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A key to productivity when working from home is having a dedicated home office space. It is important to set this up properly to train your brain to say ‘ it is now work time and I need to be productive.’ Avoid plopping down on your couch or bed with your laptop. It may be comfortable for a while, but in the long run, it is good to have a dedicated office space. Here is a list of suggestions to set up a home office for remote work. I have used these recommendations in my home, and in other remote locations, such as visiting my mom, or a hotel room.
Find a cozy nook in your home
Here are some ideas for places you can make an office if you don’t have a designated office room. They should be places where you won’t have family members walking through frequently to minimize traffic and allowing you to focus. You should also be able to access them easily.
- a guest room
- a section of a living room
- a corner of any room
- an area against a wall
- a section of a kitchen
- the end of a dining table
- one part of a large hallway or foyer
- a garage
- an attic
- a basement
I would avoid your bedroom, only because you don’t want to associate it with work and disrupt sleep. If you use places like an attic, garage, or basement try to make sure you have temperature control so that you are comfortable.
Consider lighting needs to set-up a home office for remote work
Think about the lighting you need. Some computer-based jobs require the room to be dark. If you prefer to have it well-lit, consider finding a place near a window for natural light or add a lamp. Do you have enough light for people to see you clearly on a teleconference or webinar.
Add the “must have” items to your office space
What are the items that you must have versus what would be nice to have. Think minimalist. If it is needed, add it to your list. If it is nice to have then consider whether you really need it. Consider this: If you were going to work temporarily in a hotel room, what would be the minimal items you would put in your briefcase to take with you? However, if something brings you comfort and joy, such as framed photos, a plant, or favorite books, by all means, add it to the list. If you have a small space, can printers, bookshelves, file cabinets, or other furniture be placed in another room? This will help to avoid clutter and keep you focused and productive.
Possible “must haves” for your remote home office
- Desk
- Office Chair
- Surge Protector
- Computer
- Keyboard
- Monitor
Possible “nice to have” for your remote home office
- Pad
- Pencil/Pen
- mouse (with batteries, if needed)
- USB stick
- External Hard drive
- Docking Station
- Lamps
- Wastebasket
- Reference Books
- Family photos in frames
- Plants
- Printer/Scanner/FAX
- Printer Paper
- Additional Office supplies (paper clips, staplers, markers, pencils, etc)
- File cabinets
- Book Shelves
- anything that makes you comfortable or productive
Find a good office chair
This is probably the most important part of the office. Find an adjustable office chair that is comfortable. Adjust it to the proper height to work with the desk or table you are using. If you must, you can use a dining chair or alternate chair type, but try to make sure you have proper height, so you can have good posture and reach when you are working at a computer. Important to have good office ergonomics so you don’t injure yourself.
Add a desk for your home office for remote work
Make sure you have enough space to put your computer, a monitor if you use one, and a writing pad and pen next to it, if you use them. You can also use a table or the end of a dining table, if needed. Just make sure you can accommodate the needed items. Keep the desk clear of other things and avoid cluttering it up.
Add a green screen
If you will be doing video conferencing then add a green screen. You can buy professional adjustable green screens. In all honesty, I use a green, plastic, tablecloth sold in the party goods section of a retail store. I use clips and tape to put it up behind me on a rack. You can also use green wrapping paper or a green sheet. Just make sure to test it first with your screen background and to ensure it doesn’t fall during your call.
Use natural baskets or fabric bins to hide peripherals and accessories
To keep a neat workspace, get some pretty baskets or bins. Put your accessories that you must have such as pens, paper, batteries in here. Think about your overall aesthetic and add baskets or bins that go with your decor. Here are some pretty bin and basket ideas.
Consider the aesthetics of your office space
Is the decor pleasing to you? Does it feel like a space where you can be productive? Does it feel comfortable? Try out the space and make sure you are able to be productive from here. I once set up a space in a guest room and worked here for a few weeks only to realize that somehow I really wasn’t comfortable. I moved the desk to another side of the room and Voila! instantly better. Consider moving things around. Maybe repositioning a desk or monitor makes things better. Perhaps adding a certain type of decor makes you more comfortable, or you need a certain type of lighting or wall color. It should be a place you like working from and can be productive.
Consider the ambient noise of your space
Are you in a space where the gardeners with their noisy mowers can be heard? Is one of your family member’s loud TV or voice carrying over to your room? Would your voice echo if you were on a call? Can family members playing music or video games, easily be heard? In some cases, you may be able to use headphones or tolerate the noise for a limited time. Consider a different location if the noise is persistent.
Test the wifi, cell phone coverage, and outlets in your space
Have your ever set-up an office somewhere just to find out you couldn’t make a call or get wifi? Do you get good wifi and cell phone coverage in your office space? Are there enough outlets for you to plug in your computer, monitor, peripherals. Make sure of these things before you set-up your remote office.
Keep your office space clutter free zone
While the room around you may be busy, make your office area a clutter-free zone. Protect it from accumulating mail, paper, receipts, etc. Designate an hour at the end of the week, or 10 minutes a day, to clear or file any unwanted items. Consider, storing things in another room if you have more storage space there. For example, do you have a briefcase you only use on trips that you can put in a closet? Can you put sales binders in a box or a shelf somewhere else in the house?
Working from home is truly a privilege. Set-up a home office for remote work to be comfortable and productive each day. May your workday be filled with inspiration and joy.
