With technology making remote work possible, an out-of-town move no longer always means changing employment. Many employees switch to working from home as remote employees when they move and their job permits. If this is your first time setting up a home office, having a few guidelines along the way will be helpful.
Here are some excellent tips to help you navigate setting up a home office after a residential move. We’ll cover everything from picking ergonomic furniture choices to optimizing your workspace for productivity.
Crafting an Ergonomic Home Office with the Right Furniture
From the desk you use to the chair you sit in, you should consider every piece of furniture in your home office carefully. If you use furnishings that are not ergonomically designed, they can put undue stress on your body as you work. For example, choosing the right office chair is essential to your spine health.
Therefore, be sure to look for a chair that:
- Offers adjustable seat height, so you remain the proper height from the floor
- Has adequate seat depth and width to support your body shape and weight
- Provides lumbar support to protect your lower back
- Contains a backrest for full back support
- Rotates so you can turn without straining
- Provides armrests to support your elbows
Optimizing Your Home Workspace for Productivity
Work and home often don’t mix well. The everyday happenings taking place at home are not always conducive to productivity. Therefore, when working remotely, you must carefully create a more focused work area. The Muse offers a nice collection of tips to help you achieve the most productive and efficient workspace at home. A few good ideas include:
- Ensure your office is in a quiet room, separate from noisy household happenings.
- Keep clutter to a minimum inside the office.
- Remove distractions from the space, such as a television or a to-do list, that have nothing to do with work.
- Make sure family members know when you are in the office, you are “on the clock.”
Setting Up Your Home Office Infrastructure
Your home office infrastructure is the functional element that makes working at home possible. Naturally, the specifics of what equipment you need will vary depending on the type of work that you do. For example, if you work remotely for a call center, you may need a good-quality headset to answer calls hands-free. At the minimum, you may need:
- A computer system or laptop capable of handling everyday tasks
- A stable, high-speed internet connection with a bandwidth that can handle the work you do
- A computer-incorporated or freestanding digital camera for remote meetings and conferences
Adding Comfort and Inspiration to Your Workspace
Your home office may be a space for getting work done. However, the beauty of working from home is you can also transform your office space to hold the decorative items and personal touches that make you happy. Consider items that make you feel at ease and comfortable, such as live plants, family photos, essential oil diffusers, or even artwork for the walls.
Get Help with the Transition So You Can Focus on the Important Things
As you transition from working in the office to working remotely, be sure to work with a residential moving company to handle the move. Reach out to discuss your needs and get a moving quote.