When you're working from home, a key

factor in maximising productivity is the

layout and design of your home office.

An organised and streamlined working space will help you to

keep focussed and make the most of

your working hours spent in your office or

work area.

Keep watching for some top tips on creating a home

office layout that will work best for you...

Never position your computer

opposite a window as the glare from the monitor will strain your eyes.

To create an illusion of space, place the largest (or tallest)

piece of furniture at the furthest point

away from the door or entry point.

If you have the space, a great way to get

organised is to position two desks in a L-shape,

allowing you to dedicate one desk to

computer work, and the other to offline

paperwork and writing.

If space is scarce and your 'office' is actually the corner of another room, buy a specially designed computer

workstation with concealed office storage. That way you can simply

close the doors on all your office equipment when you've finished working for the day.

Make full use of daylight wherever possible, but make sure that you have sufficiently lighting in addition to avoid

eye strain.

If your work involves drawing or writing by hand, try and make sure that your work desk is positioned so that the light from any windows does

not cast a shadow on the page.

Ensure that you have sufficient storage options, including

filing cabinets, shelving and any

other relevant furniture for housing everything you need

to keep in your office.

Keep electrical cords and computer wires

tidy and untangled to avoid mishaps. Use a

cord tidy where appropriate, and try

and buy office furniture specially designed with cable openings at the

back.

To minimise the number of cables

and wires, take the cordless and wireless

options for your phone and computer

equipment.

Sometimes good old-fashioned handwritten notes and post-it notes are the best option for

reminders and 'notes to self'. To avoid clutter,

get a corkboard for this purpose, or use a

blackboard.

Live houseplants can make a real difference to the atmosphere in

your office, figuratively and

literally! Some plants, like the peace lily, are

very easy to grow, even without natural

light.