Working from home? Top five tips to setting up your workstation

As big a change as it was for employers, it was equally as big for employees, with many kitchen tables and spare rooms being quickly turned into ad hoc offices for what we all assumed would only be a few weeks. That few weeks has turned into two years and counting. While the pandemic might have been the impetus for a lot of companies to switch to remote working, its already something that had been a growing trend, and many are now happily working in a hybrid model.

A well set up workstation is the key to effective hybrid working, especially on those days of the week when we’re working from home. It should be in a quiet place; it should be comfortable with appropriate lighting and most importantly it should be comfortable.

• The key factor in setting up a long-term remote office is location. You should pick a quiet area away from distractions. Ideally another room away from everyone, but not everyone has that space. So set up a Do Not Disturb area that will allow you to concentrate in peace.
• Make sure you have the right equipment. You need more than just a laptop. It should go without saying but make sure your desk or table is the right size for your equipment and for you, get an ergonomic chair and mouse/keyboard if applicable and obviously, good Wi-Fi. Many people have laptop risers and most people like to work off two screens.
• Have the correct lighting, not only so you can see the screen but also to protect your eyes from undue strain. Natural light is important not only for productivity but also for your mental and physical wellbeing.
• Temperature – the bane of every office. Someone is always too hot or too cold but when it’s just you at home, the temperature can always be just right. The ideal temperature is around 25 degrees for optimal productivity. Too hot and you can start to fell ill and get a headache, too cold and you become lethargic and more susceptible to colds and flus.
• Keep an eye on the time. It’s so easy to get caught up in work that you forget to take a break. In fact, remote workers are more likely than others to work longer hours. It might be worth setting an alarm to remind you to leave your desk for lunch and take small breaks. This increases productivity and creativity as well as reducing fatigue.

There are many other factors that can contribute to a comfortable working environment, but these five tips are a great place to start.