Tips for setting up a home office

A better work-life balance, no need to rent office space, and no commuting are some of the biggest advantages of working from the comfort of your home. Another perk is being able to design your own office. Setting up a home office is not hard at all if planned carefully. Here are a few tips.

Find the right space to set up a home office

You know how difficult it can be not to take your work home. But what if you work from home? Separating the two becomes even more complicated. Therefore, it is crucial to make a clear distinction. A home office is just for work. This room should be as quiet as possible, with enough sunlight and fresh air. Make sure there are no distractions. You should avoid setting up a home office in a common area that is used for other activities as well. This way, your children will learn about boundaries, plus, you won’t get tempted to watch TV or chat with your family members when you’re supposed to be working.

Relocating a home office

If you are moving your home office from your old home to a new one, you should consider a few things before setting it up. The most important step is finding reliable movers. You can contact some of the best cross country movers Columbia currently offers and ask for a precise estimate before hiring them. There are many companies with experience in both commercial and residential relocation, and this is a little bit of both. Make sure the company you hire is trustworthy since they will be handling valuable and delicate items. 

Packing up for the move

Certain items are easier to pack than others. Packing office equipment requires more skill and better packing materials. Make sure you know how to do it, especially if you’re moving long distance. Alternatively, you could hire Charleston interstate movers to take care of this task. After all, your entire business could be jeopardized by the risks that every relocation brings and that is something you want to avoid. 

Declutter before setting up a home office

You do not need to move everything, even if the new office is going to be bigger than the old one. There must be something you should get rid of. This will not only make the relocation easier but also less expensive. Not surprisingly, your moving quote will be lower if you leave some of your items behind. Offices tend to clutter up quickly. That can disturb you and reduce productivity. So, make sure you don’t bring that mess with you. You should have a fresh start in a clean, organized work environment. If you need extra space to store some of your goods, choose the right commercial storage – one that is reasonably priced, safe and clean.

Make a list

Every project starts in our head, as an idea, or a bunch of related ideas. But, these ideas are not easy to organize or even remember after a short while. So, setting up a home office should start from a simple piece of paper and a pen. First, write down the essentials – the items you cannot do without. Every home office needs a desk and something to sit on. Probably a computer, too. Then, list all those non-essential items you would like to have in your home office. For example, a whiteboard, a nice carpet or artwork.

Have fun setting up a home office

A home office doesn’t have to be all business and no pleasure. Use your imagination when picking the colors and decorations. Since colors affect our mood tremendously, picking the best colors is as important as picking the best movers. Paint the walls a bright color or consider stylish wallpapers. Add some artwork or pictures of your loved ones. Plants will also freshen up the room and give it life. If you don’t trust your taste or lack ideas, there are many interior design magazines and websites with creative ideas for every budget.

Furniture and other essentials

Before the furniture, you should think about heating, the internet, and the phone. Make sure you have a good internet connection and get a dedicated line installed if you plan on using a landline.

The desk chair

If you’re setting up a home office with a limited budget, you could repurpose your old furniture. Still, make sure it is functional and comfortable. But not too comfortable! You know what we mean – no distractions. Although bean bag chairs have become popular even in office spaces, some of us easily fall asleep in them. So, be careful what pieces of furniture you choose. The chair is the most important piece. Since you will be spending a lot of time in it, working in front of a computer, your chair should be designed for this purpose. Invest in a quality chair because poor office posture can lead to pain and cause numerous health problems. A footstool (about 10″ high) could be a good idea if you want to put your feet up.

The desk

It is important that your office desk be large enough and the appropriate height. It should be able to fit a lamp, a computer, a phone, maybe a plant, pencil holders or some photo frames, and still have enough room to spare so that you can comfortably place your coffee, papers or something else when needed.

The lighting

Eye strain is a common problem among office workers. In order to avoid it, your working space has to be well lit. Place a light over your reading space, on the computer, as well as behind you, making sure there is no reflection off the monitor. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. The monitor should be at a comfortable distance from your chair. Not too close, nor too far. Precisely, not closer than 20 inches (51 cm) from the eyes. Also, the role of window coverings is not purely decorative. You need to control the light coming from the outside in order to have a pleasant work environment.