How to Create an In-Home Office

For many self-employed individuals and aspiring entrepreneurs, finding the time and space to work from home can present a major challenge. Working from home can come with a number of flexibilities, but it can also be very distracting. This is why it is so important for any professional looking to work from home should have their own in-home office to work from. Creating the right work environment from home is actually much more challenging than many people realize. However, if you keep these tips in mind, you can create an organized and productive home office that will help you get the most work done possible, without all of the distractions that typically come with working from home.

Do Not Bring Non-Work Items In it

The golden rule of your home office should be that this space needs to be completely free from non-work items. The rest of your home is for home items, while your home office is for work items. You need to have a clear barrier between the two spaces. Don’t pay your home bills or wrap your Christmas presents in your home office. You wouldn’t bring these items to your traditional office and do them during work hours, so don’t bring them into your home office. You need to be strict about this rule and don’t break it.

Have a View (That Isn’t Just a Wall)

When it comes to actually setting up your home office, make sure that you put it in the right place. Give yourself a view of something besides a blank wall. It is easy to feel trapped in your home office, since you are restraining yourself to one room in the home, so make sure that you put your office somewhere where you have a view. It seems like something small, but it can really make a big difference.

Surround Yourself With Motivational Messages

Decorating your home office is actually really important, you need to make sure that you have some type of office décor up so your space really looks like a home office, and you need to make sure that you surround yourself with inspirational and motivational messages. You will be easily distracted when you work from home, and having the right motivational messages around you at all times can really help you get that extra boost you need to stay focused and stay on task.

Keep It Organized and Keep it Work Only

It doesn’t matter how much extra storage space you have in your home office, you home office needs to be organized and it needs to only included office things. Don’t store your kids’ winter jackets or holiday decorations in your office just because there is space. You need to keep things organized in your office and you need to make sure everything in that office is only work-related items; this once again makes your office seem more like a traditional work space than an extra room in your home.

Your home office can be a really important space for you to get a lot of work done when you work from home. If you take the time to set up your home office in the right way you can actually arm yourself with the tools you need to fight off distractions and to keep yourself focused and on task during your workday.