With so many of us now working from home, we find ourselves searching for space to call our own so we can still perform the work that is required of us. Whether your household consists of just you, you and a significant other or roommate, or you and your children, finding your little corner of productivity isn’t always easy! We, too, have had to make some changes within our four walls as our respective families of five get used to our new ‘norm’.
When we aren’t on appointments with clients, we are frequently working from our own home office space. But having our entire families at home all day, every day, has led to new challenges. Namely, where the heck does everyone go to do their work? And since we can’t necessarily just pick up and move to a new house with an office for each of us, we have to get creative and make the best of the space we have. So if you find yourself in need of some inspiration, read on! We’ve put together some great ideas for how to create productive workspaces for you.
Here are few tips to keep in mind when setting up workspaces within your home, to help keep the peace while we perform remote tasks for work and our students switch to an e-learning platform:
- NATURAL LIGHT: When possible, set up your workspace near natural light. Studies show that when we work near a window or natural light, productivity goes up and we benefit from less eye strain and fewer headaches. It boosts energy and decreases drowsiness. Some of our students will no longer be working within the required set school hours. Teenagers especially tend to gravitate toward a later wake-up time, frequently resulting in a later bedtime. Encouraging them to work when the sun is up could help keep them on a more regular schedule!
- LOCATION: Maybe you will choose to convert a landing or wide hallway into a work zone, reconfigure your living room or rec room so one wall can be lined with small workspaces, convert a closet into a private productivity space, or set everyone up at the dining room table! The possibilities are endless! We would suggest speaking with each member of your family to determine whether they would prefer to be close to or separated from others when completing their office or school work, then start getting creative!
- CREATIVE SOLUTIONS: Not all of us have the obvious solutions on hand for our workspace/desk area. Here are some budget-friendly suggestions to help create a productive space:
- Two filing cabinets or milk crates topped with a board
- A small table you’ve been keeping in storage that you can convert to a desk
- Set up shop each morning at the coffee/kitchen/dining room table. Just remember to disassemble at the end of the day!
- If your space requirements are minimal, use a lap desk on your bed or the couch.
- PRODUCTIVITY: Juggling multiple schedules under the same roof can surely lead to some headaches. Here are some great suggestions to keep things in check. Setting boundaries is a must! Whenever possible, work within set hours, leaving time for loved ones and time for you! Be sure and take some mental and physical breaks throughout your day. Fit in a quick workout at lunchtime, take the dog for a walk around your neighborhood, throw a family dance party in the living room, or sign up for an online yoga class. Communicate with your housemates! Find out which children need help with school work, and when your significant other has scheduled conference calls. Be respectful of each other’s needs to help keep the peace! Another great suggestion is time-blocking. When working from home, it can be easy to get distracted. Laundry, dishes, bathrooms, meals, etc still all need attention. Share the tasks with others to help ensure deadlines for school and work are still met.
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Have you created a work-from-home area that is effective for your family? We'd love you to share it with us, and invite you to post a photo on our Facebook page.
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