Creating an Effective Home Office Space

Whether you’ve just formed a startup business or are a first-time remote intrapreneur for a large company, working from home can be a daunting challenge. You’ll have to balance the greater autonomy that your movements and working processes offer with self-discipline, motivation and productivity.

Find this perfect balance by creating an effective home office space that eliminates domestic distractions and affords you the foundation to complete a full day’s work in a trouble-free manner. Consider these practical considerations for creating your perfect home office. 

Choosing a Premium Home Work Area

Above all else, you’ll first need an area in your home that serves as the best office away from the office. When choosing your designated working zone, whether it be a study, attic, spare bedroom, outside flatlet or unused garage, you must consider the following:

1. Privacy 

Being alone in your work environment is paramount. Your home office should have a door that closes and preferably locks. Because you’ll be aware of needing more self-discipline than in the office, any distractions will appear more disruptive. 

Even the slightest interference with your professional routine will likely cause frustration and annoyance, potentially hampering personal relationships beyond working hours. Before you start working from home, set boundaries with family members. Stress that you’ll be at work during prescribed hours with only emergency disturbances. Set a lunch hour where you can interact personally.

2. Security

Wherever you position your home office, it must be secure. It will house expensive digital and office equipment that your young child or uninvited visitors may find fascinating. 

You might be an established business owner who’s relocated home or a newly remote intrapreneur for a large company with valuable professional data on the premises. If so, make regular backups and keep them securely off-site or elsewhere in your home. 

Securing your business's private information and resources will pay for itself dozens of times over. Installing locks designated as grade-one security by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) will go a long way toward preventing break-ins. Connected locks go even further, locking your door automatically whenever your security system is turned on.

3. Comfort

Being comfortable is an essential factor when based in a home office. Although you want to separate your domestic and business environments, it’s necessary to remember that entirely alienating one from the other is not constructive, either. At work, you likely had a picture or two of your family, partner or pet on your desk. Don’t change this because they’re only beyond a closed door or in the living room down the passage.

Have a radio if you enjoy background music. Make sure your home office space is air-conditioned or has a ceiling fan. Keep a kettle, coffee or tea readily available and a small fridge for cool refreshments or light snacks when necessary. If possible, position your office close to a bathroom area, but keep your toothbrush in the main bathroom — maintaining a healthy work-life balance is primary when you work from home.

4. Office Equipment and Furniture 

Perhaps you’ve spent years as an employee working in an office environment. Your company provided everything from your chair and desk to your electronic equipment, internet connection and even a water cooler. Maybe you’re a startup entrepreneur fitting out a home office for the first time. Either way, the same applies — you must start from scratch. 

You’ll need to consider the following additions to your home office space:

• Office desk: Choose a desk that is spacious enough to accommodate your computer monitor, keyboard and mouse while meeting your other working requirements. Preferably choose a position in the office where you can access natural light. 

• Ergonomic chair: Depending on your job function, you’ll likely spend most of your working time in your chair. An adjustable seat with armrests and lumbar support encourages productivity and comfort.

• Computer equipment: Some companies supply remote employees with standard desktop computers or laptops. If you’re lucky, you will likely have a decent headset, webcam and possibly an inverter included. If not, choose quality equipment that encourages productivity without potential glitches during remote meetings and general work.

• Internet/Wi-Fi: Equipping your home office with reliable online connectivity with enough bandwidth is imperative. Your profession depends on it. If you can position your router in your office space, ideally with a LAN cable connection, you’re in the best position to remedy any connection glitches quickly if they occur.

5. Other Home Office Considerations

Always remember that your home office is your space, and you have free rein to design and arrange it however you like. It is your prerogative if you want photos of your loved ones or posters with motivational quotes on the walls. Do whatever will make you comfortable and able to do your job in the most focused and productive way. 

Be as organized as possible. Erect wall shelving if needed or include a lockable cupboard to store documents relating to your necessary personal budgeting requirements or financials if you prefer hard copies to the cloud.

Consider adding a comfortable lounge chair near a window for short breaks to regain your focus. Including a television may be counterproductive and discourage productivity or leaving the office after hours. Instead, keep it in the living room to encourage your work-life balance.

Lastly, keep office clutter to a minimum. Replacing unnecessary items with plants will allow you to keep a free and focused mindset and improve your working environment. The average worker spends excessive time on tasks with little to no value, and avoiding distractions will sharpen your focus.

Remote Work Is Everything You Make It

When you sit down at your home office desk for the first time, you'll likely feel both nervous and excited. The benefits of remote work are plentiful, but so are the potential hazards. You're bound to be up to the task if you can create an effective workspace by following these guidelines.

Cover Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash