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The Dos and Don’ts of Upgrading Your Home Workspace on a Budget
Working from home certainly has its perks. The commute couldn’t be better and the coffee’s always fresh. Merging your work and home lives, though, presents unique challenges, mainly having sufficient designated space for professional purposes. Maximize the efficiency and comfort of your work-from-home setup by focusing on inexpensive upgrades that offer significant improvements. Lighthouse Consulting Group shows you how.
- Do Consider Your Job Responsibilities
The types of tasks you perform for work will dictate what equipment you need and how to arrange your workspace. For example, if your job involves frequent video conferencing, it may help to have a second monitor along with ample desk space for note-taking.
If you run your own business from home, consider reducing some of your responsibilities and the cost of hiring more full time employees by using a BPO (business process outsourcing) company. You can outsource your accounting, customer support and more for the tasks and hours needed, and you can trust these companies to provide you with high quality employees, which you don’t have to go through the process of screening and hiring.
- Don’t Let Clutter Take Over
Keep papers and loose desk supplies organized with functional, yet stylish storage systems. Use a combination of shelving and freestanding units to add dimension to your space while leaving all necessary items easily accessible. Cord Busters advises taming and hiding unsightly cables with a cable tidy box.
A space that is simply too small and accumulates clutter quickly can make it difficult to be productive. If your living arrangement fails to accommodate the work space you need, it may be time to look for a new place. Do your research first and check out the housing market of the area you’re considering moving to. Gauging the prices of property is a bit tricky at the moment, so be sure the information you’re sourcing is up to date and reliable.
- Do Use an Ergonomic Setup
A computer-based job should not condemn you to a life of neck pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Experts recommend choosing furniture that is designed according to ergonomic principles, such as:
- Chairs with adequate lumbar support
- Footrests that let your feet rest flat and keep your thighs parallel to the floor
- Desks and chairs with adjustable heights to promote good posture
- Sculpted keyboards that reduce wrist strain
You can also find ergonomic office solutions that include a stand up desk. These desks are great for reducing neck and wrist pain, and they encourage activity more than standard seated desks.
- Don’t Just Shop for Brand-New Items
Brand-new office items can be expensive and cheaply made. Instead, scour flea markets, consignment shops, and online marketplaces for deals on high-quality office furniture. This is also a great way to find unique decor that can serve as a conversation piece at your next virtual meeting.
- Do Dabble in DIY When Possible
Even if you’re not particularly handy, you can browse the web for tutorials on easy DIY home office projects. Make a fabric covered notice board or a mason jar tissue holder. Glam up a desk you found secondhand with a fresh coat of paint.
- Don’t Attempt Unrealistic Projects
While simple DIY pursuits are encouraged, don’t get too ambitious and take on a task that may be unsafe. It’s best to hire professionals for complicated projects that require a specific skill set.
- Do Add Your Personality to Your Workspace
Your home office space should reflect who you are personally and professionally. Add family photos, cherished keepsakes, and any meaningful decor that brings you joy and inspires productivity.
- Don’t Forget the Walls
Wall surfaces can be used as additional storage to free up prime floor space. You can also enhance the aesthetics of your space by hanging artwork, painting an accent wall, or applying wallpaper in a bold color or pattern.
Choose the type of wallpaper carefully. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is perfect for beginners who aren’t committed to the concept but want to try it out.
- Do Look Your Best on Video Calls
Paint yourself in a literal positive light during video calls. CNN notes that you can position a ring light behind your computer to brighten your face on camera.
- Don’t Give Yourself More Work With High-Maintenance Plants
Greenery effectively spruces up any space, but plant care can be a hassle. Opt for low-maintenance varieties that can survive and even thrive with little neglect.
You don’t have to spend a lot to create a pleasant at-home workspace. Make simple and affordable tweaks that will infuse happiness and productivity into your workday. You may want to invest into some ergonomic furniture, move to a larger home, or even outsource a few tasks to a BPO company to make your days easier, so you can build in that work/life balance that everyone deserves.
