Whether you’re working from home full time or making the most of flexible hours, you’re going to need a space that’s dedicated to work. Having a home office is a great way to increase your productivity. While you can work from anywhere provided you have a flat surface and internet connection, your home office is the key to getting work done without any distractions and ensuring you have more time to spend doing the things you love.
Just because you’re working from home, it doesn’t mean that you should be less productive. In fact, with the right setup, working remotely can be more productive and more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll share some ideas for how you can increase productivity in your home office, ensuring that you get your work completed as efficiently as possible.
Stable and High Speed Internet
For the vast majority of remote work, you’ll need to have a good internet connection. There may be some jobs which allow you to work without having access to online portals, emails and other services. However, you’ll find that the internet is an excellent tool for work and productivity when used correctly. First though, you’ll need to make sure you have the right connection.
The internet works best when using the right cables, and for the fastest possible speeds, fibre optic cable is by far the best. These cables transmit data using light signals rather than the electrical signals used by traditional copper wiring. This makes them capable of sending and receiving far larger quantities of data in the same period of time, improving the speed of the connection and allowing for faster downloads and uploads.
When you’re completing work online, being able to access files and load web pages quickly is very important. Each small delay soon adds up over the course of the day, eating into your work hours and setting you behind schedule. Make sure you have a good connection and a quality router. Preferably, you’ll want to connect to your router with a wired connection, though WiFi is also acceptable if using a 5 GHz channel.
Suitable Furniture
When working from home, you might use your dining table or coffee table and an armchair or even sofa. While these might be passable, they’re not ideal for working from, and could impact your productivity as well as leading to health issues. Therefore, if you’re going to be spending a lot of time working in your home office, it makes sense to invest in some good quality furniture.
Your first port of call is a desk. Make sure your desk space has enough room for your devices, as well as any notebooks, documents and peripherals such as keyboard and mouse. If you’re worried about the effects of sitting for long periods, having a standing desk is a great option for staying healthy while at work. Keep your desk clear of any clutter and leave it organised at the end of each day. Clutter can lead to productivity issues, and may also make it difficult to find the things you need.
Aside from your desk, you’ll also need a good, ergonomic chair which provides the right support for your back. You don’t need to spend loads on a chair, but you should make sure it’s good quality and built to last. Even if you use a standing desk, having a chair as an option is good for when you need a bit of a rest. Make sure your monitors are set up to ensure you’re not straining your neck, and change the level of your chair if not.