7 Things to Consider if You Find Yourself Working From Home
A US Houzz contributor with over two decades of experience shares her tips on how to work from home during this time
Jeannie Matteucci
22 March 2020
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish spaces, smart lighting and a good decaf dry cappuccino.
Houzz Contributor. Home design writer and lifestyle reporter with a love for stylish... More
I’ve spent more than two decades working almost exclusively from home. During that time I’ve written about the home design and renovation industry for major newspapers, magazines and digital media. Apart from the occasional in-person editorial meetings and photo shoots, I’ve typed away from the comfort of my home.
When I say ‘home’, that means everything from a small city studio in San Francisco, USA, to a more spacious Victorian apartment in Californian wine country. I’ve had a simple desk in the corner of my bedroom, used a nook in my living room and also enjoyed a fully dedicated home office. Given ever-changing working environments, I find myself answering phone calls and emails from friends who are now working from home for the first time and looking for tips on how to be efficient and comfortable. If you are in a similar situation, here are my top tips.
When I say ‘home’, that means everything from a small city studio in San Francisco, USA, to a more spacious Victorian apartment in Californian wine country. I’ve had a simple desk in the corner of my bedroom, used a nook in my living room and also enjoyed a fully dedicated home office. Given ever-changing working environments, I find myself answering phone calls and emails from friends who are now working from home for the first time and looking for tips on how to be efficient and comfortable. If you are in a similar situation, here are my top tips.
1. Stake out your spot
If you normally work in an office setting and now find yourself working from home, you may be distracted by the ‘new’ surroundings. Everything from noisy delivery trucks on the street to the adorable puppy in your lap can take your mind off work. You need to pick a spot in your home with the fewest distractions, and where all the essentials (including power points and your internet modem) are close by. Modern wifi is a wonderful thing, but understand it can still be inconsistent in even the most tech-friendly neighbourhoods.
Also, try to find a spot near a window with some natural light so you don’t feel completely tucked away from the world. Think about storage, and try to keep work-only items grouped together. Even if you’re only working at home temporarily, buy a couple of boxes, baskets or containers for work-related documents and supplies. It’s always a good idea to have home-office basics handy, such as pens, paper, staples or paper clips. (I still sometimes find myself with only one working pen in my entire home! How does that happen?)
Working from home? Find an interior designer to help set up your home office
If you normally work in an office setting and now find yourself working from home, you may be distracted by the ‘new’ surroundings. Everything from noisy delivery trucks on the street to the adorable puppy in your lap can take your mind off work. You need to pick a spot in your home with the fewest distractions, and where all the essentials (including power points and your internet modem) are close by. Modern wifi is a wonderful thing, but understand it can still be inconsistent in even the most tech-friendly neighbourhoods.
Also, try to find a spot near a window with some natural light so you don’t feel completely tucked away from the world. Think about storage, and try to keep work-only items grouped together. Even if you’re only working at home temporarily, buy a couple of boxes, baskets or containers for work-related documents and supplies. It’s always a good idea to have home-office basics handy, such as pens, paper, staples or paper clips. (I still sometimes find myself with only one working pen in my entire home! How does that happen?)
Working from home? Find an interior designer to help set up your home office
2. Work first, run errands later
Even when you’re working from a home office, it helps to maintain a schedule or set work hours. While every worker and job is different, I definitely need to answer emails, schedule interviews, return calls and write copy early in the day. When I try to run errands in the morning and tell myself I’ll get work done in the afternoon, I end up doing dishes, watering plants, buying gifts online or finding some other not-so-legitimate excuse to avoid writing. Try to get work done early, before a family member or friend needs a favour or you start turning your attention to the grocery list.
I would also suggest not checking work emails after 8pm or not eating at your computer, but I have to be honest and say I break those rules all the time. (Deadlines, people!)
And make sure family and friends understand that just because you’re in your apartment or house, you’re still working. I want my elderly mother to be able to call me anytime, but I ask other family members and friends to respect my work hours and stick with the less-obtrusive email or text message for non-emergencies.
