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    Home Office Guide

    Your home is your sanctuary, your bubble, and so much more, but now it's also your office... As the global pandemic continues...

    • Ken Schwartz
    • June 1st, 2020
    • 6 min read

    Your home is your sanctuary, your bubble, and so much more, but now it's also your office...

    As the global pandemic continues to shape the new normal, there's one thing that we're beginning to embrace longterm: working from home. Whether you have a job that allowed a flexible working environment before or you're learning the ropes for the first time there are challenges that we've all grown to understand. 

    Global Workplace Analytics estimates that 56% of U.S. workers have jobs that are at least partially compatible with working remotely, and with companies like Twitter, JPMorgan, Facebook, Capital One, Amazon, Microsoft, Zillow, and more extending their work from home policies addressing challenges with solutions is necessary going forward. So, we've put together a guide to creating a home office space that fosters productivity and peace.

    The Basics

    Working from home full time doesn't mean working from your couch for 8 hours a day. It's important to invest in a desk and a supportive chair to help normalize your environment. Create an ergonomic space using this article to ensure you're comfortable.

    There's nothing more aggravating than having a slow internet connection, freezing on Zoom calls, or seeing that spinning loading wheel. Investing in a good router will help your days go smoothly. We recommend the Google Mesh Network. 

    Think about the technology you use at your office... Do you have multiple monitors? Do you have access to a printer or a headset? Try to mimic that set up at home to make you as comfortable and productive as possible, especially if this is a long term situation.

    Getting Creative

    Create boundaries 

    If your makeshift home office set up doesn't have a door, you'll need to create boundaries in other ways. Situate your desk to face a wall or window so that you're not able to see what's going on around you in the rest of the room. Share your meeting times with your family so that they know when they shouldn't disturb you. Mimic the feel of a cubicle by using an accordion room divider or buy a desk with a tall hutch to interrupt your line of sight.

    Get comfortable on camera

    We've found a way of moving face-to-face meetings online through Zoom, but that doesn't always mean that our backgrounds are meeting ready. If your home office doubles as your living room or bedroom you might want to consider downloading a free Zoom background that can turn your surroundings into anything from a board room to Seinfeld's living room. Find some free backgrounds here.

    Get into a routine

    Think about what you used to do at the office - you walked in, put your stuff down, said good morning to coworkers, and maybe made a cup of coffee all before settling in to get to work. Your morning routine might look a bit different now, but starting and ending your day doing the same thing each day can help your workday have a start and an end, something that's not always easy to come by while working from home. 

    Set up your office to compliment your routine. If you have a goal of adding time to read or journal into your day make sure that you leave a notebook and pen or your current read at your desk. Or if taking a true lunch break is important to you add it to your to-do list or set a timer on a clock to remind you. Eventually, your routine will become second nature but setting yourself up for success with what you do each day will greatly help.  

    A change of scenery

    While we wouldn't recommend working from your couch all of the time, sometimes it's a nice change of pace and can lead to increased productivity if used wisely. If you have a patio or outdoor space, taking your work outside for a little while each week can help you settle back into your workspace after. Similarly, setting up a few different options within your office will allow you to move around throughout the day. So if your space has room for a chair or small couch, that's a great way to create a peaceful space. Think about how you would work in the office: you walk around, sit in meetings, or work in a coworkers office - recreate that movement into your home office. 

    Embrace your work style

    Chances are that you didn't get much say in how your office was set up, right? You probably walked in on day one, were assigned a desk, and that's it. Creating a workspace at home gives you a chance to design an office that works for you. So before you go out and invest in office furniture or decor take the time to think about what would make your office yours. 

    For example, if you work best in complete silence you might want to consider partially soundproofing the room. If you are dialing into meetings all day, you should think about the orientation of your desk for the best lighting and investing in a comfortable headset with a microphone. Love watching the trees blow in the wind? Orient your set up to look out the window. Remember, this is your space to get creative in! 

    Focus on the design

    Similarly to the overall set up, the design is another aspect of the traditional office that you typically don't have much say in. Framed photos of your family, motivational quotes, plants, paint colors, and all other decor choices are in your hands so when you're designing your home office space make sure to consider what inspires you. 

    Be flexible

    Working from home presents challenges but it also has a lot of positive side effects. You'll spend less time commuting and you're able to control the space you're in, but you'll have the occasional interruption from the kids, a barking dog, Amazon deliveries, and more. If your office doesn't turn into exactly what you were hoping for or if it's not an office at all but rather a corner of your home, it's important to be flexible while working from home, especially while we're all getting used to this new normal. 

    Looking for more inspiration?

    Architectural Digest has you covered!

    Click Here

    Not ready to DIY?

    Find a home with space for an office.

    Start Here

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    About the author

    Ken Schwartz

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    Since 2008, I have been helping clients reach their goals, and doing so in the most professional fashion possible. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California at San Diego in 2008. After working in the field for a short time, I found my true calling in Real Estate. My ability to talk with people and problem solve made real estate a perfect fit for me. I obtained my Real Estate License in 2008 and have worked in the industry ever since. My previous experience includes Property Management and helping clients Buy or Sell their home. In 2012 I received my Real Estate Brokers license and have recently joined the team at CENTURY 21 Affiliated. When I'm not out selling homes, I love spending time with my wife and 4 french bulldogs. I also play in an adult baseball league, which helps fulfill my competitive nature. Having played baseball in high school, it is a great extension to my glory days. Thankfully San Diego has such great weather, we can play year round. My expertise in the San Diego market and the outstanding resources of CENTURY 21 Affiliated give my clients the satisfaction that I can provide them the best quality service out there. A Real Estate transaction can be a stressful time, but it doesn't have to be. We do everything we can to make it as smooth as possible, while delivering our clients the best value and helping to build their personal wealth.

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    Ken Schwartz Real Estate

    Ken Schwartz | CA DRE #01854235 | NMLS 2461429

    2020 Camino Del Rio N. Suite 800, San Diego CA 92108

    2020 Camino Del Rio N. Suite 800, San Diego CA 92108

    Call Us:

    858-500-2195

    Message Us:

    [email protected]

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