Transitioning to a remote working position can be an exciting prospect. No longer are days tarnished with the prospect of a rush-hour commute and tasks can be completed with a greater amount of independence, often within one’s own schedule too. While the trend of teleworking was originally prompted by necessity, its appeal now seems to be drawing employees and employers to adopt it as a permanent mode of operation.
For employees, however, a home office is required and this is a space that is both essential and requires a certain degree of consideration. Simply setting up one’s working day at the kitchen counter is not conducive to productivity or professionalism over the long term. Instead, an office space must be created with four essential considerations too.
Focus
The shared office spaces many employees will know have been designed with focus in mind. When establishing a space at home, residents must do the same. This means choosing a space that allows you to work without interruptions or distractions. Keep your office, for example, free from entertainment devices, such as televisions, and preferably in an isolated space, that is removed from potential interruptions from family and friends.
For some, finding such a room isn’t entirely possible, which is why outbuildings are becoming a more popular solution. Residents are finding log cabins for sale or converting their sheds, creating a distraction-free professional space in the garden.
Utility
Part of the reason our dining tables or sofas do not function well as a professional space is that they offer nothing of the utility needed. A professional space requires storage, for example. Documents and equipment should be readily accessible and with their own dedicated space so as to eliminate clutter. Other features of utility, such as plug sockets and printers, as well as a reliable internet access, should also be readily available to ensure that a resident is able to complete all professional tasks without issue.
Stylish
One might not associate a professional space with style but, in an age of video calls, one’s interior design becomes a point of representation. Casually designed spaces can evoke the sense of a casual approach to work, whereas a pristine and well-designed space, especially one that indicates a consideration for a professional appearance, can make a brilliant impression on coworkers and line managers alike.
Additionally, an interior design should suit your own personality since it is a space that you will be working within each day. Be sure to celebrate your own aesthetic taste and create a room that supports your happiness.
Enclosed
One of the most important aspects of working from home is to ensure a set divide between professional and personal space. If this is not sought, it is likely that professional tasks will find their way into your personal life, leading to emails being answered and stress being experienced outside of working hours. This is partly why outbuildings have become a great solution for the teleworking professional, since they allow for a working space to be separate, both literally and figuratively, from a personal living space.