5 ways to set up the perfect work-from-home environment

For a lot of people, working from home is the dream — but how do you set up the perfect home working environment to make sure you avoid home distractions and create a productive environment?

While working from home certainly has its many benefits, it can also mean failing to separate your home life from your working life, which is why an effective home working environment is key to keeping your mind on the job.

Benefits of Working from Home

• Cancel out a long or stressful commute
• More easily have a healthy eating and drinking schedule
• More freedom and flexibility
• No pressure to dress up for work
• Avoid a hectic office or work environment

5 Ways to Set Up Your Home Working Environment

1. Choose the Right Working Spot

Ideally, you may have a spare bedroom or spare room to transform into a home office and close the door to any other distractions. This isn’t always possible, though, depending on your home situation, so finding whichever home working spot works best for you is important.

When thinking about the right spot, consider:

• Natural light. This is a huge booster for positive mental health and a healthy source of light to prevent eyestrain. Therefore, positioning yourself near a window is a great idea.
• Privacy from others. If your working schedule means you’ll still be doing your job when others are home, such as a partner or children, choosing the right spot can mean minimizing that distraction. Working in the living room, for example, might not work if it’s the central hub of the house.

2. Invest in All Necessary Equipment

While working within an office or other work environment means everything will be provided for you, this changes when you’re working from home. You’re suddenly faced with the need for a working computer, fast internet, and other key work items to ensure you can do your job.

It may be that there are some essentials that you need right away, such as a new computer or desk, to work from home effectively, but you may not have prepared financially for it (such as needing to work from home in light of COVID or other emergencies). If this is the case, you may benefit from an online loan to ensure you have everything you need to work from home.

3. Stay Connected

Working from home can leave you feeling more isolated and needs conscious effort to stay connected. Regular updates with others can be key, so it’s always beneficial to have good technology, which can help you stay in communication. For example, a good smartphone or tablet which allows for video calling means you can still conduct meetings or conversations when you need to.

4. Choose a Good Seat

Perching on a kitchen stool or sitting on a hard dining chair is no good when you need to work all day, every day. Buying a comfortable and supportive working chair will be an investment you won’t regret.

5. Use Noise Cancelling Headphones

If you can’t avoid others in the house, or if the area where you live is particularly noisy, noise-canceling headphones can be a huge help for focus. Brands like Bose or Sony offer great options.

These five ideas will result in the perfect work-from-home environment for you.