How to Create a Home Office
Since the pandemic, many people have transitioned into working from home. If your office has “moved home”, OFab has some tips to help you get started.
Whether working from an office or your home, you will need a few important things to get started.
First you will need some organization tools in order to implement a functional work space at home:
Graduated sorter (to separate the importance of “to do” papers)
Shoe box sized bins to contain supplies
Rolling 3 tier cart to use as a mobile office
Clear envelopes with velcro closures to keep papers together
Once you have the right equipment, it’s time to set up your new work space.
1. If you don’t have a desk, you can use a tray, large cutting board, or a lap desk. You can also keep all of your most needed papers, supplies, and electronics on the tray so you can move it wherever you need to, in a hurry. This is the perfect “mobile office”!
2. Sit in an upright chair at an ottoman, side table, or TV tray to create a desk area. To be the most productive, sitting upright with your feet on the ground helps create that “productive” feeling. Working from your bed or with your feet up may not perpetuate a focused mindset.
3. Keep all work related tools/paperwork in it’s own bin or box, or even better, a 3 tiered rolling cart. One can have different bins or boxes for each grouping of work that needs to be done. This way you can easily move about the house but not lose anything important.
4. Create a separation within a room. Use a folding screen, plants, or a curtain to use as a partition. Partitions are also good to hide your work from yourself so you make sure to stop working at some point.
5. Clear off surfaces or counters that normally aren’t used as a desk. A kitchen counter or bar, a shelf in a bookcase, or a sofa table can be converted to a makeshift desk space. Get creative and productive!
Setting up a home office doesn’t have to be daunting. Use these tips and you’ll be off to a great start.