9 Tips to Create Your Perfect "Work from Home" Setup

The work-from-home trend is gathering steam. The latest statistics show that 38 percent of people are able to work from home at least once a week. In the US alone, 4 million people worked from home, and in the UK and in India, 53 percent people have expressed preferences for working from home. Whether you’re self-employed or a salaried worker, the work-from-home option is increasingly becoming a preferred option, due to multiple personal and professional reasons.

Don’t live in an illusion. Working from home doesn’t mean lazing around on the bed or couch with a laptop. In fact, it requires a greater measure of dedication and discipline. Your work-from-home setup should resemble a professional platform.

In my article, I will share some actionable tips to create your perfect work-from-home setup.

#1 Natural Light

Don’t put the work table against the wall in a shabby corner of the room. Inadvertently, you’re creating a cubicle resembling a corporate office. Embrace the natural light. Create the work desk near the window, parallel to the window panes to avoid reflection. Put some plants on the desk or the window sill. Your work-space will look brighter and enjoyable.

#2 Storage Space

Avoid clutter. Avoid piling papers and files on the work desk. Store them cleanly and neatly in cabinets. Psychologists (and logic) say that clutter determines the mental framework of the person. It breeds negativity and chaos. Invest in good quality and functional cabinets, which could be detached from the work table. You can go for wall storage or magazine-style racks.

#3 Home Security

You are bound to have all your important business related data and documents stored at home. With more than 4800 break-ins reported in the US alone each day, the need for robust home security is critical. Unless your door is already well secured, invest in some good quality locking system. The window by the work desk should be well secured. You could install some burglar alarm or a monitoring CCTV.

#4 Hide Cords

Cords are boring and irritating, to me at least. Our modern life is full of wires! Keep the work space clear by hiding the cords. You can buy a multi-plug extension and keep it somewhere you won’t see daily. Plug in all the cords to this extension. You can go for wireless mouse and a strong battery to make the laptop work longer hours. Keep the wires out of the way.

#5 Check Insurance

Your home rent agreement or policy may not cover a home office. Talk with the homeowner about liabilities. You should check for policies to learn whether there is liability coverage for accidents befalling your clients or anyone visiting the space for business. Also, inquire about property coverage, for example, loss of business items via theft.

#6 Make it Personal

Unlike office cubicles, you need to turn the work-from-home space into a personal one. Cubicles are impersonal. Your home office should be personal. Use colors to inspire. Add photo frames of family members. Keep saplings and watch them grow. Install a music system. Whatever makes you feel alive and motivated can be incorporated into the workspace.

#7 Office – Home Distinction

As I mentioned in the beginning, the workspace should resemble an office – a productive space where you further your career or business. Ideally, the office setup should be separate from the rest of the house. Don’t create the office space in the living room or the kitchen. A spare bedroom or a spare storage space is the best option. Turn it into an office and treat it like one. When in office, shut the door and remove yourself from the feeling of being in your ‘home’. Don’t eat there, don’t socialize there. Close the door behind you, every day, when leaving the ‘office’. Lastly, maintain specific work hours.

#8 Avoid Online Distractions

Working from home isn’t simple. Don’t waste time being plugged into social networks. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and the others can completely absorb your whole day. In the end, you don’t have any productive activity to account for. Working from home requires you to be accountable to yourself.

#9 Ergonomics

Follow the rules of ergonomics. The four basics are:

• Place keyboard in such a way that your forearms should be parallel to the floor.
• Plant the feet firmly on the ground. Use a footrest if you’re short.
• Invest in an ergonomic chair that gives the upper body the correct posture.
• The computer screen should be at eye level or a little below.

Endnote

The work-from-home setup should reflect your personality and professional goals. Keep it interesting and engaging, productive and inspirational.