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Home Office
Ann Hana
CEO EnefKL
7 TIPS FOR CREATING A PRACTICAL & CONDUCIVE HOME OFFICE
We have to admit that COVID-19 pandemic has directly and indirectly affect our daily lives. Businesses start to request and allow their employees to work from home. Schools are also forced to start implementing online learning when the lockdown was extended to more than a month. Economic and education activities need to go on and adapt despite the challenges.
After more than 6 months of working from home exercise and school online classes, we are getting used to the idea of virtual meetings/classrooms. Some big corporate organisations are also terminating their lease on office buildings and change their business operation model to ‘Working From Home’. At homes, what used to be the dining area or guest room has now become our ‘working’ area. The dining table is now our make shift working table because it is a good and comfortable size to place the laptop, stationeries and also coffee mugs.
This is the right time to actually figure out a plan to add and turn a space in your home to become a permanent home office. There are few essentials that you will want to consider before adding a permanent home office. It is important that your home office be a comfortable and inviting place to spend time and to get your work done efficiently.
Here are 7 tips for creating a practical and conducive home office:
- Choose the right space
- Allow enough space
- Ergonomics: Desk, chair, and storage
- Manage your cables and technologies
- Manage your cables and technologies
- Set boundaries with the people you share the space with
- Accessorize and Personalize
1. Choose the right space.
Home offices come in many different shapes and sizes. It can be in a separate room, a quiet corner or even in your kitchen. You don’t want to set up your office in the lounge/living area if that’s where the people in your home congregate. Sometimes that means compromising with other spaces. The key to selecting the right place for your home office, is to think about where and when you do your work. If you are a professional, you’ll want to select a space that’s away from the daily flow and distractions of your household.
2. Allow enough space
Use your space creatively. Make sure you allow enough space to work comfortably. Tidy spaces help keep your thought process clean and driven. Ask yourself if you will be able to move easily from side to side, stand up and sit back from your desk. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s easy to underestimate how much space you need. Keep your current work within arm’s reach. Remember to regularly clean your space and store your office items instead of cluttering up your desk.
3. Ergonomics: Desk, chair, and storage.
Choosing the right desk and chair for your home office is essential. It’s important your home office computer setup is ergonomic. Select a desk that is wide enough for your computer and anything else necessary to do your work. Choose a desk that is not too high, invest in a good quality chair that is comfortable and adjustable if possible. You’ll want a chair with back support that’s set up right. The chair’s height should keep your eye level with your screen when your back is straight. Doing this encourages the flow of oxygen and blood which helps you think and helps with preventing back and shoulder problems.
"Make sure you have a stress-free zone, at work (yes even your home office). ... Look for a break room.. No need for a fancy setting. All you need is some soft lighting and something comfortable to sit on. Put together a nice relaxing playlist and listen to it."
4. Manage your cables and technologies
Nothing slows down productivity land makes a home office look or feel more cluttered than wires hanging from your desk and messy.
Take control of your technology with these simple tips:
- Add a wireless router
- Invest in both a wireless printer and a wireless mouse
- Add a grommet in your desktop to lead any wires from your desk down below
- Attach any visible wires to the underside of your desk or down along a desk leg.
- Tuck your cables and wires away behind your desk and around the walls.
- Gather loose wires along the floor together with a simple cord tamer such as zip ties and even bread clips to help manage them and keep them from tangling up.
5. Natural Light and View
Good lighting is critical for any home office space. Choose a location with access to sunlight and a view if possible. Sunlight improves your body’s vitamin D levels which directly relate to happiness levels. Sunlight also maintains your body’s circadian rhythm keeping you feeling awake. Position your desk to face the windows or in a location where your computer screen will not be affected. Translucent window shades or blinds can help reduce any glare without darkening your room. You can enhance natural light by including a mirror and by keeping most of your walls a light color.
If you don’t have a window space, you should light well with lamps. An overhead ceiling light will provide good general lighting. A pair of open-top floor lamps placed in the corners of your room will do the same. Choose a white fluorescent light over yellow.
No view? Position your desk to face the door instead or place a pleasing piece of artwork or an inspirational pin board above your desk. Also, consider potted plants to oxygenate your space and keep you calm. Either, will give your eyes a rest and something to focus on when you look up from your work.
6. Set boundaries with the people you share the space with
This may not be entirely home design related, but if your office is located in an area where your partner/family/housemates regularly access, it’s a good idea to explain your need to disengage while you’re working. This means working in areas of your home with less foot traffic and telling people to treat you as if you’re in a professional environment (which you are).
Knowing how to make a home office in a small space is a skill that’s hard to acquire, especially if you’re sharing your home with others. You need to balance the needs of your home and the needs of your work while making room for a space that’s purely professional. You can also put a tape on the floor to create the boundaries of your working and personal/family area.
7. Accessorize and Personalize
Don’t sacrifice on style! The great part about working from home is that YOU can decide how you want your home office to look and feel. Match your home office with the design and style of your home. Think about what inspires you. It could be a favorite piece of artwork, a collection of objects, your favourite indoor plant or an invigorating paint color. Include these personal touches when you plan your home office design.