One of the prominent themes in many of the institutional business and economic reports that arrive in January each year is that of a post-Covid world. When looking back over 2022, there was a sense of transitioning away – relatively so – from many of the norms that took hold across the pandemic years: low interest rates, red-hot stock markets, virtual entertainment and activities, and so on. But the post-Covid world will still have legacies to contend with from that era, and it is about much more than choosing to wear a mask on a subway. 

Indeed, one of the more interesting “legacies” is remote working. Canada had one of the highest remote working rates of any developed country during the pandemic, and while many of us have trundled back to the office, millions of us have chosen to stay at home or, at least, have adapted to the hybrid work model. It means that many of us could conceivably have the office in our homes for several decades to come. And ensuring that space is perfect is paramount to creating a pleasurable work-life balance. 

Remote and Hybrid Working Is Here to Stay 

First, let’s get the obvious criticism out of the way: Why now? Wouldn’t we have created the perfect workspace in 2020 and 2021 when our lives suddenly got turned upside down? While that’s true, it’s only to an extent. Not everyone knew back then knew that they would potentially be remote working for the long term. Moreover, it was a sudden move, so a large number of us simply cobbled together what we could to help us do our jobs. As such, it might be worth exploring remote working setup ideas to create that perfect space for doing your job. 

Perhaps the most pressing issue you have to decide on is where to work. If it was previously a kitchen table, a bedroom, or some other far-away corner of the home, you may – if it is possible – want to acquire a space that has a sense of permanency. Transform a frequently-unused spare bedroom by adding a sofa bed that can be adapted as needed. Or, if you have the will and the budget, you can transform a cellar, garage, or loft space into a larger – and more private – office. 

Personalized Décor Is a Benefit of Home Working 

Décor is important. But it is essential to strike a balance between being interesting and distracting. Too much clutter will serve as a distraction, whereas if the office space is too sparse it will feel drab and unwelcoming. Trends change, too, of course, so keeping abreast of home décor tips for 2023 from lifestyle brands like Bouclair can help you achieve a contemporary style for your space while remaining conducive to getting your work done. Remember, there are some real benefits to working at home, and one of those is the personalization of your space through décor, which can add a much greater sense of vivacity when compared with a corporate office space

Light Can Help Your Productivity 

Online, you can find lots of advice about lighting and setting the right atmosphere that is conducive to a productive workday. For the former, it is desirable to have a window in the room that allows some natural light to flow through. Of course, that might not be possible if, say, you are working from a converted garage or cellar, but you can still experiment with different lighting options to get the right fit. 

Setting boundaries is essential. The kids might be back at school, and you may be home alone working a lot, but this is not always going to be the case. A sense of territory should be important. We have all seen cute videos of kids bursting into a room during a Zoom call, but it is still somewhat frowned upon. Clients, management, and fellow colleagues will have an expectation that your remote working setup is a professional one, and they will not be impressed by intrusions. There’s a simple answer: buy a lock for the door of your workspace, even if it is a shared space for outside working hours. 

As per the above, most experienced remote workers will tell you that there should be self-imposed boundaries set for the workspace. This is a broad concept, ranging from setting limits on how much time you spend at your desk to whether you should dress smartly for your work day. The point is about the separation of the spaces for home and work. If you let the lines blur too much, then your work-life balance will deteriorate. 

The Trends Say Many of Us Will Be Remote Workers

In the end, many of us will already be content with our setup for remote working. As mentioned, we have had almost three years since the outbreak of Covid-19 made it a reality for large portions of the labor force. However, macro trends, including climate change, point to remote and hybrid work trends increasing long into the future. Yes, there is a growing consensus that it might be better to be in the office in person if you are chasing a promotion, but technology and logistics are also offering flexibility to workers. If you intend to be working from your home, even just a couple of days a week, for the foreseeable future, you should take all the necessary steps to ensure your home office is perfect.