Setting Up The Perfect Home Office
(Image from thebalancesmb.com)
Whether a temporary space has been created to accommodate the shift of the recent change to remote work, or something more permanent has been a staple for working recently but perhaps not fit for purpose, there’s no better time to spruce up that home office and make it a perfect space to get stuff done – this may mean removing unnecessary distractions as some here for popular online options have only grown, as well as some other tough decisions to get the space to where it needs to be, but once completed can become a refuge whilst working at home.
Don’t skimp on equipment – Sitting in the same chair for eight hours a day, or at the same desk can certainly take its toll if not sized up right or if it’s not comfortable from the very first time, and this is where it’s important not to skimp. A high-quality chair doesn’t need to break the bank, but don’t be afraid to spend a little extra to get something that provides proper support. A lot of businesses have closed or downscaled their offices in recent months, so there may be a great opportunity to grab some top-quality office gear at a lower cost, particularly for a good desk or chair.
Get a door lock, too – Nothing’s more frustrating than having the workflow broken by a visitor, and whilst it’s great to have the wife and kids wonder if to break up the day, there are times where really buckling down and getting things done is important. For these times in particular, having a lock on the door for when it’s really needed will give that much needed time to really focus on work, without any unneeded distractions.
Don’t be afraid to put some time into the aesthetic of the office too – It can often go ignored, but things like the color of the office, the amount of light coming in, and the heat of the office can be very important in influencing mood and productivity whilst working from home – dedicate some time and some resource to creating a space that’s relaxing and encourages work to stay on track too. This will be particularly important if it’s a full-time home office too as it’ll have a profound impact on the long weeks spent working from home.
Whilst it’s not something that can be physically done too, it’s important to create a space that is only for work too – it’s easy to fall into the trap of not getting off of work on time and staying in the office for too long, so try to keep times a bit more strict in order not to overwork or burnout whilst at home.