Carve out Work Space

Whenever Possible Create Separation

Remote workers agree that the key to perfect work-life balance is to separate life from work by making sure that your home office space is for work and your bedroom and living room are places where you want to live. If possible select a place where you have room to spread out your work materials and leave them out the entire day. Creating this separation may not be easy. You may have space limitations, a family, or share workspace with a spouse, which must be factored into your plans and routine.

You can create a work zone that is separated from living space with a privacy screen, a backless shelf, a rolling storage cart, or an arrangement of plants.

People have gotten creative with converting a closet, shed, or portion of a garage into an office. They incorporate a privacy screen, backless shelf, rolling cart or large plant in their living space to designate a work zone. They minimize the office clutter by using clever storage solutions like ottomans, armoires, or stacking decorative boxes or antique suitcases.

Working from home takes many forms. If you live alone and all your meetings are virtual, you have fewer limitations. If you have a roommate and require space for occasional meetings with clients or to work on projects with a team, you may need to devise a productive meeting space that is not too personal or compromised by a roommate’s routine.

It may take a bit of trial and error to figure out what area of your home is most conducive to getting work done.

Home Office Essentials.

The majority of our digital nomads agree that seven things are fundamental when setting up office space:

Have the essential tools

Choose ergonomics and comfort

Have good lighting.

Banish clutter with good storage and organization

Ideally, your space should be free of distractions

Evaluate your workspace and make adjustments

Check out coworking spaces for flexibility, connection with the business community, professional development, sparking new ideas, collaborative meetings, and a relaxed place to focus, or meet other digital nomads.

Set Up an Efficient and Inspiring Home Office

There is plenty of advice on investing in various work tools. Some are tools of your trade and necessary. Check what things your company will provide and pay for. Then determine what you can afford.

Collaboration Tools/Software for Remote use - test everything before you officially move your work online, you should make sure these technologies work. You may want to try out a few different setups to ensure the person on the other end of the call can see you easily.

Cyber Safe Software - practicing good security habits is key to protecting you and your clients or the company that employs you.

An efficient office includes:

Computer, monitor and printer that meet your needs
Strong Wi-Fi connection
Invest in a power strip to plug into your outlet for maximum coverage
Desk or writing table and ergonomic chair
Adequate lighting – opt for natural light or consider obtaining daylight bulbs that are designed to replicate natural daylight. Don’t forget curtains or blinds for shading your space
Noise-canceling headphones
Calendar, whiteboard/chalkboard/notice board
Notepad and pens for jotting down quick thoughts
Filing cabinet/organization system/storage/bookcase to keep clutter to a minimum
Temperature control , fan for air circulation or air conditioning
Reliable cell phone for business only

Inspiring or calming elements:

Plants, art, or other elements that stimulate your genius, or soothe you or bring your office to life.
Music, playlists
Access to outdoors, fresh air, leisure activity (hobby, reading) for activity breaks
Proximity to coffee maker, fridge or snacks
A designated and separate place to eat meals

Consider these enhancements:

Adjustable laptop stand
Adjustable desk-riser which converts any surface into a standing desk
Standing mat
Dual monitors
Use a white noise app, white noise machine
Privacy screen
Wrap up your cables or organize them in a cable box with clips so you won’t end up tripping or rolling over them with your chair. With no messy cords spilling out from behind your desk your room will look chic.

Choose a Great Office Chair - Go for Ergonomics and Comfort

This may be repetitious, but it is serious advice from the pros of remote work. Be kind to your shoulders, neck, and back! Get a good quality chair, desk, and laptop stand. These are items you will utilize the entire workday so aim for features that offer comfort and ergonomics.

Choose a chair that supports your spinal curves and has ergonomic arm rests – good lumbar support to maintain spinal alignment and keep your legs at a 90 degree angle. Ideally, the chair should be padded for comfort and of adjustable height to fit your body size and also accommodate different desk heights. If possible, choose one that fits in with the aesthetics of your décor. It’s nice if it fits under the desk surface when it’s pushed in, especially if you have space issues. When choosing, adjust the height of your chair so that your feet rest flat on the floor or on a footrest and your thighs are parallel to the floor. Adjust armrests so your arms gently rest on them with your shoulders relaxed. Some employers view ergonomics as a serious investment business and provide for this in a remote work budget. If your company is switching to remote, your employer might consider the option of allowing you to take your ergonomic office chair home.

A good laptop stand adjusts the level of your laptop between 6 and 12 inches which is better for your neck no matter the height of the desk surface you use. A good one folds down for travel or storage.

The kitchen counter or dining room table may function as a workstation, if you never need those surfaces for living the rest of your life. Consider if you or a family member could trip over cords and wires. Will you eventually suffer from neck or back strain? Pick a desk or writing table that is an appropriate height for you or is adjustable for sitting or standing so you can avoid staying sedentary for too long.

Choose a View or Inspirational Feature

A home office set-up with natural light and the view to go along with it can be inspiring. When that isn't possible, you can bring the outdoors closer with house plants or a living wall. Your favourite art work can be energizing, too. When you have space and option of two work zones, create one zone for deep work and one for phone calls, meetings, or contemplation.

Get Creative with Storage when Space is Limited

You have sensitive documents to protect. You probably want the tools of your trade handy. Yet, you also need space to spread out when necessary. Good storage - clever storage - can make a home office lookl organized and also much bigger. Make the most of wall space for shelving to get clutter off the floor. A welll-chosen shelving solution, is the perfect way to organize documents, store office equipment as well as to showcase keepsakes and create your home office personality and vibe.

When space is at a premium use your imagination. Use a storage ottoman, refit a nearby closet, or invest in a wall unit that includes desk, bookshelf, filing cabinet, equipment storage, and display case. (Several examples are shown on this page.)

Evaluate Your Workspace and Make Adjustments

Evaluate your workspace after your first day working from home.

Acknowledge how it went:

Did your Wi-Fi work consistently during your conference call?
Do you have a hand cramp from using a laptop mouse? Would buying a different mouse or external keyboard fix that?
Do you need a second monitor to mimic the setup you have in the office?
Were there distractions? What kinds? What changes can you make to minimize noise or interruptions?
What might you add or change to feel more energized.

Keep in mind that your home activities and work routine also influence how you utilize space and tools. Evaluate your work@home space and routine every week until you get the vibe just right.