Working From Home? Here's How To Set Up Your Home Office

Find yourself working from home? Here are 4 tips to help the transition from the office to the home office: 

Keep it Professional: 

If you’ve never worked from home before, you’d often fantasize about working in your pajamas on your bed or sofa. And as wonderful as that does sound, it’s not practical. If you don’t have one already, get an office chair and desk for your home office. Getting an office chair will get you into gear, and support your posture. Sitting in an armchair or sofa won’t let you focus, and a hard kitchen chair will distract you. Getting an office chair will help you get right into the swing of things. Don’t forget to wear professional clothes for that impromptu meeting and keep a morning routine.

Make a Dedicated Office Space:

If you don’t already have an office space in your home, choose a space where you won’t get distracted. Setting up in the kitchen isn’t a good idea because you’ll be thinking about food or the dishes you really should’ve done already the whole day. Choose a location where you won’t be bothered by your kids (as often), or other things happening in your home. Dedicate your office as only a place you work in. Working from home adds a new set of problems, attempt avoiding distractions and mixing your home and work life.

You might not have the space for a whole room to become your new office. Finding a corner in your bedroom might be the next best thing! Don’t forget to keep your windows open, add your own art and other accessories.

Build Your Own Office: 

Take advantage of the opportunity. Most offices have cruel, harsh lights. Setting up your desk next to windows can bring you the sunlight that you need throughout the day. If you don’t have a location that is next to a window, bring over your own lamp. You can style your office how you want. You know yourself and what will fit your needs. 

You can also take the opportunity to set up your desk in any way you want to. Little accessories, like a simple pencil cup or sticky-notes, can go a long way. Adding plants can improve your air quality and improves concentration in a work environment. Enjoy creating your own space, but don’t overcrowd your desk. Don’t forget about your walls. Adding a cork board where you can pin photos of your family and other art is a simple way to add more to your office!

Get Equipment: 

Make sure you have everything you need to be working from home. You’re going to need to know if your laptop will work or if bringing a computer home from work will function better. If you’re home, your WI-FI needs to be quick enough to keep up with video chats and other software you’re using. The IT department will have a harder time helping you remotely, so when issues do arise, have a backup. 

A big part of working from home is communication. Make sure your team has decided on what to use for communication. Know how to use the software. Slack, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts, are heavily used by companies. Be ready to jump on a conference call at anytime, even if that means wearing a business appropriate shirt!

If you find that you can focus at home, there’s plenty of different co-working spaces you can work at.

Working from home can be a dream come true. There’s a fine balance between home and work. It’s easy to get caught up in the distractions but it’s also just as easy to never take a break. When working it’s important to know yourself and what your weakness is. Knowing this, you can become the most productive you!