Quick Home Office Setup

Working from home can be challenging, especially if you don't have a dedicated office space. However, setting up a temporary home office is easier than you think. Here are some tips to help you create a productive and comfortable workspace:

- Find a dedicated workspace: Choose a quiet and private area, such as a spare bedroom or a den. If space is limited, select a designated workstation within a shared space, such as your dining room table.

- Get the right equipment: Ensure you have a simple desk, a comfortable chair, a computer or laptop, and essential office supplies within reach.

- Improve lighting: Natural lighting is ideal, so consider setting up your workspace near a window. If natural light is not an option, opt for full-spectrum cool white or daylight-coloured light bulbs to boost productivity.

- Minimise distractions: Choose an area away from the kitchen, kids' bedroom, or living room. Use noise-cancelling headphones to create a sense of privacy in shared spaces.

- Add some greenery: Plants can brighten up your workspace, improve air quality, and enhance your mood and productivity.

- Don't forget storage: Invest in a stylish credenza or a wooden cabinet to store old files and work-related items.

- Set up reliable internet: Ensure your internet connection is stable and fast, especially if you rely on phone and video calls for work.

Choose a quiet, private space away from distractions

When choosing a quiet, private space for your temporary home office, it's important to consider the level of distraction in the surrounding areas. Avoid setting up your workspace near the kitchen, children's bedrooms, or living areas where there is a lot of foot traffic. Instead, opt for a spare bedroom, master bedroom, or a quiet corner in the living room. If you have limited space, try to designate a specific workstation within a shared room, such as a dining room table, and use noise-cancelling headphones to create a sense of privacy.

It's also crucial to consider your family or roommate's needs. Defining your workspace will help you work without disturbing others and vice versa. If you have children, you may want to create your workspace in an area where you can supervise them while they play or study. A kitchen island can be a good solution in this case, providing both supervision and a sense of privacy. Alternatively, a bedroom workspace can offer more peace and quiet.

Another factor to consider is natural lighting. Access to natural light can improve your mood and productivity, so try to position your temporary home office near a window. This will also provide you with a view, giving your eyes a break from screen time and helping to reduce eye strain.

Remember, the key is to minimise distractions and create an environment that is conducive to focus and productivity. By choosing the right location for your temporary home office, you can enhance your productivity and create a more positive work-from-home experience.

Get the right equipment: desk, chair, computer, webcam, etc

The desk is the ultimate symbol of an office, and sitting up straight is better for your mood and productivity. A dedicated desk is ideal, but a kitchen or dining room table, eat-in kitchen counter, or any large, flat surface will work.

For the chair, adjustable office chairs are the best option for comfort and ergonomics. Choose a chair that offers the best support, and use pillows and other padding to make it work in the short term. If your feet can't touch the ground, stack some books or pillows underneath them to provide support.

A capable computer is key to maintaining productivity at home. If your workplace hasn't provided you with a laptop or other device, you may have to use your personal device. Laptops are built to be portable, but yours may be too small to handle the day-to-day activities required by your job. A second monitor that extends your laptop screen using an HDMI cable can be a huge productivity booster.

High-speed internet may also be necessary, especially if others in your household are also using the connection. You may need to temporarily boost your internet service plan.

A decent webcam and microphone are also essential for a smooth conference call experience.

Ensure good lighting, preferably natural light

Ensuring good lighting, preferably natural light, is essential when setting up a temporary home office. Natural light is known to improve mood and productivity, which is especially beneficial when you're practising physical distancing and limiting your time outdoors.

Try to position your workspace near a window or another source of natural light exposure. If your temporary home office doesn't have access to natural light, consider replacing your lightbulbs with full-spectrum cool white or daylight-coloured bulbs to promote productivity.

Combine natural and overhead lighting with task lighting to make it easier to concentrate. Position yourself so that any windows are located to the side of your computer screen to avoid glare and visibility issues.

If you're struggling to find a space with good lighting, remember that you don't need a lot of space if you're only using a laptop. Look for corners next to windows, as they offer plenty of natural light. Alternatively, you can use floating shelves, a slim table, or a bar stool next to a kitchen worktop to create a makeshift workstation.

