Moving Your Office to Your House: Tips for Setting Up An Office Space
If you’ve been following the news of the pandemic, you probably have already heard about the new precautions starting to be taken to keep us safe.
With shutdowns beginning to happen in states all over the US, one of the most common requests is taking operations remote for any company that can.
Some people are jumping for joy at the idea of working from home, while others are dreading the change. If your company is switching to a remote format, it’s important to make your office a place where you can get work done.
So, how should you go about setting up your home office? Keep reading to learn more!
Setting Up Your Office
Everyone has factors impacting their best work-from-home style.
Some people have children at home while others live by themselves. Some have a house with extra bedrooms, while some are limited to a studio apartment.
No matter what your situation looks like, there are ways to make an office that works for you!
Here’s how…
Find A Low-Traffic Area
In an ideal world, everyone would have a spare bedroom at their house to use as a home office.
If you are lucky enough to have an extra room, do your best to make the space solely for work. By this, we mean don’t hang out in there and watch TV when you’re off of work. Try to avoid keeping exercise equipment, clothes, or any other items that will cause you to go into the room after work hours.
This separation of home and work is important for creating a work-life balance. Being able to exit your home office is the closest you can get to clocking out of your real office for the day!
Not only is this separation important for your mental wellbeing, but you’ll see your productivity go up as well!
Being Flexible
If you don’t have an extra room for an office, you’ll have to be a little more flexible with where you work.
While you may not be able to go into a room and shut the door, you can still find little nooks of the house that are quieter than others.
If you have a dining room, that would be a great place to make a workspace out of! Besides mealtimes, people don’t spend much time in the dining room. Even if you have a little one playing in the living room or a spouse making a meal in the kitchen, you’re tucked away enough to have a bit of privacy and solace.
A bedroom also works if you don’t have a dining room!
Set Up In Front of a Window
Sitting in front of a window while you work is a great way to increase productivity.
Even if you don’t have the most incredible view, the natural lighting will boost your mood and make you feel more motivated for your workday! Whether your workspace is in the dining room, a bedroom, a den, or a basement, position yourself as close as you can to a window and notice how much better you feel.
If for some reason sitting in front of a window isn’t a possibility, make sure you take breaks to be near the sunshine.
Set Boundaries With Other Members of the Household
One of the trickiest parts of working from home during a pandemic is the distractions from family, pets, or roommates.
Even if flexible jobs allow you to work from home periodically, you’re going to notice that the atmosphere is different since everyone’s home.
Noise will be more of an issue, easy access may leave family members knocking on your door every few minutes, and pets may think your new status means a permanent playtime!
Because of this, it’s important to set as many boundaries as possible with the other members of your household. For example, if a roommate or spouse lives with you, tell them the hours you need to work and ask that they respect a shut door or headphones in the ears.
With kids, boundaries may be a little more difficult to establish. If the children are older, try making arrangements for their school to line up with your work schedule as much as possible. Set designated breaks for you and them to get outside, take a drive, or even just have a dance break!
How Will You Make a Productive Office Space?
While these conditions are less than ideal, staying home and staying safe by working remotely is one of the sacrifices many professionals are having to make right now.
To give yourself the best chance for success, create a plan for your office that will help you focus and feel good about your work!
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