Following the orders to stay home last March, offices around the globe closed their doors. In doing so, millions of people who had never worked from home, were presented with a ‘new norm’. But with the likelihood of us returning to our offices anytime soon dwindling, and reports suggesting that over half us would like to continue to work from home in the long-run, it’s time to think long-term about creating a functional home office that works for you and your abode.
Space
If you’ve found you’ve been spending your workdays hunched over a laptop at your kitchen table or even worse working from the sofa, it’s time to carve out some dedicated workspace. A workstation doesn’t need to be large, in fact if space is tight at home, then a corner of the room is just perfect.
It’s important that you can close the door at the end of the day to keep your work-life and your home-life separate. But if a home office is out of the question, then having a desk tucked neatly away in a corner, or behind cupboard doors is the next best thing.
Lighting
Proper lighting without glare or shadows, can reduce eye fatigue and headaches, and can help you remain productive throughout the day. Ideally you should set up your home office close to plenty of natural light. Even on the darkest winter day, natural light can help brighten our moods. And if you do suffer from SAD, you might find that investing in a SAD light and having it on your desk will help, especially post 3pm.
Equipment
In a traditional office environment, you’d have all the equipment you needed to help you get the job done, but with a home office a bit more thought is needed. You’ll need to have enough desk space that can accommodate your needs, as well as one you can sit comfortably at. The way you sit at your desk can have a long-term impact on your posture, so investing in an adjustable chair is imperative. And if you notice it stops adjusting, instead of throwing it away and buying a new one, you can just replace the gas struts. If you work solely from a laptop, consider using a laptop stand with wireless keyboard and mouse to further help your posture.
Storage
A key component to creating a clutter-free home office is plenty of storage space. This could be desk drawers and bookcases. And don’t forget to utilise space above the desk for shelving. Storage is especially key if your home office doubles as a spare bedroom or is located in your living room.
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© Copyright 2021 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife
