The number of small business owners and work from home moms has increased exponentially over the past decade. So it’s no wonder that home offices have made a designer comeback. Working from home has its advantages and can be very rewarding as long as you have an efficient space in which to work.
Parents who are trying to find a healthy balance between their career and their family life often find that an occupation they can pursue from home is a good fit. It can be a challenge to stay focused in a home working situation unless you have a great space to call your own.
Scotthaveson.com, a Seattle real estate expert claims that a functional home office is one of the most desirable features that new home buyers are looking for. If you run your business from home, creating a productive home office should be one of your design priorities.
Choose Your Space
A spare room is an ideal space for you to set up your home office. If you don’t have a separate room, you will need to carefully consider the space that you choose to work in. Your distraction level should be at a minimum. Avoid busy areas in your house like the kitchen or living room where your family or television can be an easy distraction.
Choose a small cubby or corner of a quieter room to set up shop. If there is an area that is not being used but would give you enough space to set up even a small desk, you can claim it for your office.
Set Your Work Hours
Working from home can give you the freedom to set your own schedule. Trying to get important tasks completed during the busy times in your house will quickly become frustrating. Set your work schedule to complement your family activity. Early mornings, while the kids are at school or evenings after the kids are in bed are times when you may be able to concentrate and be more productive.
Desk
A cluttered desk tends to clutter the mind. If you want to be more productive your desk should reflect a sense of organization and purpose. Have a clear In/Out system to help you tackle your tasks in a streamlined way. Keep a notepad to jot down ideas and tasks but get rid of other random papers that can be a distraction to the mind.
Add Plants
Along with decorating in calming colors like greens and greys, you might want to add a few small plants to your work area. The presence of plants can add a certain warmth and hominess to any room. Plants can also increase the oxygen level in your office space, making it easier to stay focused and concentrate on the tasks at hand.
Aromatherapy
If you are having trouble staying focused in your home office you can try a bit of aromatherapy. A light fragrance of lavender or jasmine can help you to stay calm and get into a productive working mind space.
Take Breaks
It can be easy to get into the groove and forget to take time for a break. Setting up your work schedule should be no different than if you were in a rented offsite space. Your eyes and your body needs to take a few minutes every hour to reboot.
Get up and stretch, restock your office supplies or take the dog out for a walk. Taking scheduled breaks can actually help you be more productive and focused throughout your day.
Conclusion
Working at home has some great advantages. Making your own business dreams come true while being able to spend more time with your family is a great privilege. To be successful, you will need to create a productive space where you can get your work done and stay on track.
