Easy Ways to Set Up a Home Office

In the age of COVID, working from home has become the new norm for many. Working from home, however, is not without its drawbacks. Your once right-sized home office has suddenly shrunk because you must now share the space with your spouse. Your children might be sitting at the kitchen counter on never-ending video conference calls with teachers and classmates. Or the desk you picked up at a yard sale is no longer sufficient to hold everything you need at hand: computer, printer, work papers and files. Without a doubt, many people have had to adapt to a less-than-optimal situation when it comes to working from home.

Common wisdom tells us that working from home is becoming more and more the norm, as employers realize the benefits they reap by not having to pay for office space, electricity, etc. Employees will also be more open to a permanent or long-term work arrangement if they have a proper workspace that lets them do their job with the same efficiency and comfort as if they were at the office. With a space dedicated and designed specifically to meet your home office needs, whether you already have a separate room as a home office or must carve out a new space, the proper setup might just end up making your job easier.

If your budget allows, make a few adjustments to the physical environment, and you’ll end up with an office you’ll enjoy entering and spending hours in every day. Follow these tips the make sure it happens.

• Select a room with a door you can close when necessary, to have quiet and privacy when working and on calls. If you have no separate room, set up a divider wall to delineate the office, and mark it off limits to others during work hours.
• Choose a space with a window to allow natural light to enter, to brighten the office and help keep you upbeat and focused on the task at hand. If a window is not possible, consider installing a sun tunnel or skylight to get the light you need.
• Use a desk and chair arrangement that supports you correctly. Ergonomically correct also refers to the height of your computer, location of keyboard and mouse, and even when using a footrest. When you spend hours in an unnatural, uncomfortable position, you will fatigue more quickly and possibly develop strain on muscles and joints.
• Hang or stack shelves for holding supplies and keep a drawer unit nearby for access to the items you use most. In a smaller space, hang cabinets with glass doors overhead to quickly see what you’ve stored in them.
• Install sturdy flooring so you can roll around on your desk chair easily to reach desk and other items.
• Hang a peg board for holding shelves and/or supplies, and a bulletin board for keeping important notes and papers at eye level. Another option is to use chalkboard paint or hang a chalkboard or whiteboard for making quick notes or reminders.
• Place lamps or install overhead and task lighting to properly illuminate your workspace.
• Make it yours. Add a few touches such as family photos or children’s artwork, a favorite collector’s piece, framed diploma or certificates of recognition, a plant or two.
• If space allows, place a small sofa or loveseat against one wall for when you have to host a client or if, mid-afternoon, fatigue sets in and you need to catch a catnap.   
• An out-of-the-way niche under stairs or in an alcove might be just the place to build in a desk and storage solution. An empty wall is perfect for building in a desk, drawers, shelving, and everything you need for the perfect home office.

No matter how big – or how small – your home office is, you can personalize it and make it all your own. With just the right work environment for you, who knows? Your job just might seem that much easier.

Sovereign Construction Services is a full-service home construction and remodeling company. If you are interested in learning how you can turn a room or space in your home into a home office, let owner Steve Rush make a few recommendations. He is available for a free consultation to discuss your lighting needs or any other home improvement project you may have. Call Steve today at 610-639-2986.