Working From Home? Here’s How To Design Your Home Office To Inspire Productivity
PUBLISHED March 23rd, 2024 06:00 pm | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 05:34 pm
Even though the global work-from-home phenomenon started only during COVID-19, we at City Nomads have embraced the remote work culture, from home or anywhere in the world, in true nomadic style. With our “official workplace” being home, we know that working from home can be as productive as being in an office, if not more. We get to work in comfort while accomplishing mundane chores like doing the laundry! Not to mention, we can unwind with our furkids any time of the day, keeping stress at bay. So, take it from us as we share our tried-and-tested tips to design your home office for productivity.
Invest In An Ergonomic Chair
If, like us, you will be working in front of the computer for hours on end, invest in a good chair. Not just any chair with a cushy seat but an ergonomic one that supports the natural ‘S’ curve of your spine and, much preferably, one that comes with an adjustable seat height and armrest. Modern ailments like back pain or stiff shoulders are signs of physical strain, often from prolonged hunching over the computer while seated in an inappropriate chair.
To tackle this issue, I recently had a go at TT Racing’s TT AIRFLEX Ergochair, and it didn’t disappoint. The brand, specialising in high-quality ergonomic gaming chairs, brings its forte to office chairs, offering comfort and style at an approachable price. The chair’s spine-shaped backrest that extends from my lumbar to my neck aligns perfectly, giving me much-needed support in the lower back, while keeping my sitting posture upright. Whenever I need to, its tilt function lets me lean back into a relaxed position, from which I can quickly spring back into action when I’m done. It comes without a headrest, which sometimes can be a little intrusive, but with the TT AIRFLEX Ergochair, my neck still feels supported. I like its ergonomic armrest which allows me to rest my arm when I’m typing, and flipping it up gives me extra space to move and cuddle my furkid. Its thick padded seat base is firm enough to support upright seating yet soft enough to feel comfortable. And because I don’t always work in an aircon environment, the mesh material on the backrest helps to keep things airy.
TT AIRFLEX Ergochair is available in four colours and is priced at S$229. Get it online from their website, Shopee, or Lazada.
Switch Up to a Smart Desk
Even though conventional desks are perfect for what they are built for, smart desks take things up a notch. Smart desks, designed to enhance productivity and health, utilise technology to customise your workspace. Smart desks combat the risks of a sedentary lifestyle by encouraging standing and movement during work hours. Take TTRacing’s Titus Smart Desk, for example, which promotes standing and movement and ensures ergonomic sitting with its customisable height settings. Its customisable motorised system effortlessly brings the desk from 76cm to 121cm and features memory presets for convenience. I never thought this would improve my work-from-home experience until now. Because conventional desks come in one standard height, getting the right height with an adjustable chair is almost impossible. My feet can’t reach the floor when my arms rest nicely on the table. And if my feet are planted on the ground, I strain my shoulder and arm. When I switched up to TTRacing’s Titus Smart Desk, not only was I able to incorporate some movement into my routine, but I also sat comfortably with my feet on the ground. Goodbye strained shoulders!
One up from conventional desks, the Titus Smart Desk also offers ample space with widths starting from 75 cm for small and medium-sized tables and lengths ranging from 1.2m to 1.8m, making it suitable for most room sizes. Its sturdy top comes in a durable thermoformed finish, which protects against accidental scratches and spills while maintaining a stylish appearance. Additional features like the retractable headphone and cup holder keep the workspace clutter-free, while optional items such as the cable organiser are highly recommended, and add-on wheels to enhance its functionality.
Titus Smart Desk is available in four colours and is priced from S$349 onwards. Get it online from their website, Shopee, or Lazada.
Set Good Boundaries
Physical, mental, and time boundaries – all healthy relationships start with healthy boundaries. If you don’t have a dedicated room, demarcate a space for work by setting visual reminders. Be it a rug, a divider, or even a simple table, the visual “fencing” serves as a point of focus; it primes you for work when you step into it and helps you switch off when you step out. Practice setting mental boundaries, such as developing a routine to start and end work. It can be as simple as taking a whiff of your coffee to start the day, setting aside 10 minutes to set your intentions, or drawing tight spirals to stay focused. Similarly, when it’s time to knock off, close your laptop, give yourself a pat on the back, and step out of the space. Go one step further and set time boundaries using the Pomodoro technique, breaking work into 25-minute sessions with a Pomodoro timer or time-blocking where you pre-allocate time for specific tasks for the day – easily done on your calendar.
Control The Clutter
Whether it’s a mess or an organised mess, clutter consumes unnecessary space and steals precious time. While you think everything is under control, hunting down a single item can take hours. Research even suggests that clutter can have a direct impact on your mental well-being, leading to decreased focus, tension, overwhelm, or even depression. But fear not; decluttering doesn’t have to be daunting when you start small. Start by filing your papers and organising your stationery, then clear out things you no longer need. Consider investing in desktop shelves or side tables to keep things close and create a more streamlined workspace. By tackling clutter, you reclaim physical space and create a more conducive environment for productivity and well-being.
Inspire Yourself
Design your home office with a dose of inspiration to feed your inner muse. Infuse your workspace with a burst of inspiration with your favourite colours and prints, and hang up your vision board that’s filled with aspirations and motivation. Turn your workspace into a treasure trove of positivity with cherished memories with family and friends or souvenirs from your latest vacation. Bring nature indoors with fresh flowers or invigorate your senses with scented candles or essential oils – anything that brings a smile to your face as you sit down to work. These simple yet impactful additions can transform your space into a source of inspiration and motivation to get you through the day.
Let There Be Light
Desks and windows are a dream team – you get plenty of natural light to work in and a refreshing view to boot. If you’re using a computer, position your desk to avoid glare, or you might consider sheer curtains to soften the light and design your home office with a soothing ambience. Artificial light sources like a desk or floor lamps will illuminate your style and space; since you’re at it, how about a statement piece to design your home office? Opt for cool white lights to improve concentration or energy-efficient LED lights to reduce eye strain and fatigue.
Top Image: TTRacing
