Working from home is hardly new, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it an unplanned requirement for many small businesses. Many businesses have discovered that they don’t need large office buildings or to spend hours commuting when they can set up a home office. Besides, there are many advantages to setting up a home office like saving time, money, and energy, plus you can set it up exactly the way you want it arranged —how about an office with a view and some nature therapy?
Today we’re going to talk about how to set up a home office, the home office of your dreams, so you can live the good life because, after all, you only get one life, and you have to make the most of it.
Location! Location! Location!
Let’s talk about home office location.
In a perfect world, you would have a separate room with essentials like a desk, computer, etc. This room could have a window with a nice view of the outside and a door for privacy and to help separate “work” from “home.”
In reality, most people don’t have an extra room to set up a home office, but you could make a guest room into a dual-purpose area: an office and a guest room when people visit. (If your space and budget allow, a futon or Murphy bed is a great way to do that.) An enclosed porch, large laundry room, or garden shed can do the trick.
If you can’t create a dedicated room, try to find a nook you can use that is out of the rest of the household’s way as much as possible. Consider using your space creatively. Unused corners in larger rooms, large (but empty) closets, or even under the staircase! There are plenty of areas that can be converted into an office with a little bit of creativity.
Privacy
You’ll want to consider privacy, which may not be a big deal for someone running a lawn care business but may be a big deal for a lawyer or other professional dealing with sensitive information. If your home office setup doesn’t have a door to shut from the rest of the household, consider a privacy screen, whether a folded divider on the floor or a curtain or backdrop hung from the ceiling.
Furnishings
It’s helpful to list what essentials you need in your home office.
Some everyday staples are:
- Desk
- Chair
- Computer
- Computer accessories such as a mouse pad and mouse
- Office management software, like ServiceWorks, especially for those who are running field service businesses from home
- Printer
- Essential office supplies: pens, pencils, paper
Other office accouterments can be decorations, personal items, plants, or anything to make your office more peaceful and bring joy.
Comfort
Your home office setup is an investment in yourself. You want to create a professional environment where you will be productive and comfortable.
Grabbing a chair from the dining area while working from home can be economical and easy. But sitting at a desk for long hours without proper support for your back is a fast track to posture problems. Ergonomic office chairs offer adequate support when you’re sitting for long hours. Like the rest of your home office furniture, investing in a supportive chair is an investment in your health and well-being in the years to come.
Light it Up
You should pay attention to good lighting since you’ll be spending a decent amount of time there, and it will influence how you feel and impact how productive you are. Natural light from a window is best, but you can experiment with different light tones and brightness to determine which works best for you.
To reduce eye strain, have proper lighting over your computer area to prevent squinting and headaches so you can work more safely and comfortably.
Set Boundaries
Yes, you saw that correctly. You’ll want to set some boundaries with yourself by establishing your work hours to focus solely on work and not work all hours of the night or take calls and answer emails when you’re not at work.
Make it Mobile
It’s helpful as a business owner to be able to take your work with you and do it remotely so that you can have more time for a vacation. All you need is a smartphone and a great office management app like ServiceWorks.
ServiceWorks does the job of an office admin, and even better, it can be used from your phone once installed, and you can have immediate access to all aspects of your field service business, such as employee tracking, client info, accounts payable and receivable, route optimization for your workers, and more.
This app even sends out automated customer satisfaction surveys. Best of all, there is even a 14-day risk-free trial, so why not try it today and get ready to do business from a hammock on the beach while you’re living your best life?
