Setting up Your Home Office: a Detailed Guide to Perfecting Your Home Workspace
Being at home is simply the best! But is it great for working? Opinions vary greatly as some may think it’s a dream come true to work from home, while for others, it’s an absolute nightmare. And due to the Covid-19 pandemic, working from home has really become ‘the new normal’.
Whilst our homes already have some of the basics for working, such as a chair, desk or table, and screen, staying productive and motivated to work can be very hard. Especially because you cannot now differentiate between your living and workspace, they have now become one.
For everyone struggling to work effectively and stay motivated at home, we have put together a few tips and tricks to perfectly furnish your home office. From small accessories to a large houseplant - we’ve thought of everything related to your home office.
1: The Right Place
Basic Requirements for the Home Office
Whether you have a separate study, a quiet corner in the living room or a space at the dining table- any area you dedicate as your specific home office should have a few key requirements.
Sunlight: A room without a window not only offers zero sunlight but also no fresh air. Artificial lights are not recommended for your home office and should be avoided at all costs! Try setting up your desk next to a window: this will help you avoid light reflections on your screen whilst providing light into the room. You should also never place your screen in front of the window as the differences in light can create unnecessary strain on your eyes.
If you find the sun’s bright rays to be too strong, especially around lunchtime, a great remedy is to incorporate a transparent curtain. This will still allow light into your workspace whilst muting the harsh rays.
Internet Connection: This may seem obvious but make sure your allocated workspace has a fast internet connection. This frankly is the most basic thing to work successfully from home. Whilst you used to be able to walk to someone’s desk for help or talk with them during a coffee break, all communication has now been completely digitised. The classic telephone is a thing of the past and communication is increasingly more online: think email, Zoom, Skype, Teams. And what do they all rely on...the internet! There is nothing worse than a work email not sending, or losing your connection in the middle of a video call. Make sure your workplace has a good internet connection and if needed, buy a wifi extender to have connectivity in all corners of your home.
Quiet: Whilst some people prefer to work in a lively coffee shop, many people can only find themselves productive when working in quiet environments. If you are this person, you should find a room in your home that’s not the hub of activity so you won’t be disturbed by flatmates, partners or children. If this isn’t possible, consider getting yourself some noise-cancelling headphones to block out sounds in your home. If, however, you love the hustle and bustle of activity usually heard in a coffee shop, areas such as the living room or kitchen are perfect. Try playing some music or listening to a podcast if you like to hear noise whilst working.
2: Keeping your home office tidy
Organisation is Key
Folders and paper seem to keep piling up on your desk, coffee mugs are multiplying and you can’t even see your actual desk: keeping your workspace organised and clean is easier said than done! However, there is hope! These next few tips are for those that need that extra bit of help keeping their space clean!
“Less is More”: Sounds cliche I know, but it’s true! A key tip to maintaining a clean workplace is to declutter and get rid of items taking up too much space! You don’t need those seven erasers, ten pens and four notepads on your desk. Only keep what is truly necessary for your day-to-day work. For more inspiration, check out our ultimate guide to decluttering.
Trash can: A bin is a necessity for any workspace and is especially important if you still write your notes and to-do lists on paper. Try having a paper recycle bin for your waste paper so you can help the environment while you work.
A small side table: Only keep the most important things on your desk. Place any snacks, drinks, and unnecessary items on a side table. If you don’t have a table, don’t worry, you could use a tray on the floor or even a chair! Not only does this declutter your space, but it also saves you from taking too many trips to the kitchen for drinks and snacks. Sweet!
Storage space: Your folders, books and all other documents should be organised into storage containers and stowed within reach of your workspace: do not keep these in piles on your desk! For any documents that you need regularly, try a filing system on your desk to keep your papers organised and easy-to-reach.
Decorations: It’s important to decorate your workspace, but also make sure you apply the “less is more” mantra. Whilst it’s fun to have a colourful keyboard, mousepad or lots of photos in your space, make sure the decoration doesn’t break your concentration and distract you from your work.
3: Video Conferencing
How to correctly prepare for video calls
Clothing: As we have all been spending more time at home, sweatpants, tracksuit tops, pyjamas and leggings are frankly the go-to pieces of clothing for comfort. However, whilst comfortable, they aren’t the greatest items to be wearing on a video call. Try to wear something smart whilst on camera. Getting out of our comfortable home clothes can also help you get in the work mindset and keep you motivated. Another tip: try keeping a small mirror near your desk or workspace to look into just before a video conference for any last-minute fix-ups.
Roommates/Family members: If you have an important video call, make sure you find a quiet spot where you will not be disturbed. Try letting your flatmates or family members know beforehand of important calls so they won’t walk by in the background or try talking to you during a work call.
Background: Of course it’s very easy to conjure up a tidy office space as your background through the use of a filter, or even transport yourself to any virtual world, however showing your “real-life” background does look that bit more authentic! So why not spice up the wall space behind you with an interesting poster! From multicoloured to beige, and abstract to minimalist, we are sure to have something for you! If you’re unsure what poster suits your personality, check out our blog post.
4: our last (and most important) tips!
Last not definitely not least
Plants: Whether you have one large plant as a focal point in the room, or have many small plants all around the house, these little green friends not only look great, but they also create a calming environment and filter the air in your home. Also, try adding some fresh flowers into your workspace to brighten it up and add a smile to your face. If you want to know a little more about styling botanicals in your home, check out our guide here.
Breaks and Structure: Whilst you are working from home, you do not need to be available for work calls 24/7. It’s so important when working from home to give yourself established breaks, end times and structure! Make sure you make time for that coffee or tea break. And, tell your colleagues exactly what hours you are available and, therefore, when you are not. You could even grant close colleagues in your team access to your calendar, so they can see exactly when you are available. Try adding in your breaks, doctor’s appointments, meetings and any other prior engagements. This makes it easier for both you and your co-workers to align on times and schedules.
Stopwatch: Do you wonder exactly how long you worked for today? Did you reach your target hours? The temptation for distraction in your home office is a lot greater than the physical office: your personal phone is always next to you, the kitchen is a few steps away and flatmates or family members are always up for a chat. Utilising a stopwatch will help you keep track of your productivity. Not only is it a great way to record your hours, but will also have a positive impact on your motivation.
Looking for that one piece to freshen up your home workspace? Look no further than a decorative wall poster. We have a wide collection of art posters to hang on your wall and become an eye-catching piece in the background of your video calls that will have your colleagues asking “where did you get that print”? Even without video calling, a poster in your workspace will help you stay motivated and be something beautiful to look at. We’ve curated a small selection of posters for your office below. Take a look at our website for more!
