The Best Way to Set Up a Home Office for a Productive Work Day

For most of us, productivity is something that relies on following a familiar routine. In normal circumstances, this usually means getting up, having breakfast and getting dressed for work, and then driving or commuting into the office. Doing all these things in the same order every day helps your mind get into “work mode” and prepares you for the day ahead. 

When you first begin working from home, it’s easy to forget about this, snooze your alarm, and roll out of bed 2 minutes before you’re meant to clock on - not exactly productive behaviour!

While setting up your home office, find a space in the house that’s quiet and has minimal foot traffic. It may be tempting to set up your home office in the living room, but you’ll regret it almost immediately: Between housemates watching TV, kids playing, and people walking around you, it can be hard to tick things off your to-do list.

This is a particularly important point for anyone who has to dial into video calls via Zoom or other applications. In this case, look for a place that’s quiet, well-lit, and clean and tidy, all of which can help you maintain a sense of professionalism. 

Top Tip: While you may be able to shoot off the first emails of the day from the comfort of your bed or couch, aim to spend most of it in an ergonomic desk chair with proper back support.

One of the downsides of working from home is that the line between work and personal time can become blurred, making it easy to get lost in your work. On top of this, it’s normal to feel that you want to do more work than normal to prove to your boss that you can still work effectively from home.

In spite of this, remember to short breaks at regular intervals to avoid burning out. Have a quick, healthy snack and glass of water or go for a walk around the block if the weather is good: Both of these measures will help fight fatigue and keep your mind fresh, meaning you can get through your work more quickly.

When you’re not working in the same space, it’s easy to become disconnected from your colleagues and lose the rapport you’ve spent time developing.

To combat this, set aside a few minutes of your day to shoot off a friendly email to say hello or run an idea past them. This will show your co-workers that you’re thinking about them, help recreate the team atmosphere of a physical office, and reaffirm your friendship. Your message doesn’t necessarily have to be work-related, either. Sharing a topical meme or amusing link is a great ice breaker and also an easy way to spread joy.

Like any other workspace, your home office should include all the equipment you need to get your job done at the highest possible quality. If you’re missing a piece of gear, don’t be afraid to ask your employer if this is something they may be able to provide for you. After all, your productivity is in their interest, too.

Equipment is particularly important if you’re someone who regularly dials into video conference calls via Zoom or another platform. In addition to choosing a quiet, tidy part of the house, it’s worth considering some basic video conferencing equipment.  

As a minimum, we recommend:

• A phone mount or tripod that will ensure shake-free footage on the call and keep your hands free to take notes.
• An external microphone to ensure your ideas are heard clearly and with minimal background noise. If the built-in mic of your phone or camera isn't doing the trick, an external mic is a real game-changer.
• A portable LED light to illuminate your screen and ensure you can be seen clearly. A simpleLED video light can be positioned to the side of your camera, illuminating your face and providing enough light to limit image noise.