More people are working from home than ever before. Unfortunately, if your home office isn’t set up for success, you can wind up frustrated and unproductive!
Making your house work-from-home friendly can be a bit of a challenge at first. In some cases, it can be tough to mimic the focused environment of a traditional office setting at home. From distractions to overly cramped rooms, the initial setup of work-from-home office space is a bit tricky.
You may even need to contact a real estate agent to discuss buying a new home that will give you a dedicated workspace!
If you need to make your home office more work-friendly, here are a few helpful tips to get you started.
Design an Ergonomic Office
In your old office, you might have already been set up with the ideal workstation. Your company likely supplied you with a desk and an office chair. If you’re making the transition to working from home, you’ll need to set up an office that’s designed for both efficiency and comfort.
You may need to invest in a few new items, including:
- An ergonomic desk chair with lumbar support
- Appropriate lighting for your workspace
- A desk at the correct height for your frame
- A headset
- An ergonomic keyboard and mouse
The initial setup for working from home can be a bit of an investment. Focus on purchasing quality items that will last you for years to come.
Get Organized
Organization is the key to creating a successful work-from-home environment. There may be a few items around your house that you can repurpose for your office space. However, you may also need to invest in a few new items.
Wall shelving can be nice because it does not take up as much space as a bookshelf or filing cabinet. When space is at a premium, you may want to consider this option to keep your papers neat. If you have a little more room to spread out, you may want to invest in larger furniture pieces that provide ample storage.
It can also be helpful to consider going paperless. Organizing all of your documents into folders and piles on your desk creates clutter. A paperless system allows you to keep everything in one convenient location on your computer.
Consider investing in a scanner for your home office to make this a reality.
Eliminating Distractions
Working from home means that you don’t always truly get away from the hustle and bustle of family life. This transition can mean that you get interrupted frequently by roommates or family members. To work effectively, you need a designated space away from everyone else. It should be completely free from distractions.
If you can’t find an area of your home that is private enough, you need to set ground rules with your family. Let them know your work hours and what they should do during that time.
Of course, you can always contact a real estate agent to consider purchasing a new home with a more private space for you to work in, too!
Keep Your Work Separate from Your Living Spaces
Working from home can make it tempting to put in longer hours. It is hard to simply turn off your computer at the end of the workday when things are left unfinished. One way to make sure that you don’t overwork yourself? Separate your home office from your main living spaces.
Avoid setting up your workspace in an area where you would typically relax. Keep computers out of the bedroom, even though it is tempting to work from the comfort of your bed. You also might want to forego placing your office in high-traffic areas, like the living room or kitchen.
Contact a Real Estate Agent to Help Find an Office Space
If working from home is new to you, then you may not have purchased your home with this in mind. You may desperately need your own workspace to keep organized and to have privacy from the rest of your family. Unfortunately, there is no easy or quick fix if you lack a space to call your own.
Consider investing in a larger home with more space for you to work. Even if your home is big enough already, you may need a better layout. Perhaps a dedicated office space would be ideal for your work arrangements.
Many modern homes are built with remote work in mind. Contact a qualified real estate agent to help you search for a home that can better suit your needs. They can help you to set a reasonable budget, tour properties to find the perfect fit, and negotiate to get the home at the right price.
Getting the Right Home Office
Setting up a dedicated office space free of clutter and distractions is the key to long-term success when you’re working from home. If you have no space in your home to work, it may be time to contact a real estate agent for help finding a new house.
Reach out to RE/MAX Advantage Plus to contact an agent today!
