2020 has been the year to work from home. The COVID-19 pandemic has strict social distancing enforced in countries around the world, forcing many people to begin to work remotely. The concept looks set to stay for the foreseeable future, too, so ensuring that your home office is set up correctly is vital to ensuring you can remain as productive as possible.
Working from home does require certain discipline, but it can also offer you a number of advantages. One of the most significant benefits is that it provides you with unrivaled flexibility, meaning you can take a break or personal call whenever you want. You can work around your personal life too, while also cutting down on that lengthy commute, ensuring you enjoy a greater work/life balance.
Top Tips to set up your home office
Remote work requires you to have the perfect home office set up. While you might think that working from the comfort of your sofa will be perfect, it is not conducive to a productive day at work.
So if you are beginning to work from home and are wondering how to set up your office, here are our top tips:
1) Create a dedicated workspace
One of the most important steps you should make first is to create a clear working area. If your home has the space, then dedicating a small room as your office is great but if, like most people, you do not have that space, then make sure you set out a clear area for a desk. Having this space will help you to separate your home and your work, allowing you to focus on the tasks at hand.
2) Invest in an office chair
You might think that your dining table chair will be suitable enough, after a couple of days, you will soon realize that it is not feasible. You will be spending a long time sitting in that chair, so finding one that provides your back, arms, and thighs with ample support will ensure you remain comfortable throughout the day, allowing you to focus on the tasks at hand.
3) Utilize high-speed internet
One thing that many people quickly realize when they start to work from home is that their current home Wi-Fi is not up to scratch. A slow internet connection can disrupt your working day significantly, or seeing you unable to make important calls on video conferencing software.
4) Ensure plenty of natural light
Natural light is incredibly important to your working day. Research has shown that it not only helps to regulate your body and give you a better night’s sleep, but it can improve your overall productivity too.
5) Watch your working hours
When you work remotely, it can be very easy to lose track of your working day and end up never switching off from work. Keeping a clock in a visible view of your home office will help you to keep track of the time and ensure that you do not become burnt out.
6) Add some greenery
Another top tip if you are working remotely is to give your home office a splash of color through plants. Not only do they help to bring the natural world inside, but they are proven to help you feel more relaxed and can even help with concentration.
7) Stock up on essentials
Finally, if you are just starting to work from home, then you might not realize quite how many essential items such as pens, paper, and printer ink are. Make sure you stock up on these items and keep them nearby, ensuring you can always perform your job and never run out.
