Even though the COVID-19 pandemic situation has been getting better now, a lot of companies still allow their employees to work from home. Some of them even let their employees do remote work permanently. The remote working phenomenon has been a part of our routines that can’t be separated from our work lives.
Before working from home phenomena were even a “thing”, our homes were the place for us to rest and spend time with our family. Now, they have one more function–as our workspaces. We need some effort to separate our homes, so our personal lives will not blend together with our work lives.
Get your notes ready! We are going to give you a thorough guide to designing your own home office setup. We cover everything from which workspace’s location to choose to the best office tools to improve your productivity while working remotely.
Why Your Home Office Setup is Important?
As a remote employee, creating the perfect home office setup and taking your time with it might make all the difference. While it might look cozy to work on a couch or a bed, those places are not the best place to work. Improper workspace can affect your health and work life as well as your productivity. So, when it comes to working from home, a proper home office setup is necessary. It helps to establish a proper nuance for you to work, while also boosting your productivity as well to keep you stay organized.
How to Setup a Great Home Office
You might be wondering how to start with all the information you just learn about home office setup. Alright, without further ado, here are the tips and tricks we have curated to create a great home office.
- A dedicated workspace
- Find an ergonomic desk and chair
- Good lighting
- Strong internet connection
- Invest in a good-quality headphone
- Keep inspirations nearby
- Put some plants on your desk
- Get a whiteboard and sticky notes
A dedicated workspace
Find a workspace that works best for you, it is best to pick a quiet room to avoid distractions and maximize your productivity. If it is possible, choose a room that has a door of its own to help separate your work life and your personal life.
Find an ergonomic desk and chair
- Desk
When it comes to working desks, many people prefer a clean and tidy desk since it gives a pleasant vibe to work in it. As a result, a larger desk is favored, as it reduces crowding. However, it is also important to consider the ergonomic aspect before buying a desk for your home office. You may want to consider buying an adjustable standing desk because it is an excellent ergonomic choice. With an adjustable desk, you can easily raise it so you can stand while working and then lower it so you can sit for a bit.
- Chair
Seating should be considered an investment in your health, comfort, and productivity rather than a cost. Many remote employees spend the majority of their day sitting. Because you will be spending a lot of time sitting, it is a good idea to start with a comfortable chair. In this case, purchasing an ergonomic chair is the ideal option because it is an effective answer to your backache problems due to its great lumbar support.
Good lighting
Lighting has a significant impact on the comfort of your workspace. So, it is important to choose a good lighting option for your workspace. During the day, it is best to rely on natural lighting because it can improve your productivity while working at home. Avoid using fluorescent lighting since it might make you drowsy.
Strong internet connection
One of the most infuriating aspects of working from home is dealing with a bad internet connection. It keeps you from finishing your job, and poor WiFi can interrupt video calls. Without a doubt, fast WiFi is a crucial component of a productive working environment.
It is recommended to go with a high-speed internet service that offers at least 50 Mbps. If you have a lot of meetings, connect your device to your router with an Ethernet wire to ensure a stable and fast internet connection.
Invest in good-quality headphones
A pair of high-quality headphones may boost your ability to focus on your job by removing all distractions from your office and replacing it with positive energy. Headphones help you concentrate during online meetings without being distracted by your surroundings. Additionally, using headphones allow you to listen to music without bothering anybody else. Music also helps to calm your body and mind, which has been shown to increase productivity at work.
Keep inspirations nearby
You can decorate your workspace with something that will give you motivation and inspiration, like your family pictures, inspirational posters, or some relaxing paintings. Putting these things allow you to make your environment seems more like you and boosts your mood while you are doing your job. However, don’t overdo it to the point where it becomes distracting.
Put some plants in your home office
Plants are more than simply attractive ornaments. They can bring some life into your workspace setting. A few plants around the room provide fresh air, help to manage stress, refocus energy, and offer a therapeutic experience.
If you are new to this, you can pick an easy-to-care-for plant and place it near your workspace, so it can benefit from the light. Start with some little succulent plants that just require occasional watering.
Get a whiteboard and sticky notes
Whether we are in an online meeting or just doing our usual job desk, during remote work, we constantly keep our eyes glued to the screen. It is not unusual to spend hours staring at the same thing on your computer when you are brainstorming an important task. When you find yourself stuck in that situation, it is best to go the traditional way and keep your eyes off the screen for a while.
Keeping whiteboards and sticky notes at your remote office can offer you a pleasant approach to brainstorming ideas, sketching out plans, and conceiving your goals, which can directly result in an increase in productivity.
