The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken our world and left us wondering what the future holds.

One of the things the world is discussing is the future of work after the global lockdowns come to an end. Many of us have transitioned to working from home. Some of us have been given the option to work from home, while others have had to look for work they can do at home.

We predict that even after the end of the lockdown, there will be a greater desire to work from home.

And if you wish to continue working from home, you will want to know about setting up office at home.

Setting Up Office at Home

In this guide, we will show you how to create your dream office in your home. Whether you are looking to remodel or renovate a room, we will outline how to make sure your home office is suitable for working remotely.

Here’s what to know:

1. The Right Stuff

Of course, the first thing you must do is find the “right stuff” to keep in your new home office. We suggest learning from the experts on what makes the perfect home office.

Think about the layout you want. Do you want a desk facing your window? Or will that be too distracting that you’ll need your desk facing a wall?

You want to consider if your home office will also have a space for relaxing. Maybe during your lunch break, you can sit on your sofa and watch TV? Or maybe you will have a corner where you can have a meeting or invite clients over?

Once you have decided on the layout, you’ll know what the “right stuff” entails. You’ll be able to decide your desk, your chair, and any other additional equipment needed for your office.

2. The Desk

How do you set up your desk? First, make sure you choose a desk that is the right size for your needs.

Consider if you’ll need space for a laptop or a desktop computer. While you may wish to “go green” you may also need space for a printer. We suggest optimizing your space by purchasing a printer and scanner combo. 

If you do purchase a printer, you will want a space on your desk to easily access your printer paper. You can keep it in a closet or elsewhere in the house, of course, but for efficiency’s sake, it is best to keep it within arms’ reach.

You will also want to make space for notebooks, pens, and other stationery on your desk. If you have an excess of stationery, you will want to opt for a desk that has drawers.

Ideally, you will also choose a wide desk so that there are empty spots on your desk. For most of us, clutter is distracting to being productive. Have a desk large enough to organize your items in a way that leaves empty space.

3. Atmosphere

Unlike the office that you commute to (or used to), you get to decide the atmosphere of your home office.

As we mentioned in the previous tip, clutter is distracting to most people. Maybe you want a minimalist-style office?

This atmosphere may not bring out the “personality” of your office, but it allows for a lot of free space and few distractions.

But if you are expecting client meetings or collaboration to happen in your office, you may want a more inviting atmosphere. Apart from having a table where everyone can sit, you may wish to install a coffee machine to keep your colleagues energized.

If appropriate, you may wish to have a mini-bar for when you entertain your clients. 

If you want a space where you or others can relax during work breaks, have a large seating area such as a sofa. Perhaps around that area, you will want side tables where food can be kept.

Maybe you will want a small bookshelf so your colleagues can read quietly. Or if everyone agrees to take a break at the same time, you could have a television and a video game console!

4. Work Tools and Other Accessories

Apart from your computer and stationery, you may want additional work tools in your home office.

If you need to make presentations, either to colleagues/clients you may want to install a large monitor in your office. Or, if you have an empty wall, you can use it as a makeshift screen and use a projector to display your presentation.

We mentioned a possible bookshelf for downtime. But you may also want your office to be a place where you can work on your professional development. Just as a lawyer would have law books and legal codes at an arms’ reach, you should also have a shelf of books relevant to your work.

Think about what else is needed to help you with your work. If you work for a logistics company, you may wish to hang up a map of the world so you can easily pinpoint the distance between geographical locations.

If you need a space to brainstorm or present ideas, you may wish to set up a whiteboard or a chalkboard.

5. Aesthetics

We return to what we discussed in tip #3. The aesthetics of your home office will help you be more productive and can make it welcoming for your colleagues/clients.

If you opt for a minimalist atmosphere, you may wish to keep the walls white or use a neutral color such as light grey.

If involved in a more artistic profession such as video editing or graphic design, you may wish to choose vibrant colors – ranging from light blue walls to a red chair and maybe even unique accessories such as a lava lamp (yes, we still think they are cool!). 

The aesthetics of your home office will contribute to its atmosphere. It will help you work better and will make your office more inviting to others. 

Design Your Dream Office

Now that you know about setting up office to continue working during and after the COVID-19 lockdown, you are ready to design your dream office.

Reach out to us to see how we can help you get started!