When the global pandemic first shut the UK down and workers across the country were asked to work from home where possible, many of us found ourselves unprepared for such a situation. People who normally commuted to work in an office were suddenly having to set up shop at home, with many ill equipped to do so.

Those who were lucky enough to have a space they could use as a home office had to kit it out with all the necessary equipment they needed for the job. But for a lot of people, finding an adequate and appropriate place to work wasn’t quite so easy.

All over the UK, people working from the kitchen table, the dining room, the bedroom or even the living room. With no dedicate space to call their own, away from potential distractions, working from home suddenly became a monumental challenge.

A year and a half later and the world of work has undergone a drastic transformation. As government restrictions are lifted and many head back to the office, talk of a hybrid model means that we may see many workers choose to continue working from home for at least part of the week.

If this is the case, it’s time that we take a cold, hard look at our home office set up and make sure that it is geared up to deal with the demands of working from home. To thrive at home, we need to make sure that we have access to everything that we need to be comfortable, and most importantly, productive.

But we also have the opportunity to create a space that goes above and beyond the traditional office. Most corporate offices are less than inspiring and do little to help improve our mental health and wellbeing. We have a real opportunity here to create a workspace that not only looks good and feels good, but that helps us to maximise productivity in our home office.

1. Abstract 492 Art Print from Abstract House
2. Globe Ceiling Flush Light in Brass & Opal from Made.com
3. Fallen Wildflower paint by Dulux
4. Soho Home x Leaf Envy Peace Lily from Leaf Envy
5. Anthurium Clarinervium from Leaf Envy
6. Levvy Pendulum Clock Brass & Black from Made.com
7. Brass Urban Charger Lamp from Rose & Grey
8. Paravent Screen from Ligne Roset
9. Pendelbury Desk in Walnut & Royal Blue from Made.com
10. Beckett Wooden Office Chair from Lakeland

Let’s have a look at 7 top tips for maximising productivity in your home office.

1. Create a dedicated workspace

If possible, carve out space that will be used exclusively for your work. The last thing you want to be doing is moving all your stuff off the kitchen table every time it needs to be used for meals. Having a multi-purpose space is not efficient and will be very disruptive. Understandably, not everyone has this luxury but there are some really compact, space-saving desks on the market now that can be wall hung, balanced against the wall or folded away. So, if space is a problem, you have options.

2. Create boundaries between work and home lifeOne of the main issues that people have reported when working from home is the lack of boundaries between work life and home life. Being able to close the door to your home office and walk away is ideal. However, it’s not so easy when there is no differentiation in the place where these activities take place.

It is important to make a clear distinction between where you live and the space that you work in. You should consider dividing the space and creating a distinct work zone that can be closed off and hidden away once you clock off from work. Screens and room dividers will come in handy here as will foldaway desks.

The old saying out of sight, out of mind really does ring true here. You will be better able to switch off after a long day of work if you can no longer see your desk.

3. Consider the Colour

If you have a completely self-contained space to use as a home office it is worth giving some consideration to the colour that you paint the walls. In most corporate offices, the walls are either white or magnolia, neither of which are particularly inspiring.

Before you decorate, take a moment to think about how you want to feel in the space. If you want to feel calm and focused, consider choosing greens or blues. If you need to feel energized and invigorated, red or orange tones may be more appropriate.

4. Illuminate the Room

Lighting is extremely important when it comes to maximising productivity in your home office. Poor lighting can leave you feeling drained and moody and can cause eye strain and headaches. None of these things will increase your productivity.

Therefore, it is important to ensure you have good quality light sources. This includes soft diffuse ambient lighting, bright and focussed task lighting and most importantly as much natural light as possible.

5. Connect with Nature

It has been proven that as humans we feel much better when we are able to connect with nature. So try positioning your desk in front of a window so that you can see views of nature while you work. If you don’t have any natural views to look at, bring as much greenery and foliage into the office as you can.

Alternatively, choose botanical art prints or wallpaper to mimic the look of a natural environment. And try incorporating natural materials such as rattan, cork or bamboo where possible.

Maybe play the sounds of nature such as bird song or the crashing of ocean waves and introduce the scents of nature by lighting scented candles or using a diffuser.

6. Suitable office chair

Being comfortable is one of the keys to maximising productivity in your home office and the chair that you choose is immensely important. An ergonomic office chair is an absolute must if you are going to be seated at a desk for any length of time as they provide the necessary support for our backs and ensure the correct posture to prevent injuries.

7. Declutter

The final tip for maximising productivity in your home office is to declutter. Declutter the space around you and declutter your desk. There is nothing more distracting than being surrounded by clutter. Studies show that there is a strong link between clutter and procrastination so by making sure you have a clear and tidy space in which to work will help you to stay focussed and motivated and therefore be more productive.

So, there you have it, 7 tips for maximising productivity in your home office. We’d love to see pictures of your home office so be sure to share on Instagram and tag us in @honeypotfurniture