OFFICE FROM HOME
Work life has changed dramatically from what it was five years ago. 2020, as all of us know, caused a huge ripple in what we called normal work life. Many offices have finally settled on their new policies of location of their employees: some have gone completely back in office, others are implementing a hybrid, and others have landed on a fully remote setting.
If you are in a hybrid or remote workforce, we have a post for you! Check out these tips below to create a home office that works for you, not only in form but also function!
Address Your Background: Although it might not be the way you originally set up your desk, a wall behind you is typically best for a video call backdrop. This is especially ideal if you live with other people and might have an accidental entry into the room of your video conference. It also allows for the rest of the room to not quite be at tidy as you’d prefer for your boss or client to see. Setting up your desk so that the back of your chair is against the wall also allows you to set up shelves, artwork, or a bookcase that can be staged, primed and beautiful. This way, even if you’re having a bad hair day, your video call backdrop will always look fresh. We recommend selecting solid color decor, nothing too patterned or bold that might come across unprofessional or distracting.
Lighting: Another important tidbit to consider is the lighting on your face. We are sure many of you have seen the ring light that social media influencers use to brighten their videos, and while this could be an option for your home office, we like to focus on some simple considerations for lighting control. If you have your home office set up next to a window, consider where that light will be shining in on you. Nothing is worse than having a half-glare face because that afternoon sunshine is extra shiny. Blackout shades or wall coverings can definitely help with this. If you’re trying out a new desk location, give it a day or two to see how the travel path of the sun affect your productivity. A glare on your screen for a few hours of the day also be quite the annoyance. Also, consider the general lighting in your room. A lamp to close to the camera or too close to a wall can provide some funky glare or shadows. Set up the light sources so that you have a nice ambient lighting, instead of a concentrated spotlight.
Organization Station: It can be a challenge to separate your work and home life when your office is in your living room - but one sure way to make it an eye-sore is to have piles of paper clutter, pens strewn about, and empty coffee mugs. It is better for your interior and your mental health to create a home for all of your office-related accessories. Have pens? Get a cute pen cup or drawer organizer to store them. Have paper? Find a filing system that works for you. When everything has a place, you can be efficient in your work and be successful in work/life boundaries and keeping your space looking pristine.
Technology: A common stressor of work-from-home life is getting that wifi to work correctly. When setting up your home office, consider your proximity to your wifi router, and the possibility to plug directly in. Also while you are at it, pay attention to how close your outlets are to your ideal desk position, consider cable management solutions and/or a power strip to accommodate all of your technology needs.
Positivity: Not having a coworker to easily bounce ideas or a joke off of can make for a long day. Consider adding some items to your desk that make you smile: a plant, quotes, photos… even though it is your home it can be helpful to have some belongings that bring a smile to your face to easily glance at throughout the day!
If you want to reset your home office space but need some guidance getting started, Space Stylists & Co. is here to help! Send us a message at info@spacestylistsco.com, we would love to make your home office the hot topic at the water cooler (or group chat)!
Cheers!
