The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many businesses and individuals to rethink how they work. This has led to a huge rise in working from home – and it is even reported that this phenomenon is likely to continue even after the worst of the pandemic. 

This means, then, that many people will need to consider how they currently work from home. If you have a spare bedroom, it may be the case that this space could be more effectively used as a home office. Here we take a look at what you need to do transform your spare bedroom into a useful home office space. 

Create an environment suitable for work

It is important to remember that this may be your new regular place of work – not just somewhere that you might need to do a few days from every month. So this really is the time to ask yourself whether you are changing this room into a pure home office, or whether it will still need to function as a spare bedroom?

Ultimately, you need to create an environment that is suitable for you to work in. This could mean ridding the room of distractions such as a TV, or hobby items such as musical instruments. It is best to have a home office where you can really focus on your tasks, rather than somewhere that you are constantly reminded of home. 

Of course, this will depend on your needs and whether you have the space to have a room that is solely dedicated to being a home office. 

Rethink the decor

If you have had this room functioning as a spare bedroom from some time, it may be the case that the decor is not exactly ideal for a home office setup. It might seem like a small thing to deal with, but rethinking the paint colours and redecorating to achieve a more office-like environment can make a big difference. 

Remember that you are still going to need to speak with colleagues, managers, and clients and that it is best to have a professional background for these Zoom calls if you want to make the right impression. You might not think that redecorating the room should be a priority, but it is important to look professional. 

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Think about lightning

Getting the right light in your home office is important. And the first thing you need to think about with regards to this is natural light. You need to be able to have a good amount of natural light coming in, whilst also not suffering from glare on your screen. 

“Since the COVID-19 lockdown, we have seen a surge in demand for blinds for home office spaces,” says the team at Aquarius Blinds “being able to block out direct sunlight while still getting enough natural light into the room is prided by office designers, and so those creating their own working space at home are looking for the same thing”. 

It may also be the case that you will need to think about changing lightbulbs or rethinking your lighting solutions. Bedrooms often have softer light options – but in a home office you need a good amount of light in the room to ensure that your ensures aren’t being strained by a bright screen in a dim room. 

Get the right furniture for the job

It could be easy to rely on making do with pieces of furniture that you already own for your home office. But if this is going to be a permanent working solution for you, you will want to make sure that you can work properly and productively. This means feeling comfortable and having the right kind of storage options available to you.

Add plug sockets

It might be the case that you don’t have plug sockets in the right places to suit your home office. It could be a great idea to get someone in with electrical experience to fit new plug sockets in ideal locations for you. This can allow you to set up your home office in a way that is going to fit with your style of working. 

Consider health and safety in your office setup

Finally, it is vital that you consider the importance of health and safety in your home office setup. If you are going to be working here five days a week for several hours a day then it is up to you to ensure that you are going to be sitting in a comfortable position and avoiding putting excess stress on any part of your body.

In the workplace, business owners have a responsibility for the equipment you use and ensure you are given what you need to allow you to work comfortably. In your home office, this responsibility is passed on to you. This means that it is up to you to prevent work-related issues such as RSI and back pain.

This means purchasing an ergonomic chair and ensuring that you are not slouching over your desk.

Final thoughts

Remember that working from home looks like it could be something that is far more common moving forward, so it makes sense to kit out of your home office with the kind of equipment, furniture and furnishings that you would expect in a productive office environment. Working from your bed or your sofa is fine in the short-term, but if this is going to become a long-term commitment then it could be a great idea to invest now in a true office space.