With the Internet of Things and the hard lessons we learned during the pandemic, remote work is on the increase. When I was starting to work from home, my computer was in the living room, and I got lots of distractions from the TV.
Reaching the keyboard from my sofa was also problematic. Step by step, I started building my home office, and today I teach you how to build a home office setup for remote work.
How to Build a Home Office Setup for Remote Work
Working from home is amazing. No office rents and daily transport expenses. You share the same internet with your smart TV and surveillance cameras. No worries about traffic jams. But, without a good home office, you won’t be productive. Fortunately, you can use the following tips to set up a professional home office.
Identify the Right Location
Separation helps establish a clear boundary between your professional and personal life. In return, you get more focused and productive. If there is no empty room in your house to use for your remote workspace, choose a quiet area away from your living area.
Make sure that the area you choose has quality natural lighting. Natural light exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm. This is the body’s internal clock that governs sleep-wake cycles. You’ll get better sleep, leaving you feeling more rested and energized as you start the next day.
If your room has less natural lighting, invest in lighting fixtures that provide sufficient illumination. Avoid placing lamps directly near your monitor to prevent eye strain or glare.
Invest in Comfortable Furniture
Although aesthetics are good, comfort in a workspace is the priority. Hunched postures due to uncomfortable furniture lead to fatigue and decreased energy levels. It hinders your ability to work for extended periods. Also, sitting for long periods in an unsupportive chair restricts blood flow, causing fatigue, numbness, and tingling.
The good thing is you can avoid all these issues by investing in a height-adjustable desk. First, it allows you to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day. The alternations help alleviate pressure on your spine and core, reducing back pain and muscle fatigue.
Another thing to note is that the human spine has a natural inward curve in the lumbar region. With this in mind, it’s important to invest in a chair with adjustable arm position, seat height, seat tilt, and arm position. These features help prevent costly medical bills associated with back pain and injuries caused by poor posture.
Set Your Equipment
After a tough day at your home desk, the last thing you want is a painful neck or wrist as a result of poor equipment setup. When placing your monitor the viewing distance and angle determine eye fatigue and sitting comfort. Make sure the monitor is an arm’s length away from you. The eyes should rest at a straightforward and slightly downward angle.
If you spend most of your time typing, invest in an ergonomic keyboard with a split design. Imagine two keyboard halves, gently angled outwards like open wings. This split keeps your shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands in a natural and comfortable alignment.
Similarly, don’t forget to buy an ergonomic mouse. An ergonomic mouse is designed to promote a more natural hand and wrist position. Your hand rests in a vertical handshake position, reducing the chances of wrist-twisting.
Looking for the perfect keyboard for your home office setup for remote work? Click here to read pros and cons of Perixx Periboard-612 keyboard.
Personalize Your Space
Working from home with family members moving up and down is a recipe for disaster. For instance, working while your energetic toddler is constantly buzzing around the desk easily shatters your concentration. Make sure that your office is away from heavily trafficked areas.
Incorporate elements that infuse your personality such as plants and artwork. In fact, studies show that plants in an office increase productivity by 15%. Green plants have a calming effect that lowers anxiety and improves mood. Normally, when working, you at times get stuck on a problem wondering how to solve it.
Incorporating artwork or motivational notes in your office helps you stay motivated during these times. They help stimulate creativity and positivity while working.
Establish a Reliable Internet
Remote jobs rely heavily on video conferencing for meetings and collaboration. The inability to attend Zoom meetings, and download or upload files due to poor internet connection hinders productivity.
So, high-speed internet in a remote workspace is an absolute necessity. Get a router connection with a bandwidth of around 10 MB/S.
Manage Noise
Noise is a major distraction in any workplace setting, not only the home office. Background noise from the television, music, or a crying baby are the common distractions in a home office. Invest in acoustic materials to block or reflect sound waves to prevent noise from passing through.
Alternatively, use noise-canceling headphones. The headphones analyze noise waves and then generate sound waves that are the opposite of the incoming noise. This helps create a calmer work environment.
Prioritize Privacy
Even in a home office, unauthorized access may be a way to install malware or viruses on your computer. Limit who accesses your home office. Set strong passwords for all your work devices and accounts.
Also, if you share the computer with a family member when not working, password-protect your professional documents. Create a safe place to store your official documents such as invoices or receipts.
Use a strong password that is not easily guessable to protect your internet connection from unauthorized access. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for work purposes, and if you must, use a Virtual Private Network for added security.
Create a Routine
Have you ever been in a situation where the day ends without an idea of how you spent your time? Well, this happens when working from home and you have to do dishes and laundry. Set a clear work routine and boundaries, and remain disciplined.
Begin by planning your working hours depending on your job requirements. Remember to incorporate short breaks in your routine. During the breaks, move around, stretch, and get some fresh air to make you awake and alert. It’s a great way to improve circulation and reduce muscle tension.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the type of remote work you do, you need a home office. It separates you from the distractions of the normal home life. Just identify a location in your home, and set up office furniture and equipment. Keep the area personalized so family members don’t bring their distractions there.
