Every Sex and the City fanatic would agree with us when we say Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw had such a fun job. Not only did she write a witty and entertaining column and went to fabulous places for research, she also had the luxury of working from the comforts of her home.
More and more people are now opting to work from home and they are doing it for various reasons. Some do it to maintain a healthy balance between work and life and others do it for health or family reasons. Quite a few new mothers often choose to work from home so that they can be around their babies and have a fulfilling career as well. After all, it's a win-win situation, isn't it?
Numerous people also prefer working from home as it eliminates the commute troubles, especially at a time when every city has its set of traffic woes.
Sure, working from home can be nice and comforting but like everything else, it too has a flip side. There could be many distractions such as your children trying to get your attention or the tendency to attend to household chores. So if you too find yourself being distracted, which in turn lowers your productivity, we suggest you create yourself a nice and lively home office. Here are a few tips.
Dedicated work space
While Carrie worked from pretty much all the corners of her house, her work table, her bed, the couch, and even restaurants, it is always much better to have a dedicated space, preferably with a soothing view and a lot of natural light. Also, a corner away from the TV and the gaming console will help you focus.
"It helps me easily get into the work mode and my workspace has everything you would find in a regular office. Having a separate area for work also makes it much easier to switch off once you are done for the day," Krysten Morgan, who has been working from home for 3 years now, says.
Good and comfortable furniture
While many people might have the habit of cuddling up on the couch or bed and working, investing in some good and comfortable furniture goes a long way. A spacious desk with drawers and cabinets helps you stay organised and keep your space free of clutter. A comfortable chair is also a must as you will not be distracted by issues like back pain.
Conceal bulky equipment and wires
Bulky equipment and messed up wires can be quite an eyesore. They not only make the workspace look untidy but also are quite a distraction. You could place the equipment closer to the power outlets and away from the centre of the desk so that the focal point looks neat and spacious. Wire organisers are quite a saviour when it comes to those unsightly cords.
Stock up on stationery
Stock up on all the stationery you would require right from pens, pencils, highlighters, paper clips, board pins, scissors and so on and keep them handy. Getting up from your workspace repetitively, to look for stationary is not just distracting, but also wastes a lot of time.
Add some colour
We cannot stress on this enough. Adding some colour and personalising your workspace has a very soothing effect and boosts creativity. It also has a soothing effect on the eye and helps de-stress. You could also add fancy lamps, photo frames and indoor plants to make the workspace a fun corner.
