The Importance of a Designated Workspace at Home

If you’re a home worker you’ll know that one of the huge benefits of this lifestyle is that you can literally work anywhere. In today’s mobile society, laptops, PDAs and wireless technology mean we can log on and tune in almost anywhere, from coffee shops to the gym. While it’s great for your sanity to get a change of scene, we recommend that for optimum productivity while you’re at home, a designated workspace will work best for you.

Health...

It can sometimes be oh so tempting to grab the laptop and cosy up in a comfy chair with the TV for company. On cold days there’s nothing like the allure of a warm bed to have you diving back in, PDA in one hand, cup of tea in the other. While these options sound great, work wise, they aren’t going to get the best out of you. Slouching in a chair or sitting propped up by pillows isn’t good for your health, and long-term you may be setting yourself up for back, neck and shoulder problems. An ergonomic chair is a much better bet, and a desk will ensure laptops and computers are situated in the best possible position.

...and Wellbeing

Aside from the physical benefits of setting yourself up with a suitable desk, chair and mouse, you’ll also find you’re mentally better off. Balancing a laptop on your knee can be maddening, particularly if you constantly need to refer to paperwork or answer the phone. Before long you can find you’ve drowned your sofa and the surrounding area in folders and piles of disorganised documents. To stay sane, get yourself a filing system and some drawers or trays to contain your bits and pieces. You’ll find you’re a lot more productive if you have everything you need at your fingertips.

A Room of One’s Own

If you’re at home with children or demanding partners a home office is simply essential. A closed door says ‘go away and leave me in peace’ and you’ll be much better able to dictate your availability. You’ll also be hidden away from blaring music, arguments and the everyday comings and goings that have you wondering what’s happening in the rest of the house. An office or study can be a child and pet-free zone, too, where all your work station and documents remain out of harm’s way.

Honey, I’m Home

Keeping your work to a designated room or area has the added benefit of keeping the rest of your house feeling like the homely haven you need after a long day’s work. As a home worker it’s easy to stop appreciating your home, and you might even be sick of the sight of it before very long. There’s nothing like arriving home from the office and closing your front door on the world – you need not miss out on that feeling.

The beauty of working from home is the flexibility that it affords, so do make the most of the fact that you can tailor your hours and handle housework during breaks. You’ll soon find out what works best for you and your family, just make sure that during your working hours you put yourself first.