5 Simple Ways to Upgrade your work-from-home office

Many of us have had to pivot from a traditional office to a work-from-home set up this year

Article was created by the team at Metro Content March 2021

While there can be advantages to working from home, having a dedicated space for work can feel impossible to create.  Luckily, just a few simple and affordable upgrades can improve your work-from-home experience dramatically, helping to improve both your productivity and happiness.

Hunching over your laptop on the kitchen table works in the short-term, but chances are, many remote jobs are here to stay for a while. Here are some simple ways to improve your work-from-home office:

Add a Plant

One of the biggest differences between working from home and going to an office is that you no longer have to commute. This saves time and stress, but it also means you’re less likely to spend time outdoors.  Nature has powerful health benefits (not to mention it’s a wonderful mood-booster!), so be sure to take frequent breaks to go outside if possible. You can also bring a piece of nature into your home office by adding a houseplant! You can order plants online for delivery from businesses like Lively Root, which ships nationwide (or your local nursery and pick it up curbside).  Plants significantly increase workplace satisfaction, levels of concentration, and air quality.  Plus, they’re beautiful to look at! Some easy-to-care-for indoor plants that are also pet-friendly include the Chinese Money Plant, Spider Plant, and Peacock Plant.

Improve Your Indoor Lighting

Just like your plant, you need sunlight, too!  In addition to taking frequent breaks outside, try to work near a window, so you get exposure to natural light throughout the day. It will help your mood, productivity, and sleep.

You can also improve your home office by making sure to add high-quality artificial light. A dimly-lit room can make you feel drowsy or depressed and leads to eye strain. Try swapping out your warm house lamp bulbs for some bright LED bulbs. While you’re at it, get a cute lamp that brightens up your space!

Get Ergonomic!

If you spend a lot of time at a computer, it’s important that your back and neck are properly supported.  Ideally, aim to get a converting desk that lest you alternate between standing and sitting, like this one by Flexispot (check with your local office furniture/supply store).  There are also converters you can place on top of the desk or table you already have at home like this one from Vivo.  You’ll feel more comfortable and get more work done if you can switch up your work position throughout the day.

Also keep in mind that your forearms should be nearly parallel to the floor when you’re typing, and you want your screen to be eye level – about 20 – 30″ away from your face. Get a monitor stand to raise your desktop computer, or prop it up on a stack of books.  If you have a laptop, put it on a stand, then use a separate keyboard and mouse to keep your back from rounding over your keyboard.

Upgrade Your Chair

A comfortable desk chair makes all the difference!  The Herman Miller Aeron Chair is one of the best chairs around, but it’s an investment piece at $1,400.   If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, there are plenty of less expensive options to chose from!  You can also try converting the desk chair you have at home by getting an extra seat cushion or attachable lumbar support.

Decorate!

One of the benefits of working from home is that you can make your workplace entirely yours – so have fun with it!  Set a candle on your desk, hang photos that make you happy, or add pops of bright colours to your walls.  This will help you feel more relaxed, alert, and creative.

Many jobs also now require virtual video calls, so be mindful of what’s behind you while you’re at your computer.  If you need a better backdrop, consider getting a room divider screen – this can also give you more privacy if you’re sharing a space with others.

These easy adjustments will make your office space an enjoyable oasis, so you can show up and be your best at work, even from home!

Home Sweet Home appears weekly in The Stratford Local and is presented by Quadro, Telecom Done Right Since 1924.

For more information on services, follow these links:  High-speed Internet,  Mobility Services, Phone, TV, Computer Repair and I.T. Services (Quadro’s Quad Squad).