Because of the advancement in technology over the years it has become possible for many workers to do their jobs from home. Whether you plan to work from home full time or just part time, you need to set up your office properly. Without the right setup, you might find it hard to get your work done. I know from experience that it can be a major adjustment to work from home, but a proper home office can make a huge difference in your productivity.
Five Tips for Setting Up your Home Office
Location
If your home office will become your primary place of work, you don’t want to set this up in a spare bedroom you plan to use for company or near distractions. You need a door that closes or at least a way to separate your office from the rest of the house. Choosing the right location for your office makes a huge difference and you want to consider the possibilities before making your final decision.
A dedicated room used only as your office is best, but if this isn’t possible, setting your office up in a low traffic area of the home can make it easier to concentrate. You can even get a partition, if necessary, to block out distractions and separate your work area from your home.
Furniture
Choosing the right furniture will also make a difference. Executive leather chairs for the office can make it very comfortable, while reminding you that you’re there to work. The right desk will also help and make sure it’s large enough to accommodate your computer and everything else you need. Depending on the work you do, a bookshelf might be necessary. This allows you to store reference material close by.
Phone Line
With cell phones taking over, you might not need a second phone line, but a landline can help in some cases. If you use your cell phone for personal calls, you may want a dedicated landline or a second cell phone for your office. This helps separate personal from business. You can actually turn off your personal phone and let your family know to call your business line only in the event of an emergency.
Lighting
One of the major issues many go through when adjusting to working from home is a lack of energy. Corporate offices use specific types of light to help keep workers energized. If you work at your computer most of the day, you will need to set your office up with proper lighting to take some of the strain off your eyes. Natural light is always best and choosing an area with a window will help, but when it’s not possible, you can use lamps with different types of light bulbs to create the best environment for you.
Organization
Whether you allow your home to become cluttered due to children or you keep it very organized, you need to make sure your office is immaculate shape. An organized office will allow your mind to focus. Use shelving and other storage solutions to help create the right environment without the clutter.
Working from home is a great way to save money on gas, stay home with the kids and make a living. If you work for yourself or you work for a company that has agreed to allow you to work from home, you need to make sure you set up your home office correctly. Consider all the possibilities before making decisions and make sure it fits with your taste without causing distractions.
Lighting is the one thing I always have a problem with, it’s tough to find the right spot at home to take advantage of natural daylight. And at night … well my entire place lacks light not just the work area lol.
My blog office is in my living room and I often find myself distracted. Unfortunately I don’t have many other options right now so I’ll make it work.
With VOIP phones you didn’t even need phone lines anymore. I work from home and have a VOIP phone…it’s awesome! The main switch is at our primary location (real office), but as long as that’s connected I can plug my phone into any internet outlet and get dial tone. It’s pretty cool.
I also agree with location of the room. I use a spare bedroom but I wish it had more windows in it. It’s difficult to be locked up on a cage all day…but I make it work for now.
Lighting is so important. Dark rooms make me want to relax. I’ve found that windows with lots of natural light work the best as you said. And a comfortable work chair is important too.