With growing numbers of people regularly working from home, it’s important to get the environment just right for doing so
Choose the right space
With 40% of Brits now working from home each week, it’s clear to see why: with the benefits from doing so ranging from saving money on the commute, to being in for deliveries and the school run.
But what should you consider when converting a room into a home office? Choosing the right space is the first important decision to make. It’s not just about fitting into any space; you will, after all be spending most of your working day in there!
If you’re able, choose a room that has some natural light coming in and that will be big enough to accommodate a desk, chair and storage – depending on your needs, of course.
Create the perfect environment
As you will be spending a good deal of time working in your chosen room, it’s vital that you create the perfect environment so that your productivity isn’t impacted.
An uncomfortable and incorrectly positioned chair can lead to repeated shuffling to get comfortable, leading to distraction and a lack of desire to lock yourself away in your office and get the job done! The same ethos applies to your desk. Work out how much space you need. Is it just a laptop you need the space for, or will you be using it to organise paperwork? Whatever your needs, ensure you have a desk that is up for the job.
Kit it out
OK, so you know what you need: now time to kit out your office. With the boom of internet shopping, you no longer need to rely on a trip to Ikea to get the office furniture you need. It’s always a good starting point but why not try the likes of www.wayfair.co.uk, www.officefurnitureonline.co.uk or www.ryman.co.uk to name but a few.
Again, work out what you need before you buy so you don’t end up buying more than needed (or you can actually fit in the room!)
Get connected
If your broadband speed isn’t up to scratch it can be frustrating. Employers are likely to call you back into the office if your speed can’t handle the work you need to do.
Alternatively, if you use Skype for business, a poor broadband speed could seriously hinder any meetings you have planned, with your call falling out and poor quality pictures for meetings.
Slow broadband speed is a big turn off. Luckily rural countryside areas are finally catching up with inner-city speeds. Comparison websites such as Uswitch and Compare the Market will show you the best deals and estimated speeds in your area in minutes.
Not only do you need a fast broadband speed, but you also want one that is consistently good from morning to evening.
Storage delights
Keep it tidy and keep it simple! There are plenty of storage solutions out there for your home office space. And if floor space is limited, utilise wall space instead with bookcases or wall storage.