A Remote Employee’s Guide To Designing A Home Office Space

Today, more businesses have realized the benefits of allowing employees to work remotely. The flexible work arrangement encourages each employee to create a routine that allows them to be fully present at work while making time for recreation and other responsibilities.

While a remote working setup may be good news for some, this arrangement can imply constant distractions, time and energy management, and less social interaction with officemates.

However, with the right environment and setup, it is possible to focus and stay productive in a home office. It may take some time, effort, and adjustments to create a conducive space for work as a remote employee, but with this guide, you can achieve it with minimal effort.

Home Office Design 101

Whether you’re planning to spruce up your home workstation or someone new to the remote working arrangement, below is a quick guide to designing a home office.

1. Optimizing Your Home Office Setup

Working remotely has become the norm for many, and having a well-designed home office can significantly enhance productivity and comfort. Beyond furniture and decor, ensuring your technical setup is optimal is crucial. One of the most important aspects of this is your internet connection. A stable and fast internet connection is essential for video conferences, large file transfers, and efficient communication.

2. Internet Speed Test

Before diving into work, it’s a good idea to perform an internet speed test. This will help you understand your current internet speed and determine if it’s sufficient for your work needs. Ideally, remote work requires a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 3 Mbps. If your speeds are lower, consider upgrading your plan or troubleshooting your connection to avoid any disruptions during critical tasks.

Adding this step to your setup routine ensures you won’t face unexpected lags or connectivity issues, which can hamper productivity and cause frustration.

3. Purchase Necessary Equipment And Ergonomic Furniture

To boost your performance and motivation to work while at home, it’s crucial to equip yourself with the right office desk and comfortable furniture. However, before purchasing any furniture, identify a corner in the house to transform into a makeshift workstation. This should be in a dedicated area where you can concentrate.

Examine the corner’s space to determine the types of furniture that’ll fit exactly there. If you have a small space, consider wireless and paperless options that’ll help you save more storage space. For instance, you can store files in a cloud and other similar secure digital applications.

However, if you have the luxury of space and your work compels you to keep piles of documents and records, opt for smart furniture options and multifunctional storage items to help you collect these in one go. In addition, you can look into Fort Collins Office Furniture and other similar businesses with space planning solutions that’ll fit your priorities and specific requirements.

Apart from your desk and storage options, make sure to purchase an ergonomically designed chair. Since you’ll be working at your desk nearly the entire time, make sure that you’re comfortable enough so you’ll stay sharp and productive. An ergonomic chair can also help you avoid potential strains and injuries from sitting too much.

4. Have A Couple Of Lighting Options

If your office space is located near a window, this may help you avoid drowsiness, improve your mood, and boost productivity. Also, soaking in natural light can help you sustain your daily Vitamin D needs. This essential vitamin helps you maintain various bodily functions, including but not limited to healthy cognitive function, calcium absorption, and insulin management.

Nonetheless, if your workstation is far from any direct natural light, consider other lighting alternatives. Appropriate lighting fixtures can also help you reap the perks provided by natural light. For instance, a well-lit workspace can help you read documents clearly and avoid headaches and eye strain. In addition, it can help you create a comfortable work environment.

If you work at night, a table lamp light can help you focus on tasks. You can also purchase an aesthetic lamp light that can add visual interest and transform the ambiance of your work office, inspiring you to complete your tasks. Additionally, make sure that your preferred lighting option is placed in an area where it doesn’t produce glare from your laptop screens.

5. Paint Your Space

If you’re going to create a home office, you might as well transform it and spruce it up with a fresh coat of paint. Choose a color palette that’ll help expand your energy and enthusiasm for work.

If you prefer to infuse optimism in your workspace, choose bright yet pleasing shades. These are perfect for making your room vibrant and less tedious. For instance, yellow prompts engagement and improves work efficiency, while red encourages deliberateness.

However, if you feel distracted by loud hues, opt for subtle, calm colors such as beige, white, or mint green. Colors can influence your mind and enhance your work atmosphere. Hence, try to come up with a color scheme that will optimize productivity during your work shift. You can work with experts and interior designers to help you choose a palette that perfectly combines bright and muted colors.

The Bottom Line

If your company is starting to accommodate a remote working setup, prepare ahead and make sure that the transition goes smoothly. By following the guide above, you can have an idea of creating a comfortable, makeshift office space that will help you stay focused and motivated to work.