When you’re at home, a designated working space can make a world of difference for you. You can’t just jump on any old chair lying around and start working. Otherwise, you’ll just spend your days being unproductive.
Being unproductive is what naturally we do at home, but times are different. The pandemic has nixed going to the office for many people. Many more will have to adjust as their company embraces a WFH culture permanently.
It’s hard to avoid distractions while working remotely, but it can be done. Even without a separate room for it, creating a safe space for working at home will keep you focused and productive.
The Ideal Remote Workspace
Your home office should ideally be a distinct space from the main house. It should be properly outfitted so you can get right down to business. You’d want to replicate as much of your office’s structure and vibe as possible.
If you can’t get a permanent work area at home, you can still set up a flexible workspace anywhere you’re comfortable. It can be in your garage, she-shed, basement, houseboat, dining area, or even a backyard tent.
Requirements for Effective Remote Work
You may or may not have a permanent space to call your office at home. Either way, these tips will make remote working a comfortable and productive experience. Tick all the boxes so that you can maintain or even surpass your pace of work at the office.
A Space to Call Your Own
This can be a whole room or a dedicated workstation. The idea is to get somewhere you can work without being interrupted by a needy kid or partner. If there’s no room to spare, you can get creative with the space around your house. Ideally, you want somewhere with a door to separate your living space and workspace.
Do you have an unused basement? Call in the cavalry to clean it up and make it ready for your work setup. How about that enclosed veranda or garden shed? Imagine how the aroma of flowers will calm your mind once you start typing furiously on your computer.
Anywhere comfortable that separates you from the household during work hours will do.
A Neat and Effective Space
Finding an empty or isolated place at home doesn’t mean you’ve found the perfect workspace. A few things need to be in place to make it an optimized working environment.
- How are the acoustics of the place? If it adjoins a popular pathway for people in the house, you may find it difficult to focus. Perhaps, the window opens to a view — and noise — of zooming traffic. Does a noise-canceling headphone block out everything coming from within and without?
- Is it free of clutter? Clutter will make your mind wander from getting work done to cleaning up stuff. It’s important to choose a space that is clean or can be tidied up.
- How’s the lighting? This one depends a bit on your preferences. If you often work at night, a comfortable light source may prevent you from falling asleep. Does it get adequate natural lighting during the day?
- What about the power outlets? You can’t get anything done if you can’t plug your devices. Scan the room for power outlets, noting their location relative to your setup.
A Comfortable Desk and Chair for Work
Using the wrong equipment can cause injuries. Bupa news research reveals that around 63% of Brits have injured their neck, back, hips, wrists, and knees while working from home. So, find a desk-chair combo with the right ergonomics for your work. Either the desk or the chair (or both) should be height adjustable. You can then achieve the correct sitting posture and avoid strains on your back, neck, and arms.
If your work setup consists of two desks or more, invest in a swivel chair. You can swiftly adjust your angle to view a different screen or pen a quick note.
Consistent Working Hours
If you’re consistent in the hours you devote to work, the rest of the family will eventually get used to your routine. Working from home with a toddler can be quite a challenge. However, they will eventually understand when mommy should be working and let you be during the interval. A general timetable will help you avoid conflicts with your loved ones.
Keeping a schedule won’t be easy if you juggle several things every day at home. So, put a clock in your line of sight, set reminders, and monitor your activity so you can take a break.
Quality Tools
If you’re lucky, the company may provide your WFH equipment and send a team to set everything up. If this isn’t the case, you may quickly find yourself missing your office setup. If you want to avoid headaches due to inferior tools, you have to invest in the right equipment.
Here are some things you need:
- A reliable, high-speed internet connection
- High-quality webcam and mic + speakers for virtual meetings, reports, and collaborations
- Ergonomic keyboard and mouse
- A charging dock
You can add a hybrid printer/scanner to the standard setup, depending on your line of work. The goal is to gather a set of tools that allow you to produce efficient and quality work.
Good Positioning
Imagine taking your eyes off your work and staring at a blank wall—no fun in that at all. Arranging your setup the right way will save you from that mess.
Position your workspace so that a window with a good view is directly to your left or right. You can take a small break from the screen and feast on the city’s sights or just stare off into space. Other fun things to do while working from home can help you avoid feeling isolated when you’re sitting alone.
Conclusion
Adjusting to remote work can be tough if you’re used to the office structure. Using the tips in this article will help you carve out a great remote workspace. Then, you can work without distractions.
