Do you often work from home? Then it is important that you have the optimal home workspace. This is not only important for your (physical) health, but also for your work performance. There is, of course, a big difference between working at a company/employer's office and office work in a private environment. At the office, there are different potential distractions, furniture, and types of equipment. To help you work effectively at home, we have put together some tips for setting up your home office!
Tips for setting up a home office
When setting up a home office, there are many factors to consider. These include the exact environment, the use of furniture, accessories, style, and the proximity of noisy equipment. By following the tips below, you can work comfortably and with focus at home.
1. Find the perfect location
First and foremost, it is important to choose a good location for your workplace. Consider a separate workspace, such as the attic or a spare bedroom/hobby room. This way, you will not be disturbed by housemates or noisy household appliances, for example.
2. Ensure a good working posture
If you sit for long periods during the working day, your office chair should provide good support. An ergonomic office chair is the solution. These chairs ensure that you can adopt the perfect working posture. They are adjustable in various ways so that your body is well supported. It is not good to lean forward or backward, as this can cause physical complaints. Lean your back straight against the back support of the office chair.
In addition, it is good to alternate between sitting and standing, so that your muscles are regularly exercised and you do not sit in the same position for too long. Sit-stand desks offer the possibility to do your work both sitting and standing. And don't forget office accessories such as laptop stands and monitor arms, as these complete the requirements for a correct working posture.
3. A tidy workplace
Ensure peace and quiet with a tidy desk. When working from home, there is also the danger that clutter in the room will cause distractions. The less clutter around you, the less cluttered your work will be.
4. Don't make it (too) personal
The advantage of a home office is that you can decorate it entirely to your own taste. Photos of friends and family, that bright red color you love, flowers in all colors of the rainbow... A working environment where you feel comfortable is motivating. However, it is important to set boundaries. A wall full of your favorite photos or playing your favorite hits can actually cause you to lose concentration. Finding the right balance between decorating to your own style and creating a productive workplace is therefore crucial.
5. Avoid distractions at home
A daughter who constantly asks questions or turns the TV/radio up to full volume, the temptation of incoming social media notifications, etc. At home, there are often several factors that can distract you. Make sure these factors are minimized in advance, for example by taking fixed breaks and communicating this to family members, or temporarily turning off social media notifications and putting your (private) cell phone away. Make a daily to-do list so that you don't lose track of things in case of unexpected distractions.
6. Arrange for the appropriate equipment and connections
One of the most important aspects of setting up your home office is having a good internet connection. Digitize all current hanging files and folders at work and store them in the Cloud. This way, you can easily access them at home. When setting up a home office, people often use office supplies they already have, such as the printer they bought for printing a few private documents or that nice mood lamp that was already in the room. This can cause irritation while working: the printer prints slowly and only on one side, or the lamp does not provide sufficient lighting. High-quality work requires high-quality equipment. We offer an extensive range of printers/multifunctional devices and desk lamps from various leading brands.
7. Ensure a pleasant working environment
It is important that you can work comfortably at home all year round. Therefore, make sure you have good climate control in the room. Consider, for example, air conditioning, a fan, and/or a humidifier. Do you suffer from reflections on your screen? Then use sun blinds to prevent reflection.
Additional financial tip: take advantage of the tax-free allowance
If you are an official home worker (employer contract) and work from home at least one day a week, since 2013 you can receive €1,815 (including VAT) tax-free from your employer as a home office allowance. You can use this to set up your home office. This tax benefit may be paid out once every five years.
Home office essentials
To set up an ideal home office, you will need a few pieces of furniture and accessories. See below for everything you need for your home office:
Wout Monseurs specializes in office furnishings and creating the ideal workplace. We offer a wide range of furniture and accessories and provide expert advice. Would you like more information about the possibilities for furnishing your home office? Feel free to contact us!