Creating Your Best Home Office
Life and work have been drastically affected by the current situation. Many of us are working from home for the very first time. It's always hard adjusting to a new space while you're working. Even if it's from your favorite and most comfortable place. We wanted to share some tips and tricks on how to create the best home office setup to make this transition easier.
Despite everything, the Lowcountry has never looked more beautiful. Which is one of the things we are very thankful for. It's been hard, right? We are missing our normal daily and work routines. This situation has changed so much for us, just like it has for you. We know that many of you are working from home for the first time, and that is a huge adjustment. It can be an even bigger adjustment if you're home with multiple people, helping your children finish their online school year, and just not used to being home as much. It's a lot, but we are right there with you. Since we are all going through this together, we thought sharing some tips on how to successfully create a home office might just be what we all need right now!
THE BEGINNING
This huge change starts with you and your morning routine. Staying as close to that as you can, can be very beneficial for you and your family. Waking up at the same time every day, getting ready, getting dressed for your workday (avoiding those leggings and sweatpants), working out, eating a good breakfast and whatever else you do in the morning still needs to be included in your day. Use the fact that you don't have a commute right now to your advantage. Make sure to allow yourself breaks, continue to eat well, and include nonwork interactions and phone calls with friends and family into your day. Get up out of your chair, walk around, and stretch every now and then. Be good to yourself and understand that this is a transition. Stay in communication with your coworkers, managers, and bosses and don't leave out any difficulties you might be facing or challenges you're overcoming when speaking with them. You might not be the only one feeling that way. Make sure to start your workday at the same time, and end at the same time as you normally would. You need the separation between work and play just like you did before this all started.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
If you live in a studio apartment or a four-bedroom home, you need to take the next step and create a place that is for work only in your space. That way you can get in the mindset that this where you will be working, and it'll help to make you feel like you're not always at work. Communicate with your family about your hours of work, when not to disturb you, and how to communicate with one another during working hours. Mom and Dad are still there for you, but not when you're bored or need a snack. Avoid getting too comfortable. Working in bed sounds like a wonderful option, and as it might be for the first few days, it's not a successful or comfortable work environment for your mind, body, or your productivity. Make sure you pick a location that promotes productivity and comfort so you can continue working the same normal hours without any consequence. Also, remember that your workday might include a few video calls. Pay attention to what your coworkers and clients can see in your space, and make sure it's appropriate and professional. Placing your workspace in front of a window or in a space where you are close to natural light can promote productivity and attention.
THE SPACE
If you can, reflect what you like about your office and add what you've been missing from it. Embrace natural lighting, but don't forget to add overhead and ambient light with some of your favorite lamps. Add plants and other little touches that make you feel comfortable and like you're in a familiar work space. This transition for so many of us was very quick, and we don't have the luxury to go out and shop like we normally would. So when you want to buy a few new pieces online, don't overtax your time or budget, and don't stress about it. Get creative with what you have at home.
THE DETAILS
Make sure you have all the equipment you need and that it is all located in your new office space. Don't leave your printer in the living room while you're working upstairs, and so on. Make sure all devices and work materials are organized, can be easily accessed, and promote your workflow and not prevent it. Always make sure you have room to work and don't cramp yourself in. Be prepared with plenty of pens, paper, ink, and everything you need during your workday to be successful. This helps with productivity and eliminates trips back to the office or out to the store. Organize your power chords and items you need to plug in, in a safe manner that allows you to function, stay powered up, and prevents you from tripping. Remember you will still need to store important documents and keep them organized. Create a system and a space to store them that allows you to do this successfully. Put away anything that you don't want to look at or can be easily distracting. Make sure your back and neck are always supported and not strained. Lastly, follow these tips on how to set up your computer to keep your eyes healthy and happy!
Your eyes should look down at your computer screen. Tip back the screen back to at least a 10 to 20-degree angle.
Make sure your computer screen is at least twenty inches away from your face.
Place your screen at or just below eye level.
How was your home office set up before you read this blog? Are you excited to make a few adjustments and add a few extra touches to make it perfect? Remember, this might be difficult but this won't be forever. Make the best out of your space now. If you're still struggling, this might be a good time to start thinking about adding an addition to your home or finally taking the step to start building your dream home. We are here to start talking to you about that now, and we look forward to making it a reality when this is all over! Remember, when you are looking for the best architects in Charleston, the best business architects in Charleston, the best residential architects in Charleston, the best commercial architects in Charleston, and the best adaptive reuse architect firm in Charleston, we are here for you! Stay safe and be well everyone!