How to Set-Up A Home Office amidst Pandemic

We’re well into our third year of the pandemic and it looks like we’re going to be in this situation for a while still. As companies around the world extend their WFH schedules, it’s important to think of a home working space on a more permanent or at least a regular basis.

If this is your first time setting up a home office – all of us are done working from our kitchen counters – keep a few things in mind to create an enjoyable office space.

This space needs to be pleasant, productive, and offer a level of privacy. Even if you create your home office in a shared zone – like a dining room – the area should offer you a sense of seclusion. It should also be comfortable – you’ll be spending a fair number of hours there – and the furniture and layout you invest in should welcome and support you.

Here’s how you get started.

1. Consider The Space And The Layout

Will you have a dedicated, separate space to set up the home office or will you be using a corner of a shared room? The amount of space you have, the footfall it gets, and whether the room has a window or not, will have an impact on how you set up your space.

For example, if the room doesn’t have a window, you’ll require varying levels of lighting to ensure the space is well-lit and there aren’t any glares from any of the multiple lamps you have set up.

If the space is small, you can’t have a large rectangular desk. Something with a corner or sections might be more suitable.

The most important factor to consider, however, would be privacy of working remotely. If you cannot have a dedicated office space, use room dividers to ensure you can’t be distracted from all the footfall of a shared area. Positioning your office away from the activity, facing a wall, for example, might also ensure privacy and focus.

2. Invest In A Comfortable Desk And Chair

We sit on our desks for hours on end (we shouldn’t – please take frequent breaks and stretch). Using office chairs that are not ergonomically designed heightens the negative effects of continuous sitting. To counter that, invest in ergonomic office furniture. Specially designed chairs that provide strong lumbar support, maintain the correct posture and are comfortable to sit in.

If you are looking for a budget option, Office Star Store’s ProGrid High Back Managers Chair is a steal at only $180. If you want something luxurious and can splurge $1,249+, we present the Freedom Headrest Chair by Humanscale. Apparently, The New York Times dubbed it ‘the gold standard in office seating’. You can find more options at this link.

For desks, buy something with an appropriate height – nothing too high or too low. The desk space it provides as well as the storage space are also important considerations to make. If you do a lot of paperwork, a bigger work surface may be needed, and larger storage too. For most other jobs where cloud storage is enough, a smaller desk can also suffice.

If you use dual monitors, again, a bigger desk might be more appropriate. Think about the finish and feel, too. While all these may be more personal preferences than practical requirements, one thing that you do need to consider when making the purchase is to ensure that the desk is strong and durable.

Seasoned freelancers who have been working from home for ages, swear by the ease that standing desks provide. You can explore those for a more informed choice.

3. Buying Office Equipment

This includes your work hardware. Computers and printers, for example. While most WFH jobs only require a laptop, most design, and development work requires two separate monitors. All of it combined can cost a lot.

Buying used laptops or used monitors can be a way to save on equipment costs. Before you make final purchases, though, ensure that the used computer equipment that you are buying comes with a warranty and from a trusted source. Also, check their returns policy and ensure that the computer is in good condition.

You can also save costs by only investing in equipment that you most definitely need. No need to pay for a dedicated graphics card if you are not going to do heavy-duty design work. Similarly, ask yourself if you want to pay additional hundreds of dollars for a touchscreen laptop where you know you are not going to use the feature regularly.

4. Get Proper Lighting

If your office space has a window, you will need to create the most harmonious balance of natural and artificial light for the room throughout the day. This means curtains or shades when the sun is bright, and task-oriented lights to illuminate your workspace as the evening falls.

For rooms with no windows, lighting needs to be even more active. Not only will you need proper overhead lighting then, but also indirect light too. This refers to light sources that don’t reflect off your monitor or create distracting glares. You don’t want to strain your eyes.

Your wall colors can also enhance the lighting of your office space. Neutral colors will give the area an expansive feel. Large, and airy, without actually being so. Mirrors achieve the same purpose. Strategic placements of them through careful décor will also enhance the effect of the lighting.

5. Subscribe To A High-Quality Internet Service

Compared to the peak of the pandemic, there is a lesser burden on your home internet. Kids are regularly at school and chances are low that you and your spouse are constantly watching or uploading videos. Yet, you need a reliable internet connection that offers speed and performance.

50Mbs is the minimum speed you should settle for, nothing less. And keep in mind that this minimum requirement can surge as more people join the network for more prolonged work.

The kind of internet connectivity you need also depends on the kind of work you do. For example, if you do some basic office work like writing or management, Wi-Fi is fine. If you do video-heavy work, on the other hand, such as a videographer or a video editor, you need an internet connection that’s faster and more reliable.

We suggest a wired Ethernet connection that you can connect to your computer via a router. For such work, you also need more sturdy equipment that can support such high performance. Here is an amazing guide on optimizing your network for a home office.

6. Some Nice Décor Would Spruce Things Up

We have talked about the practical steps, now let’s discuss style. With a home office, you have a chance to create a fully customized space. Unlike an office cubicle or a desk, there are no policies guiding your décor. You can go as glamorous or as low-key as you want.

Do keep a few things in there, though. Plans, for instance. Some nice, beautiful, clean indoor plants not only are great for aesthetics but really bring a place together. A nice quality rug can also be a great addition. Some mirrors, curtains, shades, and decorative pieces that reflect your personal style also make for a pleasant space.

Home offices also look incomplete without a few pictures here and there. If you don’t want any on the walls, consider some on the shelf. These could be quotes for focus or inspiration, or something more personal – a pet or favorite person.

Personalizing your space makes the home office feel more welcoming.

THE TAKEAWAY

Setting up a home office during a pandemic is a tricky affair. It requires you to consider things within a budget, but also keep room for any immediate changes. As WFH schedules become more permanent, it’s now time to invest in more permanent home office features. Some nice furniture, necessary equipment, and personalized décor can help take care of your home office pretty nicely.

____________

Author Bio: Jay Jangid has 2 years of experience in the news media industry with journalistic touch and knowledge of how to create and recreate information into news. Now serving ‘The Next Hint, Inc.’ and 'Netflix Trends' to serve people with right and original content.

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter