Burks