The Productivity Enhancing Home Office

Did you know that 88% of companies around the world encouraged or made it compulsory for employees to work from home in 2020 once COVID-19 was declared a pandemic? 

And when buying or renting a house, most people are looking for a home with separate work spaces where they can focus, be efficient and be left alone! 

Whether you are buying or selling, here are a few things to remember: 

• Not everyone will want the same layout, look and feel...when you view a house, remember that the style of that office might not need what you like or need
• It will take time for you to adjust your work space to how you really want it, even if the room needs a fresh coat of paint or new blinds, try and work in the space first to see what it is you need
• Your space needs to make you feel calm, focused and positive

4 simple (and manageable) factors influence our productivity: 

1. Space
2. Connectivity
3. Personality
4. Colour

1. Space

Choose the right room. We may not all have the freedom to choose a room in our house to dominate the day from, some of us may have to choose a place where a desk can fit, or even just a laptop. If you do have the choice, opt for a room or corner that offers privacy, and has natural light. Studies have shown that natural light directly influences the amount of melatonin a person produces, which indirectly affects alertness. 

2. Connectivity

This goes without saying, but we'll say it anyways: You need steady WiFi! Be sure to select a quality service provider and have them on speed dial if anything goes wrong. A nifty tip is to use an ethernet cable connected from your router to your laptop or computer for extra fast WiFi. 

3. Personality

The space is yours, so it should look like it. Add a photo of you and your loved ones, family or friend to personalise the space. Then add quotes or artwork to encourage creativity and motivation when working. Make sure your equipment and stationery will make work life easier, for example having a good quality chair or ensuring you don't clutter your desk with too many odds and ends. Lastly, choose a pretty plant to put on your desk. Having a plant as part of your office decor can help reduce stress, increase productivity, clean the air and boost creativity, amongst other benefits. 

4. Colour

According to Kendra Cherry from verywellmind.com, "Artists and interior designers have long believed that color can dramatically affect moods, feelings, and emotions." It is so important to choose the right colour for your office as the wrong one can have a serious impact on your mood and work efficacy. When thinking of what mood you want to create in your office, consider the following:

• Green is great for reducing stress
• Blue can boost productivity
• Yellow promotes creativity
• White creates the effect of spaciousness

Creating an office space to help you feel efficient and positive is a priority. Be sure to take the time and effort to make it work for you. Keep your office clean, fresh and work-ready! 

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Article by: Hayley Kellerman & Alet van Zyl