Set up a strong, stable internet connection

Setting up a strong and stable internet connection is essential for a temporary home office, especially if you are working with multiple devices or sharing the connection with others. Here are some tips to achieve that:

Choose the Right Internet Plan

The speed of your internet connection is directly linked to your internet plan. Most plans have a data cap, and once you reach that limit, your speed will decrease. If your connection is unstable or slow, check your data plan and see if you have reached the cap or if your plan has expired. Upgrading to a higher-speed plan or one with a higher data cap may be necessary if you find yourself constantly running out of data.

Position Your Router Optimally

The placement of your router can significantly impact the stability and speed of your internet connection. Obstacles such as furniture, walls, and other physical objects can block or interfere with the Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, it is best to place your router in an open area, ideally in the middle of your house or on the floor, with minimal obstacles nearby. Keep the router away from devices like TVs and other electromagnetic devices, as their signals can cause interference. Additionally, try to avoid placing the router directly behind furniture or outer walls connected to the exterior of your home, as this can weaken the signal.

Move Closer to the Router

If your router is positioned optimally, the next step is to move your workspace closer to it. The further away you are, the weaker the signal will be. Moving closer to the router will allow you to achieve better internet upload and download speeds. Additionally, try to ensure that the router is on the same floor as the devices you use most often, as installing it on a different floor may result in slower speeds.

Restart Your Router Regularly

Routers can experience diminished power and radio frequency interference when working for extended periods, leading to erratic internet speeds. A simple fix for this issue is to restart or "power cycle" your router. This process allows the router to reset and find the best channel to avoid dead spots, improving the stability and speed of your connection. You can restart your router as often as needed, and it is recommended to do so at least once or twice to see improvements.

Disconnect Unused Devices

Each Wi-Fi connection has a limited device capacity, and every device connected to the router consumes a portion of the internet bandwidth, even when idle. To maximize your bandwidth and network connection, disconnect and shut down any devices that are not in use. This will ensure that the full capacity of your connection is dedicated to the devices you are actively using, resulting in improved speed and stability.

Use Wired Connections

While Wi-Fi offers convenience, a wired connection using an Ethernet cable can provide a faster and more stable connection. If you require the fastest and most reliable connection for specific devices, such as a gaming console or desktop computer, consider using a wired connection. This eliminates potential interference from other devices and ensures a consistent connection.

Upgrade Your Router

If you have an old or outdated router, it may not be able to provide the speed and stability you need, especially if you have a large home or multiple devices in use simultaneously. Routers generally have a shelf life of around three to four years, after which their performance may start to decline. Upgrading to a newer model, especially one with mesh network capabilities, can significantly improve your connection's speed and stability.

Use a Wi-Fi Extender or Booster

If you have a newer router in good condition and do not want to replace it, consider investing in a Wi-Fi extender or booster. These devices can be installed to extend the range of your existing Wi-Fi signals, effectively eliminating dead spots and increasing the signal range. They provide better speed and a more stable internet experience, ensuring your temporary home office runs smoothly.

Add some greenery to brighten up the space

Adding greenery to your home office is a great way to brighten up the space, making it feel fresh and calm. Plants are an inexpensive way to add colour and character to your home office, and they can even purify the air. If you're working with a small space, consider hanging plants or placing potted plants on shelves. You can also opt for low-maintenance plants like succulents, which can be planted in a personalised photo mug. Not only will this add a touch of nature to your workspace, but you can also use the mug later when you return to your regular office.

If you're looking for more options, try hanging a chandelier with vines or placing small potted plants on your desk. You can also create a vertical garden on a blank wall using hanging planters or wall-mounted shelves. If you have a bit more space, consider adding a larger plant, like a fiddle leaf fig or a rubber tree, to create a statement in your home office.

When choosing plants for your home office, opt for varieties that don't require too much attention. This is especially important if you're known for neglecting your plants! Also, make sure to choose pet-friendly options if you have furry friends who like to spend time in your office.

In addition to improving the aesthetics of your home office, studies have shown that workers are 15% more productive in places that contain indoor plants. So, adding some greenery to your space can not only make it look nicer but can also boost your productivity.

Frequently asked questions