As more people work from home today, I want to share some ideas for a guide to set up your home office. Remote workers tend to be more productive because they can more easily focus on the essentials. That is, if they have the right workspace in their house or apartment.
Before jumping straight into setting up your desk and computer, take a minute to step back and plan what your home office should look like. Think carefully about what you need to be productive when working from home. What are the essentials things you need to have close to you, such as a water bottle or your cup of coffee, and what can be stored away.
To decide where to set up your home office, it’s helpful to ask yourself a few questions:
What will you need for a home office? Do you work mostly work on your computer or do you need extra space to work with printed documents?
Do you work primarily online? Is a strong and reliable internet connection essential for your work?
Do you expect to do regular video conferences with your coworkers? What do you want to show in your background when doing a video call?
Do you have kids at home? Do you need a quiet and isolated place to work without distraction or interruption?
Once you’ve selected the best location in your home or apartment to set up your workspace, start to list everything that you need to turn that area into a productive home office. Create a checklist of your home office essentials, and remove everything that won’t help you become more productive when working remotely.
How to set up your home office?
Once you’ve decided where you want your home office, it’s time to plan the actual setup. Start with the big items, such as your work desk, chair, computer. Then progressively optimize your space with all the little extras that will make your life easier but also more delightful.
Below is a list of items to help get your work done, that includes the little extras that will help improve your productivity or simply enhance your day.
1. Computer: a laptop is ideal for your home office
2. Desk: a clean and elegant desk to work from home
3. Office chair: comfort and ergonomic are key
4. WiFi: speed up your home Internet connection
5. Noise-cancelling headphones with microphone: for video conference calls
6. Speakers: for your music playlist
7. Water bottle: stay hydrated in style
8. Coffee mug: energize your body and soul
9. Scented candle: set the right mood for mindful work
10. Notepad: you always need to write something down
11. Printer and scanner: sometimes you’ll still need hard copies
12. File cabinet: if you need to store paper and documents at home
13. Wireless phone charger: keep your phone powered up through the day
14. Desk lamp: keep your office bright
Setting up the best home office possible won’t do you any good if you can’t organize your day for remote working. One of the challenges people working from home most often face is to stay motivated and focus on the things that matter most.
Here are 10 tips to help you get started:
Keep a routine: it’s even more important to have a simple and efficient work routine when working from home than when going to an office.
Start early: most people are more efficient in the morning. Take advantage of not having to commute to work to get your most important work done before lunch break.
Dress for success: dressing up is as important when working from home as when going to an office. It’s also essential to look the part if you have regular video calls with your colleagues
Set clear rules with other people in your house: if you’re sharing an apartment or if you’re living at home with your spouse and children, it’s absolutely essential to set up ground rules so they respect your workspace and don’t interrupt you in critical moments.
Take invigorating breaks: it’s easy to be so totally absorbed in your work when working from home that you forget to check the time. Keep track of your progress and take regular breaks to refresh and come back stronger.
Leave home and exercise: at least once a day, step out, get some fresh air and exercise. Your mind and your body need a daily dose of sunlight to stay healthy.
Ask for what you need: if you work for a company, don’t be afraid to ask your employer for the things you need to be productive when working from home.
Relax and unwind after work: don’t mix work with your personal life. When work is done at the end of the day, disconnect and relax. It’s an important part of staying productive and creative throughout the day.
Sleep well: Sleep is one of the most important parts of your day. A healthy sleep routine will keep you sharp and motivated throughout the day.
Many companies are giving employees the option to continue to work from home once the world opens back up post Covid 19. Use this time to get a feel for working from home and determine if it something you would like to make a permanent part of your employment.
