8 Steps to Building a Functional and Productive Workplace

Your company may have chosen to transition into a work-from-home setup. Or perhaps you want to start a freelance career.

Regardless, this requires having a space where you can work in peace.

It can be a quiet corner in your bedroom, the kitchen counter, or a vacant room. Nonetheless, it has to be functional and conducive to work. That way, you can be productive and get things done.

If you want to achieve that kind of home office, do not worry. In this post, we will share eight tips on how you can build a functional and productive workplace at home.

• Identify Where Your Workspace Will Be

Of course, the first step in building a functional and productive workplace is to identify where you will be.

You can start by figuring out which room or corner you are going to occupy. And then bring in your work desk and decorate it as you please.

You can even choose to set up your home office for a good Feng Shui. To do this, you can hire a consultant or follow these general rules:

1. Move your desk as far from the door as possible.
2. Make sure you are facing the door.
3. Place your desk diagonally from the door so that you won’t block the energy flow.

In addition, create a space that invites positive energy. It can be an artwork that exudes happiness, wall art of motivational words, or a photo of you and your family.

• Add Some Indoor Plants

Whether you have a big window or facing the wall, having a houseplant can help you have a productive workplace.

For one, an indoor plant is believed to improve indoor air quality. This is also ideal if you are in a windowless room.

Second, it helps improve your focus and productivity by 15%.

Working from home means that we spend most of our time indoors. Hence, we are exposed to higher amounts of carbon dioxide. Higher levels of CO2 make it challenging for users to concentrate and think clearly. Our foggy brain also makes it difficult for us to make decisions.

Luckily, plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. This helps balance the CO2 levels in our bodies.

• Update the Wall Colors

Other than plants, your wall colors can also impact your productivity.

In case you are unaware, colors can incite emotions or set the mood of any room. As such, it would be best to repaint your wall with something that boosts focus and productivity.

Here are some excellent examples of wall colors:

1. Blue: Encourage better mind flow and performance.
2. Orange: Improves focus, concentration, and creativity.
3. Green: Has a calming effect and helps relieve stress, allowing you to think from a better perspective.

Why not paint the wall white instead?

Sure, you can do that. However, plain white can get boring over time. Depending on the kind of paint you use (e.g., glossy, eggshell, or matte), it can reflect light, which can cause headache or eye strain if you are not careful.

• Have Sufficient Lighting

Your workspace must have sufficient lighting. Thus, we recommend that you place your desk near a window. Doing so ensures that you are receiving as much sunlight as possible.

Nonetheless, you can use the right artificial light. We suggest installing a yellow-case illumination. That’s because it’s in-between the warm and cool spectrums.

Another thing you should be mindful of is where you place your light. Do not place your light overhead on your computer screen or in front of you. That way, you can avoid glare that can lead to eyestrain and headache.

• Make it Ergonomic

The secret to a functional home office is to have practical yet comfortable work essentials.

You can start by bringing in an ergonomic office table and chair. These are furniture pieces that look sleek yet functional. Meaning, you can still have ample space to work without taking up too much space.

Ergonomic furniture pieces are ideal if you have limited space. In addition, it ensures comfort. That way, you can work without incurring backache and sore shoulders.

• Make Room for Essentials

In addition to bringing in ergonomic furniture pieces, it is also vital that you make room for essential work tools.

What is “essential” for you may differ, depending on the nature of your work. For a freelance writer, that would mean a large computer monitor and keyboard. But for a graphics designer, that would be a screen, keyword, and a drawing tablet.

If you have printed documents that you cannot, consider having a file organizer and paper shredder. That way, you are not piling paper clutter.

• Contain the Cable Mess

Your home office may look clean and organized, but your cables can still create visual clutter. Thus, you must contain them.

It is not just because it reduces distraction, but it also prevents accidents. You will never know when a wire can trip you.

That said, here are three ways to tame the wire and cable mess:

1. Store all unused electronics and only bring out what you often use (i.e., cell phone charger). That way, you are not making too much of a mess of wires and cables.
2. Consider using wireless and Bluetooth gadgets. Doing so lessens the number of wires that you need to manage.
3. Hide your cables. You can use cable hooks or tubing to contain them in one space. Another option is to buy a box where your wires can go through without looking hideous.

• Keep it Clutter-Free

Here’s the thing: You do not need to renovate your house or have a bedroom makeover to have a functional and productive workspace. Often, it boils down to keep it clean.

At Cleaning Exec Cleaning Services NYC, here are some quick cleaning tips we share with our clients:

1. Wipe your office table before and after work. This is to ensure that you are starting and finishing the day with a clean slate.
2. Only place essential items on your table. This varies on the nature of your work, but the rationale here is to make your tools accessible without causing any distraction.
3. Avoid eating on your work desk. First, it is not a good habit to build. Second, you can leave food crumbs, inviting ants and other critters.
4. Dedicate a space for non-digital work. You can place another table where you do all your paperwork. Other options are installing bookshelves or a file cabinet and having a file organizer on your table.

If you are not the kind who is keen to clean and organize your space, the key is to make as little clutter as possible. Go paperless, have a trash bin nearby, and make sure to empty it when you “clock out.”

You may have heard this before, but an organized home office is a productive home office. So, if you want to be an effective employee or entrepreneur, consider following the tips listed above. That way, you can work and get things done with ease.