When you're working from home, a key factor in maximising productivity is the layout and design of your home office.

2. When you're working
from home, a key
factor in maximising
productivity is the
layout and design of
your home office.

3. 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.

4. Keep watching for
some top tips on
creating a home office
layout that will work
best for you...

5. Never position your
computer opposite a
window as the glare
from the monitor will
strain your eyes.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. To minimise the
number of cables and
wires, take the cordless
and wireless options for
your phone and
computer equipment.

14. 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.

15. 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.