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Working from home is something has steadily been growing in popularity over the last decade, and for good reason. Avoiding stressful commutes, saving money and having more freedom are just some of the benefits that working from your own home office has to offer. In order to make sure you get the most out of the home office environment there are a few things you need to keep in mind when setting it up.

1.     The Right Room

The first step to creating a home office is choosing which room of the house will be most suited to this task. The living room, bedroom and kitchen should be avoided, as they’re oftentimes the busiest parts of the home and as such they can provide more than a few distractions during the workday. A much better option is basing your home office in an unused guest bedroom or den.

However, converting your garage into a home office is perhaps the best way, especially if you’re someone who barely uses theirs. A garage can be converted into a comfortable personal office with very little work and it has the added benefit of being separate from the rest of the home allowing you to avoid distractions and create a firm divide between your workspace and your home.

2.     Lighting

Ideally, you should set up your home office in a way that will allow you the take advantage of natural light. Natural lighting is a great way to boost morale as well as to increase your productivity and the quality of your work. If your chosen space doesn’t have large windows look into adding some extra fenestrations. Make use of mirrors that will help the natural light bounce around the room.

Keep in mind that natural light can’t be the only source of light in your home office. Add the appropriate light fixtures to the ceiling and walls, as well as a desk lamp. Making sure your space is well-lit will boost your energy levels and help you reduce eye strain, especially on overcast days.

3.     Ergonomics

Working from home is not an excuse to spend your days sprawled out on your couch with your laptop across your chest. This won’t only drag down your productivity; it will also negative effects on your overall health. For the long term, it is a much better idea to invest in a proper desk and chair set up. A comfortable, good quality chair is probably the most important part of this, as you will be spending up to eight hours a day sitting in it.

Make sure that you can comfortably but firmly rest your feet on the floor and that when resting your forearms on your desk they are parallel to the floor. To avoid neck strain, position your computer screen so that its top is at eye level or just a little below.

4.     Supplies and Storage

Having all the necessary office supplies on hand is an essential aspect of a functional home office. Being well stocked with all the necessities will prevent ill-timed disruptions of your work day because you’ve run out of staples and need to run out to the store. Paper, printer ink, pens, paper clips and the like should all be on hand when you need them. In order to avoid a cluttered office, consider utilizing shelves, storage boxes or filing cabinets. An organized office is a productive office.

5.    Remember its purpose

In order to get the most benefit and productivity out of your home office don’t use the space for anything else other than work. Make sure that your office is a dedicated as working space, and avoid using it after work hours for non-work related activities. Clear away distractions such as TVs or gaming consoles, but don’t shy away from adding a personal touch such as rugs, plants, curtains and décor that will make the space feel personal, but still work-oriented.