In this digital age, remote work has become increasingly common. According to a recent worldwide survey, remote and hybrid work has increased by 30% since 2022. Today, businesses worldwide cater to their employees' needs by prioritizing workplace flexibility. For many in the workforce, this means they work from home most days of the week. As a result of the shift to remote work, more and more people are investing in their home office to boost their productivity. Below, we'll look at five tips for setting up your home office for professional success:

Keep your space clutter-free

Having an organized space to work in can help keep your mind organized as well. This lets you focus on your workload without getting distracted by the physical clutter around you. In a previous post about using Montessori methods to create function and order in the home, we highlight the importance of structure in helping you prioritize your tasks. Compared to having a cluttered space to work in, an organized home office will allow you to focus on what matters instead of worrying about having to do other things. In fact, an organized workspace can nurture your productivity, acting as motivation while boosting your work performance.

Invest in ergonomic equipment

Ergonomics isn't merely a trend or buzzword. For people who spend long hours seated at their desks, the wrong posture can lead to back, shoulder, and neck pains, and dampen your work productivity, which is where ergonomics comes into play. As such, one of the best ergonomic investments you can make is a chair. This article on the best ergonomic chairs highlights the importance of a pain-free working setup to prevent serious health conditions like inflammation and poor circulation. Chairs like the Herman Miller Aeron feature a seat tilt limiter that adjusts according to a user's most comfortable sitting position. Its backrest uses a sleek, breathable material, so you aren't sweating all over your chair either. Investing in a good ergonomic chair as early as possible may save you from unnecessary aches and pains that can dampen your day.

Get the right desk

Like the ergonomic chair, you may have seen other people using standing desks for their home offices. Standing desks are relatively new to the scene, but like ergonomic chairs, they may benefit your posture as you work. Standing desks encourage users to stand intermittently, keeping you moving to distribute pressure equally across your muscles, ligaments, and spinal discs. For example, the Fully Jarvis Laminate standing desk is sturdy and features a waterproof surface, supported by a motorized desk frame that you can adjust to sitting or standing height as you wish. Keep in mind to consult with a doctor if you have health conditions that may not be conducive to standing or if you are pregnant.

Add shelving optimization

Your workspace may be limited depending on where you set up your home office. If that's the case, don't hesitate to be creative and use your wall space to add to your home office setup. Hanging up a cork board makes a great space for you to stick or hang important work-related reminders or task lists for the day. You can also opt for wall shelves to hold items you would otherwise scatter on your desk — or worse, the floor. Using wall space also means that the things you put up are more visible than those hidden in drawers or containers. Depending on your preference, this can help you prioritize aspects of your work while serving a decorative purpose.

Include appropriate lighting

Last but not least, it's important that your working space is lit properly. As discussed here, good lighting in your workspace can boost your productivity. Even if you don't have a big window by your work desk, artificial lights can still be useful workspace illumination. When setting up your lights, remember to avoid creating shadows or glare so that you won't have to squint when writing on paper. If you're fortunate enough to have a window in your home office, don't be afraid to use that natural light during the daytime.