While much of the working world has now returned to traditional office operations, countless working moms have continued in either flexible working setups or completely remote positions. After all, the ability to work from home is invaluable for moms who need to be available for things like school pick-ups or kid sick days at the drop of a hat.

A home office is a key part of any working setup of this nature. Unfortunately, you’re not an expert, and you don’t have anywhere near the same commercial construction glossary as the people who design and build professional office spaces for a living. Your home office may, therefore, fall short of being the ideal working space. Unless you consider the following ways to apply ‘in-office architecture’ to your home working setup. 

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# 1 – Minimize personal items

Most business offices allow for some personal photos or mascots around your desk area. But, it would be incredibly strange to walk into a commercial office and see a life-size blow-up photo of your kids on the wall or, worse, a half-eaten plate of their breakfast on your desk. Yet, many moms end up surrounded by precisely these additions while they attempt to work from home. In the long run, these extra snippets of family life can prove incredibly distracting and may look unprofessional if you have to conduct things like video meetings. Avoid this by sticking with the minimized personal items that you would have in any other office, such as perhaps one on-desk family photo, and a little teddy in the corner. Outside of that, try to keep your family life restricted to the rest of your house. 

# 2 – Consider office layout

Any commercial builder or architect will think hard about things like the practical and functional purpose of their office layouts. By comparison, you likely shoved your at-home desk on the first wall that you found. However, the benefits of thinking a little harder about office layout include increased screen visibility, a better-looking office overall, and even feng shui benefits such as improved organization and generally better energy. In particular, try not to have your back to your office door, and avoid putting your desk directly in front of a window. Either of these could help you to work more comfortably and easily. 

# 3 – Think health and safety

Health and safety is a primary concern for anyone designing or overseeing a professional office, but it’s something we often overlook in our home offices. This can result in unnecessary risks, and may also lead to health complaints in the long run. To avoid this, consider general office safety priorities, such as the proper organization of any active electrical cables, and even additions like an ergonomic office chair. That way, you can work comfortably, and keep your office generally safer than it would be otherwise. 

Working from home is wonderful, but it can be difficult to get your home office just right. Make that task easier by keeping these tips to hand. 

 

1 – Minimize personal items

Most business offices allow for some personal photos or mascots around your desk area. But, it would be incredibly strange to walk into a commercial office and see a life-size blow-up photo of your kids on the wall or, worse, a half-eaten plate of their breakfast on your desk. Yet, many moms end up surrounded by precisely these additions while they attempt to work from home. In the long run, these extra snippets of family life can prove incredibly distracting and may look unprofessional if you have to conduct things like video meetings. Avoid this by sticking with the minimized personal items that you would have in any other office, such as perhaps one on-desk family photo, and a little teddy in the corner. Outside of that, try to keep your family life restricted to the rest of your house. 

# 2 – Consider office layout

Any commercial builder or architect will think hard about things like the practical and functional purpose of their office layouts. By comparison, you likely shoved your at-home desk on the first wall that you found. However, the benefits of thinking a little harder about office layout include increased screen visibility, a better-looking office overall, and even feng shui benefits such as improved organization and generally better energy. In particular, try not to have your back to your office door, and avoid putting your desk directly in front of a window. Either of these could help you to work more comfortably and easily. 

# 3 – Think health and safety

Health and safety is a primary concern for anyone designing or overseeing a professional office, but it’s something we often overlook in our home offices. This can result in unnecessary risks, and may also lead to health complaints in the long run. To avoid this, consider general office safety priorities, such as the proper organization of any active electrical cables, and even additions like an ergonomic office chair. That way, you can work comfortably, and keep your office generally safer than it would be otherwise. 

Working from home is wonderful, but it can be difficult to get your home office just right. Make that task easier by keeping these tips to hand.