In the third year of working from home, the temporary office no longer reduces it. Here's how to upgrade your WFH space to make it more productive and sustainable.
Even now, more than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are still working from home.
What we thought was a tentative setting for 2020 has turned into a way for many to work towards a foreseeable future. According to experts, even if the pandemic is unforgettable, many of us are working in a hybrid configuration that splits time between the home office and the corporate office. Some of us will never return. According to one survey, a quarter of companies plan to move at least 20% of their on-site employees to full-time, at-home jobs.
In your third year of working from home, it's time to upgrade your home workspace to make it more functional, professional, and comfortable. If you've spent months on Kitchen Island, sitting on a barstool and sitting at a laptop and a pile of paper, it might be time for a change. Here's how to operate your workspace:
1. Select a specific area
Not everyone has another room in their house, they can turn it into an office. If you're at camp, choose a space in your home and declare it a work area. Maybe it's the nightstand in your kitchen, the corner of your bedroom, or the spot in the living room. No matter where you choose, you stick with it. I work there every day (no commuting!)
Decide on the space you choose to provide the environment you need for success, paying attention to everything from lighting to accessories.
2. Find the Lighting Layer
Proper lighting is very important in a home workspace. Lighting affects mood, productivity, and appearance during a zoom meeting. Don't settle for one overhead light. A string of lights is needed for a specific purpose. Get a desk lamp that is adjustable for task lighting so you can direct the beam of light exactly where you want it. Add ambient lighting with desktop or floor lamps that spread light through a sun canopy or reflect it on walls and ceilings. The goal: to immerse the entire space in dim light.
Consider investing in a ring light to make your conference call sound good. This is not just arrogance. It is a professional matter. If a lot of our communication takes place in video conferencing rather than the entire conference table, the people we're talking to need to see our faces clearly on the screen. It would be great if you were lucky enough to bring natural light into your workspace at home. Not only does natural light help with zoom lighting (make sure you're seated facing the window), but it also improves mood and accuracy of work, reducing drowsiness, headaches, and eye strain.
3. Pay attention to the background
One of the pandemic's first diversions was RoomRater, a Twitter account that mocked and praised the professional home setup that appeared on the Zoom news channel and Skype's makeshift desks. Crowded shelves and poor lighting received a 5 out of 10. Good art and elegant bookshelf received a score of 9 out of 10. Now everyone knows the exercises. Clean the background of your workspace at home. If you can, show your style. You can decorate your favorite artwork or display a collection of books and interesting things on your bookshelf. If you can't change the background, consider adding a filter instead to create a default filter, or blur the background out of the way.
4. Take office furniture seriously
Previously, office managers worried about the working environment and learned to attach equipment to workers. That's your business. Make sure you have what you need to stay healthy and comfortable at work. Instead of sitting on a sofa sitting at your laptop, choose an office chair that supports your back and a desk at a height that fits your frame. Try a standing desk so you don't sit all day. Consider using a monitor stand to raise the monitor for more comfortable viewing. If you are looking for a DIY solution, use some large hardcover books to elevate your monitor and create your own monitor stand. By investing in comfortable furniture, you can prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle tension, and lower back injuries and stay healthy.
5. Divide the room for privacy
If you don't have a separate room dedicated to your home office, you can easily secure the privacy of your large workspace with room dividers. Ensure your privacy with dividers and foldable blinds that allow you to group your belongings together at the end of the work. For more permanent dividers, use a large freestanding bookshelf to divide the room and store supplies. Sections eliminate distractions, block background noise, and provide a background for Zoom calls. Consider adding a white noise machine or using noise-canceling headphones to keep it out of the background.
6. Make your space your own
What is the best thing about working from home? This is your space. You do not need to get approval from your manager or your facility to reflect your personality in the workplace. Hang art on the walls that interest you. Surrounded by tropical plants. Put your dog's bed near your desk so your best friend can sleep at your feet while you work. Install an aromatherapy diffuser and paint the walls any color you like. Create an inspiration board and fill it with pictures of family, friends, pets, and pictures of your dream vacation spots that will make you happy. This is your space. If the thing makes you happy, calm, and productive, put it in your sights.
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