How To Create the Perfect Work-From-Home Space

As Covid-19 continues to spread across the USA, many of us have now begun to work from home. With nearly 200,000 cases reported every day, and over 2,500 deaths daily, more and more businesses have decided to let their employees work from home. For many, this is the first time that they will have worked at home, and may be finding it challenging to concentrate. 

If you have recently started working from home, here are some easy ways you can transform any area of your home into the perfect workspace. 

Pick the perfect spot in your home

The first thing you need to decide is where you are going to work. If you have space, you should consider setting up your office in a room where nothing will be able to distract you (for example a spare bedroom). If you have less space, you should try and turn a corner of a room into a workable space, free from distractions. Unless you have nowhere else to work, you should never work from your kitchen or living room, as these are filled with potential distractions (such as the TV and snacks). Moreover, rooms like these are the hub of the house, and your family may come into these spaces multiple times a day which could distract you. 

The space you choose to work from should also have a door. This way, you can be certain that you won’t be distracted if you shut the door every time you need to work. Where possible, you should always try and keep your workspace and living space separate, as this means that you will be able to mentally switch off when you leave the workspace. 

If you have children who are also having to study from home, you may have to coordinate your workspace with theirs. For example, you could work at the kitchen table while they work at the dining table, or you could take dedicated breaks from your work to help them study. 

Set up proper lighting

Although this might sound basic, it is an important tip. To reduce the strain on your eyes, you should try and make your work-space as bright as possible. If you can, try and set up your workspace near a window. If you can’t do this, you may need to invest in a lamp. If your eyes are tired after your first day of working from home, you need to increase the amount of light your room is getting. 

Make it comfortable

If you don’t make your workspace comfortable, you are never going to be able to work to your full potential. Make sure you are working at a desk or table that is tall enough so that you won’t have to hunch over while you are working. If you can afford it, invest in an office chair that supports your back but is also comfortable. You should also spend some time and money making the space look vibrant and to your taste, as this means you will be more likely to spend more time there.

None of us know how long this pandemic will go on, and the likelihood is that remote work will become the new normal. Therefore, if you can afford to do so, you must spend time making the space comfortable. Moreover, you should try and make sure it is a space that you enjoy being in. Make sure that you decorate the room to your style and add some more decorations to make it an interesting space to work in. 

Get rid of the distractions

Unless you need your phone to work, switch it off. You should also try and switch off any other electrical appliances that might cause you distractions. 

If you are getting distracted by various noises around the home, or are working in a space like a kitchen where there are distractions everywhere, considering investing in some noise-canceling headphones. 

Another easy way to stay focused while you are working is to ensure that your workspace remains clean and organized. 

Don’t work from your bed or couch

If you live in a small house or apartment, you may have been working in your bed or on your couch as you have nowhere else to work. It may sound cozy, but if possible, don’t work in these areas. Otherwise, you will begin to associate your bed (or couch) with work, meaning that you may have trouble sleeping at night or relaxing after work. 

Consider switching careers

If you have tried all of these tips and are still struggling to cope with the workload, or your role requires you to enter crowded spaces regularly, then you may want to consider switching careers altogether. The rate of infection in the USA is the highest in the world, and if you feel unsafe in your profession then you should seriously consider switching to a career where you can work from the comfort of your own home. 

If you have followed the above tips and are still struggling to get used to working from home, you may also want to consider switching to a career that is easier to do from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the best jobs that can be done from home:

• Web developer
• Freelance writer/editor/proofreader
• Therapist
• Virtual assistant
• Tutor
• Legal assistant

If you are considering making a career switch, you first need to think through your options carefully. Before you start applying for new jobs, make sure that you have a CV that stands out from the crowd. 

Conclusion

It is fair to say that life has been turned upside-down recently. However, while working from home might be novel to you, you should prepare for it to become the new normal. Make sure that you follow the above steps to ensure that you can thrive from your home office.