How To Set Up A Makeshift Home Office For Flexible Working & Isolation

The world is currently in unprecedented territory and we can expect to see workplaces and schools moving to flexible working practices due to Covid 19 and the need for individuals to self-isolate in a bid to stay healthy. I have been working from home for a number of years so I am very used to this style of agile working. However, I will also probably have my husband (a teacher) and two older students at home too. Plus the tween and we will all need somewhere to work and continue schooling.

8 ways to create a flexible working environment

We have seen that many countries are practicing social distancing and this has seen individuals move from the office to working at home. This has led to more people discovering the need to have a home office. This sudden change to flexible working practices also leaves many people that had never intended to work from home scrambling to set up a makeshift home office. This can easily be done for most homes with a little creativity.

Find a quiet space

The best thing you can do when putting together a makeshift home office is to look for a space that has some quiet. For some people, this will be limited to top spaces like a spare room. Others may find a good fit in the family room or dining room. The main thing is to find a room you can close the door to if at all possible. Our challenge will be to find enough space for us all to have a work desk.

Use a flat space

A table is important even if you are working on a laptop, you need space to safely place the laptop, drinks, and work odds and ends ready for use. If you do not have a desk or have the room for one, you can take advantage of other spaces like the dining room table or kitchen island to give you a flat space to work. Using a large board and brackets or two end tables is a great way to put together a quick and easy makeshift work desk.

Get a comfortable chair

While a staple or any handy place to sit can be used in the short term this will leave your back sore and tired. The best option is to find a good office chair if at all possible. This will allow you to adjust the height and have the proper back support.

Ensure you have a charging station

Set up a charging station so you have a place to charge your laptop, mobile phone, and other electronics within reach of your makeshift office space. If you do not have an outlet next to your makeshift office consider using an extension cord and powers strip to make it easy to keep on top of everything while you work. I recently bought a bamboo charging station that can charge multiple devices at one time and its one of my favourite purchases, no more scrabbling for charging points and wires.

Give your WIFI a tune-up

Dust off your router and use aluminum foil on a cardboard box around your internet modem to improve your signal. This will help you get a better signal while you are working from home. If you have a lot of people that will be home and using the internet talk to your internet provider to see if you can get a deal on an upgraded internet plan.

Get organised!

Set up organisation for work nearby. While makeshift offices may not have all of the amenities of an intentionally planned office you can benefit from planning ahead and finding the space to organise paperwork and leave notes on what needs to be done. A paper planner that is small enough to keep at your workspace can be an amazing organisational tool to help keep you on track and on task when you have a todo list to work on. Some drawers for on your desk will keep essential paperwork together.

Add personal touches

Just like you would at your work office; this will allow you to claim the space as your workspace and enjoy the space while you work throughout the day. Have fun and make the space your own to help you find the focus you need to work from home in your new makeshift home office. 

Be Comfortable

We can ditch office workwear for more practical comfy clothes. I don’t suggest working in PJ’s as I don’t find that it helps with productivity but loungewear is totally practical and warm! I actually live in a couple of pairs of Hush Joggers and wide leg trousers, they are the most comfy thing I own and still look good too!

Setting up your flexible work station will be a temporary measure in the first instance as a response to Covid 19 but it could see a change of working practises for the entire workforce long term as we get used to new agile working practices.

Sharing is caring!