Archive April 2022
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Do You Work From Home?
How to Set Up the Perfect WFH Office in Cody
The global coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly led to some huge and lasting changes. One of the surprising outcomes of this pandemic has been the transition to remote working. Thousands of businesses have switched to remote work platforms, and the majority of business owners who recently made the transition report that they plan to continue to incorporate remote working, even after the pandemic is a thing of the past.
For newly remote employees, there are plenty of benefits to working from home. Work from home employees report feeling more productive, focused, and happy with their overall general quality of life. There is no more tedious morning commute to contend with, and lunch breaks can be spent in the comfort of your own home.
Even remote employees need an office space to work from however. So what are some things you should consider when setting up the perfect work from home office?
Let’s take a look at some helpful tips below.
Pick the Right Furniture
Since you will be coming into work to sit at your desk every single day of the week, you will definitely want to invest in high quality office furniture. Consider how you like to work and what is most important to you. Investing in a well-designed office chair with ergonomic features can help support your posture and wrist placement, so you can avoid the all-too-common hunched shoulders and cramping wrists from a long day of working at the computer screen.
Pick a desk that provides ample storage space for all of your files and office supplies. The home office is your space; you should know precisely where each item is, and where each new item should go. Keeping organized with useful storage and filing systems will help save you time and stress each day, so you can sit down to focus on the tasks you are prepared to accomplish and know exactly how you will approach them.
Consider looking into multiple workstation options. Changing up your position throughout the workday can help you stay alert and grant you space for fresh ideas. Look into a standup desk, so you can adjust your routine throughout the day, from sitting to standing and back again.
Upgrade Your Tech
From eCommerce platforms and digital file sharing in the cloud, to video conference calls, to virtual co-working systems, most of your remote work will be taking place online. So as you set up your ideal work from home office, you will want to make sure you have the fastest home internet speed available. If your broadband connection is slow, you will be faced with the dreaded glitches and beeps during video chats, or slow loading times on important documents and media files. Consider switching to a different internet provider, or install another router in your home office, so you have access to the fastest speeds available in the house.
Another important element to consider when setting up your work from home office is how to keep it separate from the rest of your home activities. Designating a separate workspace will help you stick to your work routines and avoid distractions. One useful strategy is to invest in separate home office tech. Use a different designated office desktop, mouse, and keyboard that stays in your home office.
If you are watching movies in your off hours on the same screen as you use to do your job-related tasks, you may be more prone towards distractions during the day. Keeping your office equipment separate helps you stay on task and stay motivated to get your work done. That way, when you “come home” at the end of a long day in your home office, you can truly unplug and relax, without being faced by the same screens you have been staring at all day long.
Create An Atmosphere
Besides the office furniture, you will be able to take into consideration the whole atmosphere of your home office. Think about adding soundproofing panels to block out any noises from the rest of the house. This can help you stay focused in your home office, especially if you frequently hear barking dogs or playing children that might pull your focus from the tasks at hand. Soundproofing your office can also block out street traffic or construction sounds, so if you live in an urban area, this will be an especially good idea.
If you like to listen to music while you work, you will want to install a great sound system. Choose smart speakers with a voice activation function and you can tell the speakers when to play classical music or ambient sounds in the background.
Lighting is also key to promoting focus and productivity in your home office. Try to choose a room with access to natural lighting; studies show that natural lighting can have a huge boost on your mood and mental clarity throughout the day. In addition to large windows that let in plenty of light, you will want to provide yourself with a variety of lighting options to use throughout the day. Choose a sturdy standing lamp that sheds an even overhead light throughout the whole room. Then supplement that with a smaller desktop lamp, so you can focus in on documents and texts as you work after dark.
A Working Space That Works For You
As you design your work from home office, remember that the most important factor in setting up your office is that it works for you. If you are painting your room, choose wall colors that make you feel relaxed, but aware, productive but at ease. Choose furniture and tech gadget upgrades that appeal to you.
The more attractive, comfortable, and organized your home office is, the easier it will be for you to sit down and get started- and to avoid the temptation to set up shop at the kitchen table, the comfy couch, or from your bed.
Great Tips For Spring Cleaning
Tips for Organizing Your Kitchen and Bathroom Storage
No one likes digging through messy cupboards, drawers, and closets to find what they need. Tidying up the storage in your kitchen and bathroom can make your life less stressful. When your storage spots are neat and organized, you’ll be able to easily see what you have and what you need. This will prevent you from buying duplicates. And when everything in your home has a place, it will be easier to put things away when you’re done using them, so you can keep your home clean and clutter-free!
Here are some creative storage hacks from Theresa Donley to help you organize your kitchen and bathroom.
Brighten Up Your Storage
Livening up your closets, cabinets, and drawers is a great way to refresh your space and prepare for an organizational overhaul. Consider adding pops of color with wallpaper that's as unique as you. Custom printed peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great solution for any storage space that feels a little lacking. Line the backs of shelving or the bottoms of drawers to elevate your home instantly. You may also want to get some wireless, motion-activated cabinet lights so you can find what you’re looking for without fumbling for a light switch.
Invest in Organizers
You can buy all kinds of handy cabinet and drawer organizers to keep your items contained and maximize your available storage space. Keep in mind that you may even be able to repurpose some of your household items to act as organizers. Drying racks, curtain tension rods, and mail organizers can be used in some inventive ways, as demonstrated by The Kitchn. Get some drawer dividers to organize utensils, spices, and other miscellaneous kitchen supplies. Use shelf risers, lazy susans, baskets, and hooks to make use of every square inch of your storage space.
Use Clear Containers
The main benefit of storing things in clear containers is that it’s easy to see your items with a quick glance. In the kitchen, you’ll be able to see your current inventory of rice, pasta, oats, sugar, flour, and other pantry basics without prying the lids off containers to peek inside. This will help you avoid running out of things you need and buying duplicates of things you already have. In the bathroom, clear storage trays make it easy to spot small items like lip gloss and nail polish without digging through a bin.
Take Advantage of Door Space
Using the space behind closet and cabinet doors is a great way to level up your organization game. Use hanging organizers, hooks, and magnet strips to make use of that vertical space! This is a great solution for oven mitts, knives, spices, cutting boards, pot lids, and other items that are bulky or awkward to store on a shelf. In the bathroom, you could even install a little shelf on a cabinet door to store cleaning supplies and paper towels.
Declutter Your Things
When your home is overflowing with stuff, organizing can only help so much. Eventually, you will need to sort through your things and do some decluttering if you want everything to fit nicely into your available storage space. Fortunately, decluttering your home is one of the easiest ways to make your space healthier! One by one, go through each cabinet, drawer, and closet. Get rid of things you don’t use, resisting the urge to hold onto anything that might become useful one day. Once you’ve decluttered your storage spaces and set up systems to keep everything organized, designate a spot for each and every item in your kitchen and bathroom.
Spending a little time organizing your kitchen bathroom is well worth it to save money, simplify your life, and free up some time on a busy day. When your kitchen is organized, it will be easier to cook, meal plan, and make grocery lists. When your bathroom is organized, you’ll be able to breeze through your morning routine without frustration. Start organizing your kitchen and bathroom storage and see for yourself!
Are you looking for a new home in Cody Wyoming? Professional Realtor Theresa Donley can help you find the perfect place! Call 307-899-5393 so we can get started!
