The outbreak of Covid-19 has already changed many of the ways that we approach doing things as normal.
The outbreak of Covid-19 has already changed many of the ways that we approach doing things as normal. One of the biggest shifts is the large number of people that have begun to work remotely and is one change that might stick around longer than the virus. According to aLinkedin survey, 82% of people wanted to work from home at least once a week with 57% wanting to work from home at least 3 days a week. While you might be the most productive working in your PJ’s from bed, here are some tips for setting up a home office.
Invest in a good chair
Even while you are working at home you can still spend up to half a day sitting in the chair. Day after day those hours stack up. Having a good office chair for that time seated can help mitigate bad posture, save your back, and increase productivity. There is a massive range of chairs out there at many price points which can make the chair buying process a tad overwhelming at times. Some things to consider and narrow the options down are back, thigh, and arm support, materials, height, and warranty if offered.
Choose the right desk for you and your home
A desk that meets the needs of your work and available space is the foundation of a good home office space. Take time to carefully consider what your needs are, and how to best accommodate them in the new workspace. Do you want a standing desk, a long one with tons of space to spread out, or does enough space for your laptop seem like the ideal size? Here are someDIY desk plans for any shape and size to get you started.
Good cable management is a thing of beauty
The last thing you want when setting up your desk is to have it perfectly set up on top but have heaps of tangled cables lurking below. Thankfully managing cables is fairly simple but just takes some time and thought to get right. Here is ahelpful guide to getting you started on making the cables disappear.
Ask your employer for help
If you are being encouraged to work from home due to COVID-19 you may want to get in touch with your employer to help you set up your own office. Just like they would provide you with a desk and a chair at the office, they may be able to help you with some of the cost of setting up your work from home office.
Use a second monitor
While not a necessity, having a second monitor can really revolutionize your workflow. The ability to switch between two screens or just to have a bigger screen to view your work can help increase your productivity. Without having to juggle multiple windows, multitasking becomes much easier. If you are looking for a monitor but don’t want to break the bank check outIGN’s guide to best budget monitors.
Don’t forget about the mouse and keyboard
Often overlooked, a good mouse and a keyboard are key tools to anybody working remotely in the 21st century. Mechanical keyboards offer a nice tactile feel with good feedback and can offer lots of comfort and support. They also can be highly modular and customizable for any layout that you may be after. If you want to go full customization modecheck out these keyboards.
When looking at a mouse it is good to look at ones that will be the most ergonomic for the long days in your home office. For a complete guide on mouse shoppingcheck out this guide.
Set up your desk for long-term ergonomic success
Spending some extra time measuring and adjusting your desk and monitor in your new home office can be well worth it in the long run. Good ergonomic practices can save your body unnecessary aches and pains from the long hours spent in a chair working each day.
Here is agreat resource to help you get you started on your journey to comfort.
Style to taste
House plants can be a great addition to your home office. They help filter the air, require natural light making you open the shades, and could make your office Instagram worthy if you are into that kind of thing. Stuff has a great article ongetting started with house plants.
If house plants aren’t your style or you are looking for more desk decor check out thisBuzzfeed article. It has a variety of objects to liven up your office space such as a “Dundie” award, novelty mugs, or caffeinated chocolate.
If setting up a home office is a priority or a necessity for you but you don’t have the finances right now, aHome Renovation loan from Harmoney can help.
