5 tips for creating the best working from home environment

Whether you’re new to working from home or have become accustomed to it over recent months, it’s safe to say that it has now become part and parcel of everyday life for many people in the UK. Of course, one of the main benefits of working as a limited company contractor is the flexibility it can offer, including the ability to work when, where and how you’d like. That being said, it can sometimes be difficult to turn a place you’re used to unwinding into a distraction free work zone. So what can you do to perfect the balance between home and work? Read on for some handy tips…

1. Separate work from leisure

   To begin, separation between your leisure and work space can be one of the most important factors to really thrive whilst working at home. It can be hard to focus on work when you’re sat in the same living room you are used to watching TV in. The ideal scenario would be a separate room that you can use as a home office, but this is of course not feasible for everyone. An alternative solution would be to section off a little area in an existing room that you can keep tidy. If you’re able to utilise natural lighting that’s also a bonus as it’s been proven to help reduce stress and anxiety. Adding a house plant to your workspace is also a great way to boost your mood, as well as making your desk a more pleasant place to be. 

2. Drown out the noise

   External noise if often one of the most difficult things to content with whilst working from home. It can come from noisy neighbours, delivery drivers knocking on your door, dogs barking outside or even from people you live with. The latter could be eliminated with a friendly conversation, but if all else fails then noise cancelling headphones are an amazing tool. You could listen to white noise or instrumental music to help you focus on and block out your surroundings.

3. Set yourself rules

   Working from home has many benefits, including cutting out awkward office politics, however it’s still important to keep yourself accountable. Keep yourself disciplined, avoid using the usual house gadgets such as your phone or the TV. Focus on just your work emails, not your personal ones. We find that creating yourself a little to-do list with deadlines is of great value.
   

4. Remember to look after yourself

   As tempting as it can be to sit on the sofa and work on the coffee table, poor posture can really damage your spinal cord. It can also lead to the temptation to relax and down tools, so we’d really recommend investing in a more traditional office chair with a high back for support, as well as working at an appropriate desk or table. This will really help focus your mind and keep your body in check. Don’t forget to give yourself little breaks from time to time too, to eat, drink and rest your eyes. Mental wellbeing is also important.

5. Take advantage of services

   In almost every role, it’s important to have a reliable internet connection. If your connection is intermittent or slow, then consider contacting your service provider to see if anything can be done to improve it. Sometimes plugging your device directly in to the router with an Ethernet cable is the best way to ensure you’re getting the best possible connection. Some other useful tools include online communication services such as Trello and Slack. They are a great way to structure to your workload when working collaboratively with others in a different location.

    

   We hope some of these tips can be of real value to you. If you have any more recommendations be sure to reach out to us on our Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn channels. And remember, if you are working as a limited company contractor and would like some further guidance on how to run your limited company, PayStream’s accountancy service packages are designed to give you what you need at a price that makes sense for your business. Whichever package you choose, you’ll benefit from free, quick and easy setup, a dedicated accounting team and 24/7 portal access to manage your company. Get in touch with our team at info@paystream.co.uk or give us a call at 0161 923 0201