In many ways, it seems our society is returning to its roots. Ages ago, when a
person’s job was tending the land right outside his front door, such a thing as
work/life balance didn’t have to exist; work and life were one in the same. These days, there are many
people who are going back to this model—albeit a modern version of it—by forgoing an out-of-the-home job and working professionally within the home.
With so many people merging home and work to create a space that will satisfy
both requirements, the need for a productive and efficient environment has
never been greater.
Or, for maximum flexibility, attach casters to the legs of your desk for
rearranging the room in a snap. Be sure to think through other pieces of
furniture, too. If you have the space, add an accent chair where you can sit
and take a break when your desk is making you feel confined.
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Be proactive about clutter. Set up an organization system from the start to help you manage the mess that
inevitably will bloom from working in one space for hours at a time. Start by
managing electronics and cords and designating a space for paperwork. Take
advantage of wall space: Hang corkboards, whiteboards, or chalkboards for
keeping track of to-do lists, plans, and ideas.
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Study similar spaces. What kind of systems do the professionals use in their
studios or offices to accomplish the same tasks? How do they streamline their
own spaces, and how can you create a similar workflow in your own space? For
example, if your hobby is sprucing up that old Porsche sitting in your garage,
take notice of the setup at your local mechanic’s work space and recreate a space that fits your needs in your own garage.
After you’ve set up a framework for your work space, consider the five senses. If each of
these is engaged in a positive way, your distractions will dissipate while your
productivity skyrockets.
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Hearing: If intense concentration is necessary for your work and you share walls with a
noisemaker, soundproofing the walls, windows, and ceiling may be necessary. On
the other end of the spectrum, if you like to listen to music while you work,
consider a stereo system or a docking station for your iPod.
Sight: Make your work space a pleasing place to be. Set up a lighting system that
includes both ambient and task lighting. Splash some colorful, energizing paint
or wallpaper on the walls, and add a few accent pieces in your favorite color.
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Smell: There is a fine line between a perfectly scented room and the setup for an
olfactory headache. Candles, air diffusers, and fresh flowers have a way of
adding life to a stale space, but don’t go overboard.
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Taste: The temptation to snack all day long while working from home is not good for
your health or your concentration. Keep your pantry and refrigerator full of
good-for-you snacks and ingredients for meals to help you avoid the temptation
to zip over to your favorite market or restaurant every time you get the
nibbles.
Touch: Temperature control is important. A ceiling or standing fan for summer and a
small space heater for winter should solve most climate-control problems. If,
however, you are sequestered to a small corner of your garage, attic, or some
other area of the home that has harsh climate issues, it might make sense to
add a layer of insulation to keep climate-controlled air inside your four
walls.
Written by Amber Lindros.
