The ability to work from home is not new for many entrepreneurs and professionals. With the changing industry trends and business requirements, more and more companies and individuals choose to work in their own homes. Regardless if you’re negotiating with your boss to switch to remote work or you’re an entrepreneur starting a home-based business, it’s important to decide if you want to do this for the long term or not.
If yes, we’re here to guide you on how you can create an ideal permanent home office. Such workspace is crucial for maintaining your privacy during work hours, free from interruptions or distractions. Plus, having a comfortable working environment can make it easier to do work without sacrificing your physical and mental wellness. Continue reading to find out how you can start creating your own home office.
Prioritize your privacy
Privacy is a no-brainer in setting up a home office. You can’t possibly get some work done if you have family members disturbing you now and then. As much as possible, choose a room that’s not close to high traffic areas like the living room or the kitchen. In case you have an open space or don’t have an extra room, setting up a work desk in the corner will do.
You can separate your mini office from the rest of the house using screen or panel room dividers. Most importantly, make it a point to avoid any leisure activity when you’re at your desk. To further minimize distraction, avoid bringing any personal devices in your workspace. Or, when not in use, place your tablets or smartphones in a dedicated spot.
Boost Internet connectivity
The next important aspect of a home office is your Internet connection. If you readily have an installed connection at your home, ensure your workspace has the best reception. You can consider making a wired connection for faster and better quality during business calls and meetings. You can also consider upgrading your router, especially if you’ve been using it for five years or so.
At the same time, check if your internet service provider or ISP supplies the proper upload and download speeds on your plan. This is particularly important when doing bandwidth-intensive tasks such as editing videos, sharing large files, and teleconferencing. Renegotiate your current plan if you think you require more bandwidth.
Consider indoor air quality
There’s no question that indoor air quality plays a significant role in setting up a comfortable and productive workspace at home. More than that, it’s strongly associated with your health and wellness. Indeed, you don’t want to get sick while working at home, right? For one, you can install a radon mitigation system to flush out the harmful gas that enters your house. Radon gas is linked to lung cancer and the disease’s second known cause behind cigarette smoking. Look for radon mitigation and testing experts to help you out.
Aside from that, do something about moist or humid conditions in the house. These issues breed mildew and mold that can trigger respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. You can use dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture in your home. There are also different humidifiers out there that can help keep your house’s humidity levels consistent. Other ways to improve indoor air quality include maintaining the carpets and rugs clean, changing AC filters regularly, and getting house plants.
Plan out your lighting
Lastly, consider the light in your home office. Natural light is the best option for promoting productivity and concentration and reducing eyestrain and headaches. It’s also proven to improve your mood and help you sleep better at night, which you need after a tiring workday. Place your work desk near a window to maximize daylight exposure. If the outside view is distracting for you, you should at least open your windows when working.
As for using artificial options, it’s best to keep the lights indirect to prevent glare. You can use lampshades or any decorative office lighting that scatter and softens the light. If you’re doing focus-intensive tasks such as paperwork or computer work, an articulated or adjustable task light is a good choice. Consider proper placement to prevent annoying shadows or glare when doing your job.
Creating the ideal home office is more than just having your own space for professional endeavors. It’s also a way to achieve a positive work-life balance, giving you a physical distinction between what’s personal and what’s work. In other words, it helps you switch into work mode when you need to.