Over the last couple of years, remote working has gained momentum that made employers realize that it is not mandatory to work from your official office. Working from a home office reduces the time you spend commuting to your place of work to not more than 30 seconds. It is a great thing since it increases your working hours. But to work effectively, you must set up a home office.
Working at home does not mean you work from the bed or couch. Also, it does not mean that you work from the bed or backyard. It means that you set up a proper office at home to work with as few disruptions as possible. Reaching Aspiration invites you to continue reading to see how you can set up an efficient office at home.
1. Selecting an Ideal Location
Choosing where to locate your office at home may not be as easy as it sounds. You need a quiet room which you can dedicate to your office space. The room should be empty and should not have too much traffic.
An empty bedroom or basement could be the best option for you. But if your bedroom is tight and you do not have a basement, you must be creative and decide where else you can locate your office. If there is absolutely no extra space, you may use part of the kitchen table as your office.
2. Adding Privacy to the Room
If you do not have a dedicated room, which you can convert it into an office, you may need to add some privacy to separate your work area from home. Bob Vila notes that using temporary dividers may help you demarcate the boundary and add privacy to the office. You may also use curtains to close the door of your office. However, you will need to choose something that blends well with the house decor.
Privacy is also important to avoid destruction from kids when working. Create a work schedule and let them know what time is suitable for hanging out together and when you’ll be working.
3. Spruce It Up With Creative Design
Don’t forget about the importance of design in your home office, not just for productivity but for creativity as well. You can accessorise and personalise all you want, just be sure the space remains uncluttered. Use open-top floor lamps to augment the lighting, and if you will have customers or clients visiting, be sure you have plenty of space for a couple of comfy chairs and a nice table (which shouldn’t be overly large).
As with the other improvements listed in this post, these expenses can be deducted from your taxes, so be sure to save all your receipts. Capital expenditures for improvements, startup costs, and business assets can be claimed, as can the space allocated and dedicated for business use. If you have any questions, conferring with a tax professional may be in order.
4. Streamline, Streamline, Streamline
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder.” That definitely applies to the office! For instance, if you’re working from home and need to send PDFs for promotional or design purposes, you might occasionally have trouble with the file size. But using a tool like this one allows you to compress the file, meaning you can get your team members the information they need without problems.
Also, the comfort of your office should be a priority, as well. If you make your office comfortable, you will want to spend most of your time working. It enhances productivity. Therefore, ensure to invest in a comfortable chair and desk. The chair should be able to support the back when working. An ergonomic office chair could offer you the correct support.
Also, Recruiter.com suggests investing in an office table. It should neither be too high nor too low. An adjustable chair could be fine for you. It will allow you to adjust the height appropriately. The chair should also have an armrest and a backrest. It could be suitable for your office if it is built with lumbar support.
5. Adjust Your Monitor
The neck and the eyes, too, need some support. As such, ensure that you buy the right monitor for your office work. Adjust and test it to ensure that the eyes and the neck are comfortable. Adjust it to allow the spine to stay in a neutral position when working.
Tilt the monitor at an angle of 20 degrees to ensure that you look at the screen at an angle of between 45 and 30 degrees. The rule of thumb is not to tilt your head too much. Buy an adjustable monitor and invest in a screen riser.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a home office is a worthwhile investment. It helps you create a professional environment where you can work comfortably. The office should have enough light and should be inviting. Ensure to place a few plants and flowers to make it look natural. Soon you’ll be productive and focused in your new home office!
Manny Seymour is an interior design enthusiast who loves helping others make their home look beautiful. When he’s not working as a retail store manager, he’s usually found scrolling on Pinterest, or spending time with his longtime partner, Daniel and their cat, Garfield. Manny created All is Dwell to offer interior decorating guidance to those on a budget. Manny thinks that everyone should be able to have a lovely home, and he’s happy to help anyone who needs it!
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