Work-from-home plans to boost productivity during the return to school

As summer vacation draws to a close and you start thinking about going back to school or working from home, combining practical necessities with organizational elements (and a few stylish additions) can take your workday to a whole new level.

Plus, improving the functionality of your workspace with thoughtful pieces that go beyond monitors, keyboards, and office chairs can be a game-changer.

“Surround yourself with the right lighting, accessories and furniture and you’ll be sure to get back into your routine without too much stress,” says Rachal Hutcheson, national retail sales manager at Sharps.

“With a little careful planning, it is possible to create an organized, productive and aesthetically pleasing space in most homes, regardless of the footprint.”

Whether it's a dedicated office space, a work corner, or even something under the stairs, here's how to improve your work performance…

Organize

First things first: to prepare for the return to school on time, you need to think about speeding up the transition and making mornings smoother, says Victoria Fletcher, senior buyer at Garden Trading.

“Make sure you use horizontal and vertical spaces effectively – incorporate modular storage, such as hanging baskets and hallway benches, to keep bags, wellies and PE kits organised.

“This teaches children that everything has its place,” Fletcher notes. “Small baskets can be very useful for storing those miscellaneous items that tend to clutter up the house.”

And she continues: “Make sure you prepare work areas dedicated to creativity and schoolwork, to prevent them from spilling over into family life.”

“Desks with good lighting and ample storage space for paperwork help you stay focused and organized,” Fletcher adds.

Rethinking the layout of your furniture

“Our living spaces continue to become more and more functional as we adapt to a combination of hybrid working and socialising at home,” says Gisela Lancaster, purchasing director at Sofology.

“The conventional boundaries of our rooms have changed significantly in recent years,” Lancaster stresses, “and a thoughtful layout of these multi-functional spaces can really help to strike the right balance.”

For most people, it's easy to try and zone the placement of a sofa to create two distinct areas, while internal glazing offers a stylish way to divide any room, Lancaster suggests.

She says allowing as much light as possible into a busy room also helps to maximise the space, with layered lighting in the darker months further reinforcing the different functions of each area and highlighting a comforting escape at the end of each day.

Go for custom and place your desk with care

As Hutcheson notes: “The last few years have allowed many of us to work in different ways, which in turn has revealed how varied our preferred workspaces really are.

“Does having a dedicated home office area help productivity more than a well-designed area within a living room? For some, yes, but for others it may not,” says Hutcheson.

Whether you're designing a home office, a bedroom office, or looking to utilize your living space, she says it's important to consider the effect your desk position will have on your productivity.

“Placing your desk next to a window and increasing your exposure to natural light can help improve your mood, while also helping to regulate your body’s circadian rhythm,” Hutcheson stresses, “meaning you’re more awake while working during the day.”

Depending on your budget, custom designs also allow you to maximize the space you have to work with.

“Think about shelf height, quick access to cupboards and drawers, chair size and built-in power supplies to eliminate the need to stretch charging cables to their limits,” Hutcheson advises.

Feel more enlightened with well thought out pieces

When it comes to home office lighting, it’s important to strike the right balance between comfort, functionality and style, says Mara Rypacek Miller, CEO and founder of Industville.

“Natural light is key to improving mood and reducing eye strain, so where possible, try to position your desk near a window – ideally facing natural light for the best lighting for video calls.

“Complement this with a mix of layered artificial lighting to create a cozy atmosphere,” Miller suggests.

While ambient lighting is important to set the desired mood in the room, he says task lighting is essential to ensure visibility.

“Whether it’s a table lamp or a pendant light, be sure to add additional lighting to the areas where you’ll be reading, writing and typing, so your eyes don’t become unnecessarily strained,” Miller warns.

These fixtures are also a great opportunity to brighten up your room in style by choosing something that reflects your personality, she adds. “Brass, marble and fluted glass are popular materials at the moment that will remain timeless over the years.

“To take your home office lighting to the next level, set up a smart lighting system that allows you to adjust color temperature and brightness for optimal productivity and comfort,” says Miller.

Improve concentration with the right color

“Deep jewel-inspired hues add a glamorous edge and create a sophisticated design that is ideal for thoughtful areas such as home offices,” says Helen Shaw, marketing director for Benjamin Moore.

If you're lucky enough to have large windows or glass doors, she says these darker, more sombre colours work well against natural light, which will bring out the lighter undertones.

“Blue and green hues are a great choice for those who need to increase their focus while working or studying from home,” says Shaw. “Both are naturally calming hues that act as restorers of balance and harmony.”

Creating a stylish focal point in your home office is also a great way to make the space more pleasant during your workday, Shaw says.

“Introducing thoughtful pops of color, such as a red wall light, has an instant chic effect.”