On the Home Front Blog »

Outfitting Your Home Office for Maximum Productivity

by Brandon Simpson and Dan Lawson

It looks as if people will be telecommuting a little longer, or maybe they’ve made their work-from-home scenario a permanent switch. Either way, it’s important to have a dedicated space and the right equipment for making it work. We put out a few feelers to folks we know who are working remotely. Here’s their advice on how to outfit your home office for maximum productivity.

A work surface, chair and filing space  

You may have these items at hand. Some people make do. We have a friend who’s working at home temporarily. He uses the dining table and brought in his nice desk chair from the office. Whatever the setup, make sure your chair aligns at a comfortable height to your work surface. Standing desks are another ergonomic option. We’ve also seen nice-looking filing solutions, including desktop cubbies, rolling carts and portable filing containers.

Equipment

Of course, you’ll need good Internet access, a desktop or laptop computer and a printer. If you live in a rural area, you may need to upgrade your router to 4G, or consider activating Mi-fi to provide a mini wireless broadband cloud or hotspot. A noise-quieting headset is also a good idea, to keep conference calls from leaking to other parts of the house.

Lighting

Situate your work area so that it catches natural light from a window, and make sure your overhead lighting is sufficient. AB Homes, for instance, offers recessed lighting solutions to fully illuminate large spaces. You also can add a desk lamp for task lighting.

Plants and a few homey touches

Studies have shown that plants boost energy, mood, productivity, concentration and improve the quality of indoor air. We say, bring them on! It’s also nice to have a few decorative items or mementoes that make you feel good. A consultant we work with keeps an antique globe on a credenza to remind her of the places she’d like to visit. Framed photos, your kids’ artwork and small vases are also nice.

Zoom backdrops

And last but not least, these days it’s good to have a pleasing backdrop for your video chats and group calls. When you’re setting up your home office, make sure the area behind you is neat and well kept. Tidy bookshelves, wall art and well-placed plants look good for about any call. Just make sure to view it on your computer camera before logging in.

If you’re interested in building a new house with a home office setting, give us a call. We’d love to work with you on a floor plan to suit both your lifestyle – and work style.

All the best,

Brandon and Dan

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