Working from home is an adjustment many Canadians have had to make this year. Whether you’re sitting at your kitchen table or you have a dedicated room, every work from home space can be improved. From proper lighting to the right setup, here are 3 things you should incorporate into your work from home space.
1. Proper Lighting
Proper lighting is essential so you can see what you’re doing and focus on your work. If the room is too dark you may be inclined to take a couple minutes of shut-eye, and too bright a room will be distracting. Your best bet is to find a space that has both overhead and natural lighting. Try to avoid sitting with your back to a window as this can cause a glare on your screen. It will also make it nearly impossible for coworkers to be able to see you during a video call. For more tips on how to create a video-call-friendly room, check out this article. If you don’t have a good source of natural or overhead lighting, try to at least add a desk lamp to your space.
2. A Dedicated Surface
Just because it’s called a laptop doesn’t mean you have to work off your lap all the time. While working from the comfort of your couch is okay sometimes, having a dedicated surface is always better. Sitting at a table or countertop will make it easier for you to get into work-mode. This way you will have space to put your coffee, agenda or anything else you may use throughout the day. Trying to work off your lap or another soft surface like your bed just won’t work in the long run. Try finding a dedicated hard surface to work off of even if that’s a breakfast in bed tray.
3. Comfortable Seating
We all know how important a good office chair is. Now that you’re working from home, it’s just as important to invest in a good chair if you have the space. Even if you don’t have enough room for a full office set up, make sure you’re sitting on a comfortable kitchen or dining room chair. Something with back support is important. If your chair is hard, try adding a throw pillow to help cushion it. Remember, while working from home may be temporary, it should still be comfortable. Do what you need in order to be comfortable while sitting at your makeshift desk.
Whether you’ve been working from home for some time or are just getting adjusted, it’s important to have a good setup. Try to find a room with good lighting, a dedicated hard surface to work on and comfortable seating. While your space might not be perfect immediately, try incorporating these tips and see if it makes a difference. Do you have any work from home tips? Share them with us in the comments below.
