Making Your Limited Home Office Space Functional
If you now find yourself working from home on a permanent basis as a result of the pandemic, you are not alone. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a business or working remotely for your employer, working remotely during a pandemic is a different ball game than working remotely when it’s not a pandemic. I work full-time as a Program Manager and started working from home in March. Due to my naivete, I believed that we would be back in the office by June. Nope! June came and went and it looks like working remotely will continue to take place well into 2021. So, making your designated home workspace feel more effective is a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success and feeling less stressed.
*This is a collaborative post but my authentic perspective is represented throughout the post.*
Utilize the Walls
If you do not have the space for bulky furniture, why not use the walls to your advantage. This could mean installing a flat-screen TV to use for video conferencing, or a board for writing down ideas and tracking your workflow. I always encourage clients to maximize their vertical space, if they have the ability to do so. So, using hooks or adhesive tape that won’t damage your walls (be sure to read the instructions carefully) to put up shelving to store office supplies and more can be really useful.
Currently, my office nook is set up in a corner of my bedroom but I also made sure to add pieces of home decor to the space to make it lively. Just because I am working doesn’t mean that I can’t make the space fun and bright!
Invest In Portable Products
Now that majority of the workforce is working remotely there has been an uptick in Wi-Fi usage. As a result, Wi-Fi can sometimes go out. In addition, I’ve been using my laptop for work as I can log into my network’s system via a VPN. But my laptop was unable to withstand the long hours that I worked on it, Mon.-Fri. for 8 hours so my battery ended up burning out on me. Therefore, I had to purchase a new battery. So, it’s important to take some time to stock up on back-up and portable products. It might also be best to shop for a new laptop or tablet which you can discover the best ones here. The latest gadgets have the same capabilities as desktops, ensuring good productivity levels. You may also want to invest in portable Wi-Fi hot-spots which will allow you to use your own secured Wi-Fi when working remotely in a public space. Sometimes the Wi-Fi can run slow if there are too many people using the network.
Aside from aiding your bid for a more organized home office, those items are ideal for working outside of the home too.
Think About Storage
Effective storage can make smaller rooms feel much larger while also saving you valuable time. Therefore, finding a suitable way to manage paperwork is a responsibility you must not ignore. Lost paperwork and messy worktops could result in lost data and disrupted workflows.
In addition to storage for organizational needs, you should consider security. Investing in a safe is particularly vital if you regularly have visitors or if you work with important documents or client data that needs to be kept protected. As I mentioned, there may be times that you have to work in a public setting, so consider using expandable file folders, binders, and other storage options when you may have to transport documents on the go.
Use Cloud Storage
Hard copies of some documents are almost essential. However, cloud storage can keep many documents safe, secure, and in convenient locations. Learn more about how it will transform your approach to work. I work on a team of 3 people so it’s easy to utilize Microsoft Teams to collaborate and share documents as well as chat with team members. It’s also great to easily access documents when needed.
Look For Extra Space
Making structural changes may seem a little excessive. In truth, it may be necessary if you will be working from home long into 2021. While extending the current home office is an option, you may want to think about an attic conversion or carving out a space to create an office nook, like I have done. The office nook provides a place to shut yourself away from personal matters and focus on work.
Our lives have forever changed but I like to remain optimistic. So, I hope that these tips that I shared with you are helpful and that you will be intentional in setting up a functional, organized space that allows you to produce quality work.
