The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it multiple challenges. Among those challenges was forcing businesses to transition to digital platforms. Couple that with lockdown measures in various areas and working-from-home became the next best option for countless professionals.
This pandemic has also exposed an individual’s need for practical living spaces. Being cooped up inside a house for an extended amount of time can be maddening. It eliminates the barrier that separates your profession from your personal life. In these times, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important.
The Need For Home Offices
Despite the limited amount of rooms within a home, different spaces should have distinct functions. A kitchen is a place where you prepare meals for anybody. The dining area is where those meals are enjoyed. The living room is for lounging and spending time with family or friends. Of course, a bedroom is a place for rest. Where does that leave you to do your work?
Setting up a home office of your own is a worthwhile investment. Especially with work-from-home being part of your daily routine, you need to have your own space free from any distractions that may hinder your productivity. Here are a few things to consider before you begin setting up your own workspace at home.
Getting in the Zone
Choosing a space for your home office is obviously the first step for you to consider. Ideally, the area you’re looking at should be spacious enough to accommodate any necessary work equipment. Identify certain rooms or even corners that are rarely used such as the guest room.
The lighting and view are both important aspects that could heavily affect your work. Choose a particular space that has wide windows to give you enough sunlight. This will significantly reduce eye strain especially if you’re looking at a computer screen all day. You could also cover your windows with window films for proper heat control to help regulate room temperature.
Your home office should also have as much privacy as possible. If the current space within your home is limited, consider adding an extension dedicated to your workspace. For more budget-friendly and less time-consuming options, you could simply get creative and add a partition inside the space your office is currently set up in.
Keep It Professional
Working-from-home should not be used as an excuse for you to not keep your area clean. Clutter can also be distracting and detrimental to your efficiency. Organize your space accordingly and get rid of anything extra. Store items that are not frequently used somewhere else to give yourself more room to work.
Consider how you would accommodate a client or colleague within your home office as well. Be it physically or virtually, make sure that the surrounding environment is inviting and not messy. Keeping things organized will also encourage you to personalize your office however you see fit which can be extremely helpful in affecting your mentality towards work.
Change the color of your walls. Hang some artwork around the room. Simple things like these will make you appreciate working-from-home and help you perform better. Work will undoubtedly become more enjoyable for you.
Everything You Need For Work
An essential part of the home office is, of course, office gear. Everything from your laptop to your hard drives, make sure that all your work equipment is properly setup. Even the seemingly small items that are easily overlooked should be present. Invest in a functioning mouse that’s comfortable on your hands. Choose a webcam and mic that offers great quality for online meetings. Make sure your Wi-Fi is secure.
Take note of the work desk you have as well. This is the most vital piece of furniture in any home office. Does it have enough room for you to comfortably work in? Is it the right height so you won’t have to constantly adjust your posture while working? Whether it’s custom-made or prefabricated, choose the right one for your space.
Be mindful of the things you’ll be putting inside your home office. Everything should be beneficial for you or your work. Equipping your space with all the necessary tools will make you question why you even had to go to the office on a regular basis.
Home For Good
The pandemic still continues to persist. Despite the approval and manufacturing of a vaccine, a new strain has been identified. Given these recent events that have transpired coming into the new year, a lot of professionals have been questioning whether a return to the offices will be seen in the near future.
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll be going back to your old workplace anytime soon. A lot of companies have also been looking into providing permanent work-from-home situations even after this pandemic has passed. Regardless of what happens, having a dedicated space for you to work within the comforts of your own home has become a necessity. Get to work on building your home office now.
