3 Ideas to Help Improve Your Home Office and Increase Efficiency

Reduce Distractions 

• Declutter and Minimize: Get rid of any standing clutter or trash. If something doesn’t need to be in your office, take it out. A clean office leads to a clear mind.
• Invest in Soundproofing: If you have a lot of outside noise, consider soundproofing your walls with soundproofing panels. While it might seem extreme, sometimes a little quiet is all you need to increase efficiency. 
• Create a Closed Space: If your office is in a common area, or if you have to share your office, consider architectural screen panels, which are sort of like decorative walls. You can block yourself off and create a cubicle or space that’s shut off from distractions. 

Decorate Thoughtfully

• Add Plants: Plants not only look fantastic; they can actually make you a better worker. One study found that when employees had exposure to plants during the workday, they had higher job satisfaction and were more organized. They also had lower levels of anxiety and depression. 
• Go with Hues of Blue: Colors can impact moods. Recent studies show that blue is the perfect color for increasing focus, promoting relaxation, and boosting productivity. So, consider painting your office blue, or decorating with blue accents. 
• Add Exercise Equipment: While not technically a decoration, a dedicated exercise corner in your home office can do wonders for your efficiency. Light exercise during the workday can increase productivity by up to 72%. A simple yoga mat, hand weights, an exercise ball, or resistance bands are great examples of things to include in an exercise corner. 

Focus on the Lighting

• Go with Blue-Enriched Lights: Blue-enriched lights increase mental acuity and alertness. They reduce fatigue and improve work performance. Studies show that employees who work under blue-enriched lights reported higher levels of happiness and alertness and had lower levels of eyestrain.
• Let in the Natural Light: If you have the option, use natural light during the day. Natural light is known to reduce rates of anxiety and depression while increasing focus. 
• Add Accent or Focus Lights: If overhead lights are too bright, they can actually cause our eyes to strain and struggle to see clearly. So, rather than increasing the wattage on your overhead light, consider adding focus lights, like a desk lamp, or other fixtures. These allow you to illuminate the areas you need to see without washing the whole room out. 

Increase Your Efficiency by Improving Your Home Office