With the ongoing pandemic, many companies are encouraging their employees to work remotely. But, long before the outbreak, many people were working from home on a full-time basis as more and more companies were moving towards remote teams.
There are many benefits to working from home: a flexible work schedule, no commute stress, better work-life balance, and a personalized workstation. You can personalize your workstation here.
However, the greatest challenge of working from home is separating your personal life from your work or business. Your productivity will depend on how well you can focus on work. Setting up an area to work should be our first step in remote work.
So, whether it’s your first time working from home or you are an old hand at it, it’s time to set up a professional workspace. Here is how you can go about it.
Identify A Dedicated Workspace
Yes, you are working from home, but do you have a specific place to conduct your work, or do you just walk to your sitting room or bedroom and work from there? The location of your workspace has a significant impact on your productivity.
If you have a spacious house, identifying a space is much more comfortable. You may already have a library or spare room you can use, but if you have a smaller house or apartment, then you will have to become more creative.
An ideal workspace has minimal traffic for fewer distractions. Other considerations include privacy and enough room to accommodate your tools and equipment.
If you want to double up your office work with parenting, you need a place where you can keep an eye on your kids as they study or play.
If your work will produce a lot of noise or pose a danger to your family members, consider setting up in your garage or shed, away from your house.
What are your options?
- Spare corner
- Dining room/Kitchen
- Converted garage
- Extra room in your house
- Basement
Get A Suitable Desk And Chair
Starting with the desk, ensure it can accommodate everything you need for your work, including desktops/laptops, files, and telephone, among other things.
The desk must be of proper height – not too high and not too low. Having a cabinet beneath the table can be an added advantage where you can store things like files or documents.
Invest in an adjustable chair to increase your comfort. There is no doubt that you’ll spend most of your time on the chair, so find the best chair you can within your budget. A good chair will go a long way in ensuring you are productive and avoid health and posture problems.
Ensure There Is Adequate Light
Those using computers/laptops may not see the need for light since the gadgets produce light. However, to stay productive, you need adequate light at your workstation.
If you can access natural light, the better, but if you have no access to natural light, a desk lamp works well. You can also install overhead lighting systems to boost the light.
Inadequate lighting can cause headaches and eye strain.
Stable & Fast Internet Connection
An internet connection is vital for a home office.
If your work relies heavily on the internet or uses more than one monitor, you should invest in an internet router.
If you do video or bandwidth-intensive work, you should use an Ethernet cable to connect to your router for speedy connections.
For basic office work, your current WiFi plan will suffice.
Declutter Your Home Office
A clean, organized space helps your brain process information faster.
Invest in a cabinet to store away items such as files, documents, and tools that are not in use. Wireless gadgets like the mouse, routers, and printers, will ensure you have no cables or cords scattered all over the place. If you must use wires, cords, or cables, make sure to place them behind or under the desk where they cannot be seen.
Personalize Your Space
You don’t have to keep everything looking like your cubicle at work – remember, it’s still your home, and you have every right to decorate your workspace as you wish.
You can decide to match your work area with your home style and design. Paint the walls with your favourite colour. If you have some artwork that inspires or motivates you, you can add it too.
Adding some personal touches to your home office increases productivity since it brightens up your day while making you feel at home.
Install A HVAC System
When it’s too cold or too warm, it becomes uncomfortable, and you cannot concentrate on your work.
Besides, the air coming from the outdoors may contain bacteria, odour, and other pollutants that may be harmful to your health. HVAC systems regulate heat, airflow, ventilation, and air conditioning, keeping your indoor air quality high.
Contact a professional, like the experts at heating and air conditioning New Jersey to help you out with the HVAC solution, including advice, installation, and maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Save yourself the stress of having to commute daily by setting up a perfect home office. Not only will you have a flexible schedule, but you will also save time and money, and with the above tips, setting up your space for productivity will be a breeze.
