The nature of work has changed more than ever. With the coronavirus pandemic confining everyone to their homes, companies and workers are striving to carry on with business as usual. But there is nothing “usual” about the current global situation.

If you’re working from home, you’ll know how difficult it can be to stay productive. Your routine is out the window, you have family or roommates wandering in and out, and you can hardly resist the temptation to go to the fridge for a snack every five minutes. How can you work effectively in these conditions?

Your work environment has a significant impact on your productivity. If you’re sitting at a crumb-covered kitchen table or lounging in bed with your laptop overheating your most sensitive body parts, your work may be suffering.

Creating an inspiring and attractive work environment is critical. Don’t feel you have to settle for what you’ve got. Creating a workplace that inspires productivity and creativity is not as difficult as you might think. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

Tidy up

A messy workplace creates a messy mind. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a writer, a computer programmer, or a teacher. You need a tidy working environment. An organised work area presents fewer distractions and can improve your clarity and focus. It will also save time usually spent hunting for your pens amidst a heap of scattered papers. Start each day by clearing your workspace, tidying your home office, and creating a sense of order to get your day off to a good start.

Choose the right desk

Your desk is probably your most important piece of equipment when working from home. If you’re the kind of person that works on their laptop while lying down in bed or lounging on the sofa, you need to stop. It’s terrible for your posture and doesn’t put you in the right frame of mind for going to work. You need a work surface that is large enough to accommodate all of your work equipment without being too cramped and messy. It should be the perfect height for you to sit comfortably, with ample space to rest your forearms. You don’t have to go out and buy a desk. You can use your kitchen table, or even set up shop in your garage and make use of your heavy duty workbench.

Pick your chair

Next up, you must choose your seating. Your chair is a crucial decision. If it’s not comfortable, your mind will not be able to focus optimally. In addition to comfort, it should be the right height for your desk, and you may wish it to have certain features like reclining or revolving. Try out all the chairs in your house to determine which is the best fit. If none of them will do, it is worth splashing out on a good office chair. You don’t know how long you’ll be working from home, and the benefits to your work make it a sensible long term investment.

Do you have any other tips for working from home? Let me know!