Even when you’re working from a home office, it helps to maintain a schedule or set work hours. While every worker and job is different, I definitely need to answer emails, schedule interviews, return calls and write copy early in the day. When I try to run errands in the morning and tell myself I’ll get work done in the afternoon, I end up doing dishes, watering plants, buying gifts online or finding some other not-so-legitimate excuse to avoid writing. Try to get work done early, before a family member or friend needs a favour or you start turning your attention to the grocery list.
I would also suggest not checking work emails after 8pm or not eating at your computer, but I have to be honest and say I break those rules all the time. (Deadlines, people!)
And make sure family and friends understand that just because you’re in your apartment or house, you’re still working. I want my elderly mother to be able to call me anytime, but I ask other family members and friends to respect my work hours and stick with the less-obtrusive email or text message for non-emergencies.
3. Think about your back, feet and shoulders
When I work on big projects and spend long hours in front of the laptop writing copy during a condensed period of time, my body tightens up. Pick a back-friendly, ergonomic chair if at all possible. I always make time for exercise (don’t forget to stretch) and prefer to stand while I type.
You can invest in a new standing desk, or create your own – a vintage desk with some type of stand on top can work in a pinch. Try to make time for a daily walk, especially if you don’t have an exercise routine you already incorporate into your day.
Keep These Dimensions in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
When I work on big projects and spend long hours in front of the laptop writing copy during a condensed period of time, my body tightens up. Pick a back-friendly, ergonomic chair if at all possible. I always make time for exercise (don’t forget to stretch) and prefer to stand while I type.
You can invest in a new standing desk, or create your own – a vintage desk with some type of stand on top can work in a pinch. Try to make time for a daily walk, especially if you don’t have an exercise routine you already incorporate into your day.
Keep These Dimensions in Mind When Planning a New Home Office
4. Make friends with your postal worker and delivery drivers
Take the time to let your local postal worker or delivery person in your neighbourhood know you’re now working from home if your job involves a lot of envelopes and packages. While all towns are different, I have found it helps when my local delivery person knows I’m working at home and sending and receiving envelopes and packages on a regular basis. I make a point to say hello and talk with my local drivers, but something as simple as leaving a note on your door explaining your situation often works.
I had to learn this lesson the hard way one day after I made a mad dash to the local post office wearing my shabby, she-must-work-at-home clothes trying to meet the afternoon deadline. Don’t be me.
Take the time to let your local postal worker or delivery person in your neighbourhood know you’re now working from home if your job involves a lot of envelopes and packages. While all towns are different, I have found it helps when my local delivery person knows I’m working at home and sending and receiving envelopes and packages on a regular basis. I make a point to say hello and talk with my local drivers, but something as simple as leaving a note on your door explaining your situation often works.
I had to learn this lesson the hard way one day after I made a mad dash to the local post office wearing my shabby, she-must-work-at-home clothes trying to meet the afternoon deadline. Don’t be me.
5. Pump the brakes with social media
Social media can be absolute poison if you don’t limit yourself. It’s good to stay on top of the news, but if you allow yourself to be sucked into endless posts, you might look up at the clock and discover you lost three or four hours of your working day.
I enjoy social media and participate for both personal and professional reasons, but I have learned to use it wisely. Here’s one example: I find myself on hold sometimes when making work calls, or stuck at my desk waiting for someone to return my message, so I’ll use that time to post a link to one of my latest stories or save posts that might help me for future stories.
That doesn’t mean you can’t laugh at someone’s funny online story, or post about your favourite sports team or TV show. Just try to limit the damage during work hours.
At Home With … Julia Atkinson From Studio Home
Social media can be absolute poison if you don’t limit yourself. It’s good to stay on top of the news, but if you allow yourself to be sucked into endless posts, you might look up at the clock and discover you lost three or four hours of your working day.
I enjoy social media and participate for both personal and professional reasons, but I have learned to use it wisely. Here’s one example: I find myself on hold sometimes when making work calls, or stuck at my desk waiting for someone to return my message, so I’ll use that time to post a link to one of my latest stories or save posts that might help me for future stories.
