5 Smart Ideas to Work More Efficiently in Your Home Office

Currently, a large proportion of the workforce all over the world is experiencing working from home for their jobs and this new normal of remote working is set to continue for many employees, with many companies announcing extended working from home policies in the current climate.

So how can we optimise our physical home office environment to boost our productivity whilst maintaining a desired work life balance? Here are 5 smart ideas to help you work better in your home office:

1.    Lighting

Firstly, it is important you consider the lighting in your home office. Research has found that an overwhelming 80% of employees think that good lighting in an office is important to them and one third of workers say they would be happier at work if they had better office lighting. In addition to these employee satisfaction benefits, a scientific study has shown employees who were exposed to natural light in the office reported an 84% drop in eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision.

Therefore, if possible, position your desk in an area of your home with plenty of natural light. Motorised blinds set to an automatic schedule can ensure your office is always light and bright in the mornings, helping set you up for the day.

Alternatively, opt for a desk lamp with a smart light bulb so you can get creative and tailor the colour of your lighting to match whatever task you’re focusing on. By combining the Philips Hue and Somfy TaHoma smart home you can control your lighting from your smartphone or even handsfree via a voice assistant.

2.    Temperature

In your home office, you also want to maintain a comfortable temperature and avoid wasting valuable time fiddling with the thermostat. A smart thermostatic radiator valve can assist keeping your home office at a comfy temperature, intelligently learning how long it takes to heat your home as well as having remote control capability from your smartphone.

3.    Noise

Time to think about the noise levels in your home office. It can be difficult to focus on work with distractions such as a busy household or loud appliances in the background. Investing in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones can block out unwanted sounds and help you stay focused. If you prefer not to be wearing headphones all day, instead it may help to plug in a smart speaker to play a relaxing soundtrack to listen to in the background.

4.    Ergonomics

If you’re working from home, there’s a high likelihood that you will be spending a lot of time in your home office, at your desk and sitting in your chair. Therefore, it is worth investing in a comfortable, good quality chair and a spacious enough desk, which will help prevent aches, pains and musculoskeletal problems, in addition to boosting your concentration and quality of work.

5.    Wellbeing

Don’t forget you will be at your best when you are feeling well rested, alert and energised. During these uncertain times we can often forget to take care of ourselves, so it is important to achieve a healthy work-life balance despite working from home. Taking small chunks of time out of your day, to have a break from your desk, such as going outside for fresh air, cooking a tasty lunch or doing exercise, can really help maintain a happy balance and also boost productivity throughout the day whilst home working.

In addition, aim to get a good quantity and quality of sleep, which can positively impact your physical and mental health. Try to stick to the same bedtime and get up at the same time each day to keep your body clock in sync. Smart home technology can assist you by creating a relaxing bedtime by automatically closing the curtains and dimming the lights before bed then opening your curtains to let light in right on schedule to help you wake up in the mornings.

Smart home technology can assist with helping you work more efficiently in your home office, improving comfort, convenience and even productivity. If you haven’t got any smart home technology yet or want to add products to your existing collection, Somfy has got you covered. Head to the Somfy website now to discover innovative smart home solutions you can trust.