Working from Home? Here’s How to Set Up Your Home Office Like a Boss!
The Covid-19 pandemic reinvented the working structure, creating the need to work from home. For the most part, this has turned out to be a practical solution and a preferred one. Several organizations are looking into keeping this arrangement permanently as it cuts costs on office space rentals. It also saves employees travel time, increasing productivity hours. However, one of the significant challenges with working from home is the number of distractions that are specific to a home environment. You may start responding to emails, then a pile of laundry catches your eye, and up you go! Or perhaps you have little kids, and they are running up and down begging for your attention. With all these factors in mind, let’s look at how to create your home office setup and enjoy great deals in your purchases, like a boss!
Working from home requires much thought into the workspace you create and suitability for your type of business. Certain considerations when selecting your home office setup include:
• Natural Lighting
A well-aerated lit room enables you to be productive without straining your eyes or light distractions. Exposure to natural light also has health benefits; it will improve your vision.
• Room Color
Room color has been known to affect one’s mood. Choose a subtle color that will brighten you up. Light shades of blue and green have been known to affect mood positively.
• Personalization
You can personalize your home office by putting up photos of your loved ones or that portrait that you love on the wall. Avoid filling up desk space with personalization items. You want to avoid clutter and filling up your workspace in a distractive manner.
• Space
Choose a space in the house that is away from the noise created by daily activities like the kids playing PlayStation, the laundry room, or the kitchen. Ensure it has a lockable door. You’d be surprised how easily you would get distracted with the smell of cookies baking or a sumptuous meal frying. If your business requires frequent office guests, choose a room with an external door to the outside, or that’s as close to the main entrance as possible to avoid people walking around your house unnecessarily.
• High-Speed Internet
A slow internet connection can be frustrating. It will waste your time as you wait for files to transfer and items to load, hindering your overall performance. Invest in high-speed internet and work at ease.
• Printer and Scanner
Printing and scanning are a vital part of documents and you don’t want to keep running to the cyber to get your printing needs sorted. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Invest in a residential printer and scanner that’ll be sufficient for your needs.
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
There will be power outages from time to time. A UPS will prevent your gadgets from switching off immediately there is a power outage. It’ll prevent you from losing unsaved data and reports, allowing you to safely shut down your machines.
• Desk
Invest in a comfortable desk, paying attention to the height. A desk that makes you slouch will affect your productivity in the long run. Keep your desk clear of unnecessary items and organize it. Have a tray for documents and a cup for pencils and pens. Maintaining an organized workspace saves you time looking for items every other moment.
• Telephone or VOIP
While you may already have your mobile phone, having a dedicated line for your business makes it easier for clients to reach you even when your mobile phone may be engaged or out of charge. If you make international calls, consider getting a VOIP phone adapter to help contain your telecommunication costs. It also provides a reliable communication channel for your business.
• Storage
Being organized requires files and documents to be stored away in an alphabetic or numbered system for easy accessibility. Consider the use of a cabinet, drawer storage, or hanging folders, depending on the amount of space you have and your storage requirements. Fully maximize on wall space to have your office uncluttered.
• A Safe
Imagine losing your important documents, or having them destroyed accidentally by the kids. Having a safety deposit box ensures all crucial documents are safely kept away.
• Network Router
A network router is only necessary if you’ll need to connect more than one computer as it boosts signal strength. Suppose you have several people connected on various devices, either streaming movies or playing online games. In that case, a new router may be required to enhance your Wi-Fi coverage.
• Paper Shredder
Piling up sensitive documents until you can safely destroy them may increase clutter in your workspace. Adding a paper shredder to your supplies for home office requirements makes it is easier to rid yourself of a paper pile up, effectively destroying unwanted documents.
• Plants
House plants not only clean the air, they tend to increase productivity. Watering plants can get you psychologically engaged and promote happiness.
• Ergonomic Chair
An ergonomic chair is designed to minimize discomfort, especially if you sit for long hours. Invest in an ergonomic chair to avoid stressing your back and evoke proper posture. It’ll keep you comfortable, allowing you to focus on work and maximize efficiency.
• Manage Your Time
Working from home without a schedule may leave you unproductive and frustrated. Create a schedule and communicate these office hours to your family and request them to respect it. Take appropriate breaks as you would in the traditional office setup to avoid burnout.
A considerable number of these items, if not all of them, can be purchased through the convenience of online shopping and home delivery. The beauty of online shopping is that you can check out great deals on supplies for home office equipment in several stores in the shortest time possible. You also get to use online coupons; everyone loves a good discount! If you’re looking to buy furniture and other supplies for your home office, get voucher codes and minimize your costs. Keep track of your supplies and replenish stocks when running low.