More and more people are telecommuting, as the benefits of remote work are seen by companies and employees alike. If you have a home office is, you need to create an environment that will be productive, inspiring, and comfortable.
The perfect home office marries design ideas carried through the rest of the home with those from the corporate workplace to create the ultimate work environment — a place you enjoy being and where you can get things done.
Creating a home office
Choose the perfect space
The first approach in creating a home office that prioritizes productivity is to find the ideal location. Choose a room where it will be easy to separate business and personal life. This means a quiet space near a window with enough natural light to boost your productivity.
Be sure you have room for everything essential to your work. If your work area is small, take advantage of vertical space by installing shelves above your desk or putting tall bookcases adjacent. Opt for furniture that can serve double duty. An all-in-one machine — printer, copier, scanner, fax — can also be a great space-saver.
Also, are there enough electrical outlets? Is it possible to run a phone line and Internet connection into the room? Of course, no room is off-limits if you rely on just your cell phone and already have wireless Internet.
When the space to do all this is limited, you must be creative in your “working space.” For example, consider unused areas in larger rooms, spacious closets, and the space under your stairs. With a bit of creativity, numerous places can be converted into offices.
Choose carefully the things that you’ll need
As you build your home office, evaluate what you truly need to perform your job correctly. This can help you organize what you need to buy and start working immediately. Investing in your home office setup also means investing in yourself and your comfort. Consider choosing the following items for your home office setup:
- A useable desk
- Shelving and storage
- A laptop or computer
- A monitor and printer/copier/scanner
- A comfortable and supportive chair
- Sufficient lighting
- Filing cabinets
- A reliable Internet provider
- A fast Internet router and wifi
- A power strip and a charging cable or pad
Concentrating on the necessities, you could maintain your desk clutter-free and begin working as quickly as possible. Having a clear, neat desk with plenty of room can allow you to concentrate better.
Adding personal touches
Don’t forget to include personal belongings that will make you feel more at ease in the place. Some people find that displaying photos and other items. Still, limit what you keep on your desk to the things you use most often. Decorative or sentimental objects are acceptable in a home office, but it’s usually best to place them on a shelf.
Check your background
Whether prepping for an interview or representing your company’s values in client-facing video calls, picking the best background for video conferencing will make a great impression.
Curating your real home office background is the best option if you have the time and resources to redecorate. You’ll have more freedom to express your style and create a comfortable, calm environment to inspire you at work.
On the other hand, virtual backgrounds are best for people with limited resources and those who don’t have the option to redecorate.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can create a home office that is both comfortable and efficient — and let’s face it, we could all use a little more of both in our lives. So how will you start transforming your space into the perfect home office?
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