A place to call… work

A dedicated workspace in your home helps you set aside household distractions and focus on work.

Some distractions may be tempting pleasures like binge TV or fridge raids for snacks, while others may be more mundane and involve chores like pegging out the washing.

Considering how 2020 has panned out, a sophisticated space for a home office may now be regarded more of a necessity than previously. More people experienced working from home and found they preferred its convenience. It is something buyers might be more conscious of in the future.

Whether your home office setup is a space you share with school age children, where you run your company, work for an employer or run your household, you will benefit from a planned space.

Having a clean and inspiring workspace will help you to complete tasks more efficiently and greet each new workday with enthusiasm. In any workplace, you should have an environment that is, essentially, safe for work.

You need optimal lighting for reading and looking at screens, the right height desk, a chair with an adjustable height and back, and possibly multiple screen stands and screens.

A home office set-up is more than simply an office chair and desk; and it really should be more than a kitchen bench, dining table, a bed or couch.

Ultimately, the most important component of a home office is its boundaries, even more important than location. You want the freedom to work at your own pace while also being part of the household.

On average, it takes over 23 minutes to get back on track after being interrupted, so it is critical to set those boundaries and set aside clear working hours for yourself.

Home offices can take many forms. Here are a few ideas.

An office with a minimalist design keeps distractions away and the mind focused on the task at hand. For a space-saving study think about a drop-front desk.This is true minimalism in the home office area.

A landing may become a comfortable home office in a creative use of home spaces. Add inspired décors like an interesting rug and lighting to give the space definition.

Turn a spacious closet into a snug home office; or a loft or attic might be just the spot for a dedicated and more spacious workspace.

Multi workstations promote respect for privacy by providing a separate work area, storage space, and office equipment for each household member. Computer or laptop Monitor High-speed internet access A good chair Adequate lighting A telephone and/or VoIP (You might not need a traditional landline telephone with the availability of mobile phones and VoIP technology) Software Network router (Not always required but can be necessary if you have more than one computer that requires internet access. Consider a wireless router.) Surge protector Printer or multipurpose machine (scan, fax and copy) External drive or personal server (Back up to cloud-based backup services) Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides backup power for a limited time in case the electricity goes out A filing cabinet (even if it is your aim to go paperless) Storage (for pens, sticky notes, paper, folders, ink, business cards, and other supplies) Fire-safe box to protect important business paperwork Paper shredder

THE ERGONOMIC WORKSTATION

• Ankles, knees, hips and elbows should all be at a 90-degree angle. • Screens should be straight in front of you when your back and neck is straight, with your eyes looking in the top two thirds of the screen. If you are working from a desktop computer, this can be corrected using a computer stand or some large books. If you use a laptop for long periods of time, use a separate full-sized keyboard, mouse and monitor. • Set up equipment close to power outlets and run all cords through a desk grommet, which hides them underneath your desk. Use wireless where possible. • Bright, natural light is best. Reduce the glare and shadowing on the screen. • Get up and move around, ideally once every half an hour.