The concept of home offices has gained immense popularity in recent years, and more so now that remote working and freelance jobs are on the rise. Aside from full-time employees who are working from home, many business owners can also efficiently operate from a home-based office, since advancements in technology have rendered physical meetings in an official environment less crucial or even redundant.
While remote work comprised only approximately 5% of the full-time employment sector in 2019, this figure skyrocketed to over 60% in 2020 due to the global pandemic. This year, even though the percentage of remote work has gradually tapered to approximately 27%, it is positioned to level off at about 25%, showing a significant increase compared to 2019 figures.
Benefits of Working from Home
One significant and quite obvious benefit of working from home is the substantially reduced commuting time. Remote work helps you save time and expenses on commuting, reduces stress related to transportation, and contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle as it decreases carbon footprints induced by vehicles.
Aside from this, many business owners find it easier to manage their personal and professional responsibilities when working from home, as they can adjust their schedules for their individual needs, appointments, or errands. With fewer interruptions at home, compared to traditional office spaces, you can enjoy a more focused and efficient work environment.
Health benefits can’t be overlooked either because remote work provides more time for physical activities and encourages healthier eating habits. Plus, a comfortable workspace at home may lead to less workplace stress and greater work satisfaction while also lowering the risk of catching infectious diseases prevalent in a traditional office environment.
But to fully enjoy all these benefits, you need a proper location with good equipment, furniture, and appliances that will help you work properly and efficiently. This is because a dedicated home office allows you to separate work and personal spaces while enabling you to showcase professionalism during virtual meetings. It also promotes the organization of work materials and boosts mental well-being by reducing work-related stress.
Setting Up Your Home Office
With the comfort, convenience, and flexibility a home office offers, it’s no surprise to see it become a mainstay in the modern, dynamic work culture. Aside from helping you feel more relaxed, productive, and motivated, a well-designed home office will save you a lot of money in the long run – and any extra dollars saved can be put back into your business to help it grow.
However, there are certain factors that you must pay careful attention to when setting up your home office to make sure that it serves its purpose. Here are four things you should think about:
1. Choose A Good Location
Aside from keeping your work space separate from your main living space and helping you maintain clear work-home boundaries, a good home office location can reduce distractions, promote focus, and enhance your performance. Thus, this is not a choice that should be taken lightly.
One crucial consideration for your location is the amount of natural light it gets because this will make it easier for you to see what you’re doing and feel more inspired. The room should also be quiet and free from distractions, such as TVs, phones, and other people who might want to talk with you, but close to kitchen appliances like washers, bathrooms, and laundry rooms to make it convenient for you to do your chores as necessary.
2. Prioritize Your Comfort
A comfortable and conducive home office environment can significantly affect your productivity and job satisfaction, so this should not be taken for granted either. For maintaining air quality, go for appliances like air purifiers, humidifiers, or dehumidifiers, along with desk or floor fans for better air circulation. Additional tools like an electric kettle, coffee maker, or refrigerator can also enhance convenience, saving valuable break time and minimizing distractions.
Temperature-controlling appliances like space heaters or portable air conditioners are also crucial, especially in extreme weather conditions. An efficient HVAC system with proper ductwork can intensify home office comfort, providing optimal temperature, air quality, airflow, and humidity management. “In your home, the ductwork is responsible for distributing air throughout the living space,” Cinch home services wrote in a blog post.
3. Get a Desk That Fits You
When it comes to the perfect desk, size is one of the first things that come to mind. As you shop for your home office furniture, choose a table and chair with the right size and height while also fitting comfortably in your home office without taking up too much floor space.
It is also best to try different heights before deciding which will work best for both comfort and ergonomics. When choosing between sitting versus standing desks, consider factors such as whether or not there’s enough room around the desk itself so that no one else has any issues when walking around them or whether having multiple monitors mounted above their heads might make it harder on their necks later on since they’ll have less room between themselves and these screens.
4. Don’t Forget About the Décor
Office decor can highly influence the ambiance of your home office, and investing in practical pieces like shelves or storage boxes can help you maintain a tidy, organized space with less distractions. A simple, affordable route may include hanging favorite pictures, while a larger budget could accommodate rugs or plants to soften the work atmosphere.
Introducing personal style elements can stimulate innovative thinking as well, while catering to your individual taste can enhance efficiency. Additionally, a mentally appealing environment contributes to stress reduction and a positive work attitude, and ergonomically favorable decoration will benefit your physical comfort and health.
