For many, the dream of working from home is very much a reality. Many companies offer flexible remote work schedules, and the ability to work from anywhere in the world.
The best part about it? You can be as comfortable as you want to be: you can work in your PJs, roll out of bed to join meetings and more often than not — you have more time with your family. For some roles, you may even have the option to set your own schedule. With
entrepreneurship on the rise, depending on the type of business, working from home is simply cost-effective.
There is another advantage few people talk about: the freedom to design your own office space. Who wouldn’t want to choose their own space, decor, and equipment? And with Black women being the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the country, we’re all going to need to know a thing about how to build a home office. Knowing that, we’ve put together a list of life hacks and essentials for building a more comfortable and productive office space.
Add a touch of style.
Your office is a reflection of your personality. If you wanted a boring space with cubes, you can easily get that in any office in America. Adding a pop of color such as bright, cheery colors like orange, lime green or pink can also make your space feel exciting and warm (this is where Pinterest will come in handy). These colors will energize you throughout the day in those moments when you may be sluggish and feel as though you can’t power through work. Don’t underestimate what some artwork can also do to make your office feel more homey. If you’re like me, a photo of Jay Z on your wall might inspire you to keep hustlin’.
Invest in a sturdy, yet comfortable chair.
A comfortable chair is what makes any home office productive. You’ll spend nearly half your day on it so investing in a good one will make a marked difference to your work life. A beautiful, ergonomically-correct, comfortable seat is worth every dime so don’t hold onto your purse strings for this trying to find something that is cheap. This will be an invaluable expense in the long run — so plan to spend about $50 – $100 in a chair that will be worth your while.
Make your space convertible.
For those living in a small space who don’t have the luxury of a spare room to convert into a dreamy office, get creative. A convertible piece of furniture will make your home feel more inviting, provide space when you need it and offer comfort for those long days (and nights) when you need a power nap. For example, a
CouchBed is a mattress and a couch all in one. And unlike a futon, there are no metal or wooden parts — you simply flip one side and it instantly becomes a mattress or couch. This is perfect for creating a comfortable, yet inviting space (and also for girl bosses who don’t have a guest room to house out of towners).
Only buy essential items.
While creating your ideal workspace can be a fun project, when it comes to supplies, don’t get carried away. Stick to the essentials. Office Depot and OfficeMax are great resources to get everything that you need. Though, there’s one thing to keep in mind: just because it’s there, doesn’t mean you need to buy it. Make a budget and a list of essentials and stick to it.
Inspire yourself.
A little motivation will go a long way when it comes to your workspace. Whether through motivational quotes, a piece of framed art, or photos of loved ones on your desk — anything that will help you remember your “why” will help you succeed. Why did you start your business? Why do you want to be successful? Why have you come this far? These things also motivate you to create and/or get the work done so you can get out of there.
Go green.
It’s a proven fact that plants make people happier. Not only do they maintain the air quality in your home, they can also reduce stress and increase productivity — two things that are essential to any entrepreneur or businesswoman. Not to mention, they’re simply beautiful. The best part? There are a number of types of plants to choose from, so whether you’ve got a green thumb or are a newbie to the plant game, there’s something for everyone.
Declutter.
Can’t find anything on your desk? Constantly standing while working because you feel unsettled in your workspace? Then it’s time to declutter. Because most home offices don’t come equipped with tons of square footage, using space efficiently is imperative. First and foremost, everything doesn’t need to be printed — it is 2019 after all. Consider going paperless. And a simple item like the
ScanSnap iX100 can help you do so. It is a sleek and easy-to-use portable scanner that connects wirelessly to your smartphone. With it, you can fully declutter your life. Scan bills, tax forms, notes, business cards, mail, kids’ artwork, old pictures, cards—you name it—to the cloud to become the most organized, paperless version of yourself. Filing cabinets aren’t the most attractive pieces of furniture, but you’ll also need a place to put papers you use frequently. Stray away from having piles on your desk by getting a nice basket to hold your mail, notes, and papers, so that they’re located all in one place.
