Making your home office 'work'

Since the start of lockdown - which was already three months ago - the #WFH lifestyle has become reality for many South Africans. COVID-19 has instigated what is being called the world's largest work-from-home experiment. We have said goodbye to traffic jams and hello to the need for our homes to provide a suitable working space. The ideal scenario is to have a room dedicated to being a home office. If this is not possible, however, there are plenty of ways to adapt a corner of your living space to become your workspace. Having a #WFH space set up can become a selling point for your home in a world in which, for many people, going to an office is a thing of the past.

The non-negotiables - a good chair and a desk

Trust us on this one: a comfortable, ergonomically-designed chair is the most important investment you can make in your home office. While it means laying out some capital at the start of your #WFH adventure, it will save you more money in the long run, because the good posture that you'll keep in the right chair will prevent back problems. An office chair is not something you buy online - you are going to need to go to a few shops, sit in a few chairs and find one that works for you. A desk or table is also a must - and it needs to be big enough to make working comfortable.

Getting the ergonomics right

Ergonomics is about making your workspace both efficient and comfortable. That means ensuring that your screen is at the right height, that your workspace is suitably lit and that you have everything you need to work efficiently. Your monitor or laptop screen should be positioned so that the top of your screen is approximately at eye level. This goes a long way to avoiding eye and neck strain. 

There should be natural light coming into your workspace and this should be complemented by overhead lights and a standing lamp or desk lamp. Your desk needs to be positioned so that you are not looking directly out of a window - while some natural light is a must, too much of it can strain your eyes.

An important thing to remember is that despite your office changing, the nature of your work has probably not changed. That means that if you need a second screen or a filing cabinet in the office, you are going to need one in your home office as well. 

Limited space? Use it smartly.

Unless you have the luxury of a spare bedroom that you have been able to turn into a home office, it's likely that your space is limited. If this is the case, it's time to think vertically as well as horizontally. Floating shelves above your desk can be both eye-catching and functional. You'll also need to keep things organised, and cable organisers are one of the best-kept organisational secrets of home offices. If your work involves paperwork, invest in a scanner to help you minimise the papers that you have to physically store. 

Whether or not you're working from home, Jawitz Properties has your real estate needs covered. If you're thinking about buying or renting a new home - contact us today. We have an array of properties available in every corner of South Africa, and we would love to help you find the one that's right for you and your family.