If you are like most people right now, you have probably been working from home for the past two months or so. And you are starting to go crazy! It's hard to be productive when you know there's a pandemic going on, and all the distractions you have at home are within sight. You probably ended up on this article because you got distracted and started Googling a couple of home design inspiration and home office design ideas.
So to make it worth your while, here are a few tips from us to help keep you focused and productive at your home office throughout the day:
1. Get some noise-cancelling headphones
If you have roommates, this is a godsend. Even if you live alone, these headphones usually help you focus on your tasks by cutting down on distracting outside noise.
We recommend the Sony WH-1000XM3. It is wireless and has active noise-cancelling technology, keeping you focused and flexible during your active workday. Trust us, this is one thing you won't be able to live without once you start using it.
2. Get a proper desk
We know it's tempting to just plop yourself down on the sofa or dining table and start working. But getting an office desk for your home office is essential to the productive workday.
You can choose from a standard desk to electric height-adjustable tables, usually called sit-to-stand desks. Our favorite is our stylish Enmo Ergonomic Standard Bundle, which includes the Enmo electric height-adjustable table, the Elevate Designer task chair, and the ActiveFusion Anti-fatigue sit-to-stand mat for extra support. With this bundle, you won't only look good, but you'll feel good too!
If you already have a desk you can use, you can always get a desk riser to convert your home office into a more ergonomic one. We recommend the S2S Desktop Workstation by ESI. It can support an ultrawide monitor, two standard monitors side by side (up to 24"), or a laptop and monitor combo.
For more home office desk ideas, you can check out our collection here.
3. Use the Pomodoro technique
In case you are unfamiliar with the Pomodoro technique, it is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, usually around 25 minutes, separated by 5 minute short breaks. After 4 intervals, you get a longer break of around 15 minutes.
Steps involved:
- Name your task
- Set the timer (traditionally 25 mins)
- Work on the task
- End work when timer is up
- Take a short break (5 mins)
- Go back to step 2
- After 4 intervals, take a longer break (15 mins)
Take a long break for lunch then get right back to it. Before you know it, the day is done! What we recommend is the Be Focused app but there are a ton of options out there for PC, Mac, iPhone, or Android.
4. Exercise during your breaks
Now that you're utilizing the Pomodoro technique, do some quick exercises to get your heart pumping!
Some of our recommendations:
- Get up from your home office chair and do some lunges
- Lunges are great for stretching out the muscles (like the hamstrings) which usually tighten up when sitting too long
- Do a few reps on a doorway pull-up bar (lots of options online)
- This exercise stretches and strengthens your back
- Use a resistance band for shoulder stretches
- May help prevent and fix forward head posture (which is very common for people that look at computer screens all day)
With this technique, you'll get more tasks done, get your blood flowing, and stave off the "Quarantine 15."
5. Get proper lighting
While it would be best if your desk was right by a window full of sunlight, that's not always the case. An LED desk lamp would help with this, especially when you have to work at night. One good thing about a desk lamp (or a task light) is it can add a bit more color to your space.
One of our favorites is the Revo LED Desk Lamp, which comes in several color options for that color pop. It has a fully-articulating body, which means you can bend, tilt, twist, and turn it whichever way you want. It also comes with an optional occupancy sensor, so it automatically turns on when you need it, and turns off when you leave. Add in an optional USB charging port at the base and you're groovy, baby!
6. Treat your back with respect with an ergonomic office chair
And last, but definitely not the least, please for the love of all that is holy, get yourself an ergonomic office chair. In twenty years, your back will thank you.
A proper ergonomic office chair, usually called task chairs, are designed for constant daily use, think 8-10 hours a day, 5-7 days a week. These come with ergonomic features such as adjustable lumbar support, adjustable arms, and synchro-tilt.
We do have several recommendations depending on your needs and price point. A standard one would be the Elevate Designer Task Chair, which comes with all the ergonomic functions you need, designed with comfort in mind. A big plus is it looks good too! Another one would be the Special-T Task Chair, which you could get in one of our Work From Home bundles.
Please do not get gaming chairs. A lot of companies just try to capitalize on the gaming community and sell chairs branded for gaming, however, these are mostly low quality and do not provide the proper support for everyday use.
If you want a more affordable alternative to the ever-so-popular Herman Miller Aeron Chair, an option would be the best-selling Ergohuman series, which comes in a variety of styles and color options. It has most of the adjustments that an Aeron has in a lower price point.
Finally, if you really want all the bells and whistles, you might want the Elea Chair. It has a patent-pending suspended seat which makes you feel like you're sitting on a cloud. 'Nuff said.
We hope you like this article and found it helpful. For more home office ideas delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and get 10% off on your first order.
Here at Corner Nook, we make it easy for you. Check out our Work From Home bundles to quickly set up your home office.
