How to Make Your Home Office As Efficient As Your Old One

 

Is there anything more exciting than finally being able to live out the dream of being able to work from home?  You may have had a few remote days here and there, but now you’re officially going to be working out of your house fulltime.  It’s everything you’ve ever wanted professionally, but you’re still a little worried about how you’re going to handle the transition.

The easiest way to work from home the right way is to make clear designations between work time and home time, and most people find that it’s easier to do that when they have a home office.  A home office will be you’re little work oasis, and should be a place where you can be productive and shut out some of the distractions that come from working at home. If you’re going to take your new home office seriously, there are a few things it should have.

Privacy

It can be easy to get distracted when you’re working from home, so having a computer desk set up in the family room may not be the best way to stay productive.  If you’re going to have a home office, it should be in an area where you can have peace and quiet.  Look into converting your spare bedroom into a home office or even using the basement.

A private phone line

You may do most of your calls over your cell phone, but if you want your home office to feel authentic you should consider getting a separate phone line. The house line can get easily tied up if someone is home during the day, and you’re going to want to ensure that your clients or supervisors can get in contact with you ASAP in case of an emergency. If you’re too used to working from your mobile phone, you should invest in a separate cell number for work.

A network router

If you work from home, it’s safe to assume that you use the internet a lot to get things done. A weak router signal may be a minor inconvenience when you’re online for fun, but it can be a big problem when you’re relying on it for work. Some people have found that using a network router can make their online connections more reliable. A simple wireless network router that’s kept in your office can ensure that you always have a strong signal.

Office supplies

Do you really want to run to Staples every time you need an envelope? When so much of your work is done online, you can forget that you’ll have a need for office supplies. Simple things like envelopes, an automatic mail opener, stamps, and even thumbtacks should be in every office.