That doesn’t mean you can’t laugh at someone’s funny online story, or post about your favourite sports team or TV show. Just try to limit the damage during work hours.
At Home With … Julia Atkinson From Studio Home
6. Find someone who can help with technology issues
When you work in an office, you usually have a person or team dedicated to dealing with the technology issues that come up during the day. While I love working in digital media, I’m definitely not a computer expert. When I have issues with my laptop, internet connection or printer, I am fortunate enough to have a best friend who is a total computer whiz and also works in media.
She has done something professional tech types haven’t been able to do: given me confidence that I can handle some of the issues that crop up. But she’s also there when I need help. Try to plan ahead so you know you have someone to call when a work deadline is looming and you feel isolated at home.
When you work in an office, you usually have a person or team dedicated to dealing with the technology issues that come up during the day. While I love working in digital media, I’m definitely not a computer expert. When I have issues with my laptop, internet connection or printer, I am fortunate enough to have a best friend who is a total computer whiz and also works in media.
She has done something professional tech types haven’t been able to do: given me confidence that I can handle some of the issues that crop up. But she’s also there when I need help. Try to plan ahead so you know you have someone to call when a work deadline is looming and you feel isolated at home.
7. Finally, when you work at home you should, well, work
Working from home sounds easy (and there are definitely advantages), but you always must remember you’re working. Just because you’re not hopping into your car and heading to the office or taking a bus to work, you’re still trying to make a living and should be in work mode to get things done.
It helps to mentally make that leap and remember the bills need to be paid. Laundry can wait. That new recipe you want to try can wait.
If it assists your focus, take that morning shower, put on your ‘work’ clothes, then start that project of the day. I focus and write better in the morning hours, so I tend to take my shower later, after exercising and errands.
With some trial and error you can learn what works best for you and your specific job, and maybe even find a new way to enjoy your home.
Your turn
What are your top tips on working from home? Share your experiences in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation with our Houzz online community.
More
Need to improve the health of your home environment to create a productive and relaxing space? Here’s How to Create Healthy Habits at Home
Working from home sounds easy (and there are definitely advantages), but you always must remember you’re working. Just because you’re not hopping into your car and heading to the office or taking a bus to work, you’re still trying to make a living and should be in work mode to get things done.
It helps to mentally make that leap and remember the bills need to be paid. Laundry can wait. That new recipe you want to try can wait.
If it assists your focus, take that morning shower, put on your ‘work’ clothes, then start that project of the day. I focus and write better in the morning hours, so I tend to take my shower later, after exercising and errands.
With some trial and error you can learn what works best for you and your specific job, and maybe even find a new way to enjoy your home.
Your turn
What are your top tips on working from home? Share your experiences in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation with our Houzz online community.
More
Need to improve the health of your home environment to create a productive and relaxing space? Here’s How to Create Healthy Habits at Home
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I was home-schooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. A friend recently told me that I have an advantage in this whole sudden working from home thing... I didn't understand why... I like working in an office and seeing people.
Now I get what she was saying. I am used to the concept of using routine to create the work life balance. My mom did not let us do school in our PJs. Mom had a rule that we were to have 1) Made our bed 2) Gotten Dressed 3) brushed our hair 4) eaten breakfast and 5) brushed our teeth prior to 8:00am - at which time the formal school day started. She did let me do school in the Maple tree out back in the Spring sometimes (yes, about 15 feet up in the air balancing on a limb). The location that we worked changed based on time of year, our ages, and sometimes Dr. Appointments but she did not allow us to get creative with the time of day.
We learned early on that school could seep into (and detract from) all areas of life if we weren't careful to actually focus on it during the designated hours.
Great article. I too already work from home, but I must admit having the children home is allowing me to be more distracted, that and social media!!
Lighting and cable management would be my tip. I probably spent as much time designing lighting and cable management for my desk and hutch as I did on all the other design elements combined. I have a lot of tech on my desk and do lots of video conferencing, so this was really important for me.