How to Create a Home Workspace That Works for You
Working successfully from home does not necessarily mean carving out an entirely separate office space to tackle your 9-to-5 hustle. Even if you do not have a whole room to dedicate to a home office, you can still carve out a workspace that supports you to be productive and creative during your billable hours—and that lets you seamlessly tidy up to enjoy your home during your free time. If you are wondering how to achieve such a setup, look no further than the tips below.
EVALUATE YOUR SPACE
Before determining where to set up your makeshift home workspace, you'll want to evaluate your home with regard to two criteria.
For one, it is important to understand where in your home you feel most productive. Second, it is also key to consider how to maximize the function of existing spaces in your home, such as a kitchen nook or guest bedroom.
CONSIDER HOW YOU WORK
An at-home setup that pleases your boss or roommate may not be the perfect match for your own work preferences.
Consider your specific needs and habits when deciding how to arrange your space. Have you stopped to consider what your vision of joyful work includes?
Think through whether you see yourself as a solitary writer on the couch or a host of virtual meetings using a standing desk with a camera.
Only then can you move forward with layout decisions? Once you understand the role you see yourself in for your workday, you can craft a space around how to support that.
START SMALL
Sometimes a good corner can be the perfect area to create a designated work-from-home area. Take on the challenge to transform a small space and push your level of creativity.
STAY ORGANIZED
When you are setting up shop in a room that is used for multiple purposes, do not let your workstation overpower the space.
For example, if choosing to work from the dining room, staying organized and keeping to one area will allow you to associate that specific area with work and productivity while the other area is for dining.
MAKE IT SPECIAL
Additionally, when working in a spot that does serve multiple purposes, try to separate work and life using this trick.
If you are using a shared space like the kitchen table to work, create a ritual every day where you clear off the table from breakfast and bring in your work supplies.
Of course, this does not need to be too extensive of a process—it is simple rituals that will make all the difference.