Home (Work)

working from home

Since COVID, more and more people are setting up home offices so they can work remotely, either for convenience or necessity. I've moved my home office several times, trying to find that perfect spot where I can focus on work without being disconnected from the people I love. Here are some things I learned during my journey to creating a space that really works.

first try - born of necessity

When COVID forced everyone to work remotely, it was a mad rush to figure out how. My kids (then 9 and 13) were home, learning remotely; my wife was still going into her office (she was an essential worker); and I was in the middle of a really large project.

My first home office was a common experience for a lot of us: the dining room table. As workspaces go, you could do worse. It offered lots of natural light and a fireplace for those colder winter days. The downside? I shared it with my favorite people: my kids. Don't get me wrong, I love them, but sharing a workspace with kids who are on Zoom calls with their friends isn't ideal. The takeaway: Natural light rocks; sharing a workspace doesn't.

take two - at home with harry potter?

Eventually, I moved my home office away from the main activity to another common spot: a nook under the stairs. It had nothing the first spot had: no laughing or screaming children, no distractions, and absolutely no natural light to speak of. I had a wall for a view, and my only sources of light were a small task lamp and a sconce.

This is typical for a lot of people—just slap a desk where it fits. "It's work, right? It's not meant to be an oasis." It worked; it did what I needed, and I worked this way for a couple of years. However, it was borderline a horrible experience.

third try - sHARED SPACE AND SUNLIGHT

At some point, my wife developed a need to be able to work at home. Using my best efforts and learning from my mistakes creating my own office, we selected an underutilized, awkward space that never really worked well as a living area.

This new spot had everything I loved about the first space, plus it had the added benefit of a direct line to the kitchen, the family room (and a TV), and a spot for a nice cozy chair for reading. There was tons of natural light, and the southerner in me was grateful for the proximity to the thermostat.

I liked the space I created for my wife so much that, you guessed it, I kind of took it over. Since she only works from home on weekends and evenings for the most part, it was great. For me. The only downside was a lack of any privacy whatsoever. I spent many hours working to the sound of my son (by then 13) watching videos about Fortnite and Minecraft.

she kicked me out - and a kid leaves for college!

No, she didn’t kick me out of the house, just her office. The joke was on her, though. I already had a plan for the best home office ever: my favorite space in the house and the only one I have (almost) full control over—the Man Cave/Guest Bedroom!

Our house had a space that was kind of confusing when we bought it. There was a 14' x 24' room in the basement that screamed "Man Cave" to me, but honestly, it was a little too large for that, so we turned it into a Man Cave/Guest Bedroom.

When my oldest announced his imminent departure for college, I made a decision that would be one of the best ever. We would eliminate the guest bedroom, and his bedroom (when he’s not home) would serve for those very rare occasions when we need to accommodate a guest or two.

This would be the perfect spot for my own home office. It can be completely closed off from the rest of the house (the first office with a door!), has ample natural light, access to a TV, along with plenty of space for a desk and, if needed, two guest chairs. Also, somewhat uniquely, we have a second kitchen in our basement, so I'd have access to a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and anything else I might need to be comfortable.

Now I had a clean slate and could create a perfect workspace that really worked. The result is extremely satisfying. I love working in this space; it is the result of a lot of trial and error, and it makes me happy to be here.

Here’s what I’ve learned from my travels…

First and Foremost: Location, Location, Location

Sometimes you have no choice and you have to put your desk against a wall. My advice: don’t. It’s restrictive, claustrophobic, and somebody will sneak up on you when you have your headphones on and shoot you in the back with a Nerf gun. I know this for a fact.

Second: Natural Light is a Must

This one is simple but somewhat overlooked. FInd a location near a window. Place your desk in a way that you don't get screen glare from the window, and better yet, if you can position your desk so you have a view, go for it!

Third: Make the Space Yours

Surround yourself with things that make you happy. In my case, it’s obvious: I love all things Iron Man. If you have things in your home office that make you happy, you will be happier in that space. It doesn't have to be cluttered, just some nice things that make you smile and reflect your personality—and if your personality is cluttered, so be it!

I added a hook under the desk for my headphones, and there’s a cable connected to them for convenient charging. I am not a fan of clutter, so I bought some nifty cable management trays from IKEA that attach to the front. In fact, the desks are all IKEA, which offers good choices at good prices. The chair is from HON, and I took a risk buying it without sitting in it. I don't recommend that, but it worked out for me.

Fourth: Get Good Furniture

My desk is an electrically powered sit/stand desk. They aren't cheap, but it makes a difference during those long days to be able to stand up and use some muscles that don't rhyme with maximus. Get a good chair with lumbar support for those times when you are seated, and try to get one with armrests for arm support at the keyboard. Mine has a headrest, which is nice but completely unnecessary.

Fifth: Pay Attention to Lighting

When do you use your office? Daytime or evening work hours make a difference. I had to move some fixtures (easy due to the lay-in ceiling) to get better lighting for Zoom calls and for reading documents. Pay attention to the color temperature of the lighting. I prefer daylight (4000K) most of the time, but a warm white (3000K) is nice in the evening.

One option is smart lighting that allows you to change the color temperature depending on the situation. I use smart lighting a lot; if I forget to turn off the lights, “Alexa, turn off mancave lights” does the trick.

Sixth: Privacy

One major upgrade was the ability to close a door. I love my wife, my kids, my dog, and my cat, but sometimes I need to be able to take a call without hearing, well, my kids or my dog (the cat is basically mute). Now when I close the door, it’s a signal to everyone that I need to be able to focus (even the cat). When the door is open, I can hear laughter, interact with my family, and hear the dog bark when there’s a package delivery!

Finally: DATA!

Make sure your office location has good access to your Wi-Fi, or if possible, run a network cable to your location to ensure that the bandwidth isn’t being hogged by your kids playing video games or streaming Five Nights at Freddy’s.

Your decisions regarding the placement, design, and furniture of your home office will make or break your work-from-home experience. I try to work from home at least a few hours a week when I can. It’s a nice break from the normal day-to-day, and as an added bonus, nobody cares if I wear pajamas and cozy slippers!