Remote work has morphed from being unusual to common in many industries today. Even if your job hasn’t become 100% remote, many employers are giving employees the option to work from home a percentage of the time. Working from home has all kinds of benefits from cost savings, to increased productivity and it can even benefit your mental health. So, let’s take a look at how you can set up your first home office space.
Desktop Computer vs a Laptop – Which is Right for You?
There are a lot of factors that go into creating a productive and efficient home office space, but without a desktop or laptop, you won’t be getting much work done. So, the first step in the process should be to pick either a traditional desktop or laptop.
Technology has come a long way so today’s laptops are often just as powerful as desktops, being able to handle your software needs with ease. And if you’re worried about storage space and backing up, an external hard drive will solve the issue for any desktop or laptop. There are also plenty of budget laptops to choose from, which is much easier on the wallet.
It comes down to what you will be doing on the computer/laptop, the software and applications you’ll need to use, and whether you need to be mobile and take your device on the go.
Think In Terms of Comfort and Ergonomics
Now comes the furniture you’ll be using in your home office space. While it may be tempting to set up your computer at the kitchen table and call it a day, this won’t be comfortable and in the long run, you won’t be as productive as you hoped. You’ll want to pick a desk and chair that are ergonomic, meaning they provide support for your body and encourage proper posture. This will allow you to work for longer periods without pain and discomfort.
Remove All Distractions from the Space
Even if you never have to worry about client calls, Zoom meetings, and other in-person meetings in your home, removing distractions from your workspace should still be a priority. Distractions are just that, they prevent you from getting your job done and they can mess up your focus causing you to make mistakes.
Ideally, your home office should be a self-contained space. If you don’t have a room you can use, then at least choose a spot in the house with little noise, foot traffic and distraction.
Staying Organised Means You’ll be Productive
Finally, give thought to how you’ll stay organized. You need to have all your necessary supplies, files, tools and equipment on-hand and it needs to be organised and stored in a way that allows you to be productive. You may need to invest in a filing cabinet, a shelving system, storage bins and so forth. Additionally, consider exploring top-rated loft conversions, which can provide you with extra space and storage solutions.
Taking these simple steps will help you to put together a home office space that encourages productivity. You’ll soon discover just how amazing working remotely can be.
