How can you create a work-from-home office in your home? 

Lockdown may be behind us, but the pandemic’s seismic shift towards working from home is not. With over 20 million people in the UK recorded to be working from home in 2021, it’s clear that the practice is here to stay. 

Anything that you do every day is something that deserves proper consideration. So, to get the most out of working remotely, you should think about your setup. Are you creating an environment that lets you be productive, comfortable, and healthy? Here are some pointers on how to set up a home office that will work best for you. 

Choosing your space  

The ideal home office setup is a separate space in your house that is properly outfitted for work. This is a good solution if you’re lucky enough to have a spare room. But there are other options.  

You could convert a guest bedroom into a dual-purpose space that’s an office most of the time and a spare bedroom when people visit. The most important consideration is that you pick somewhere that’s unlikely to be disturbed. Privacy and quiet are important for minimising distractions. Some people even use shipping container office space. 

Get the right equipment  

If you plan on working from home over the long term, you need to have the right equipment. Most of us working remotely do so on a laptop or PC over the internet. You’ll want a strong internet connection that also protects sensitive business data. Using a VPN on your router can bolster privacy and protection for all your home devices. 

Using multiple monitors is another way to increase your efficiency in a home office. The ability to use multiple applications simultaneously means faster workflow. 

Ergonomics  

If you’re working in the same space every day, it needs to be comfortable. Office buildings are designed ergonomically to keep employees healthy and pain-free. This has been emphasised by a rise in injuries for those working at home, with aches in the lower back being most common. Take steps to avoid falling into the same trap!  

Consider incorporating furniture that supports your body into your home office. This could include a standing desk or adjustable chair. Also, making sure that your computer monitors are set at the right height can prevent eye strain and hunching your back. 

Lighting 

You can’t understate the impact of good lighting when working from home. You’ll need a well-lit space so that you can easily read from your screen and see physical objects. Natural light is best during the day but, in the evenings or those darker winter months, you’ll need indirect light to illuminate your workspace.