When it comes to setting up the home office, many workers are on their own—and poorly designed workplaces can lead to productivity losses or even injuries from muscle strain. Here are a few principles for establishing your home office. These simple considerations can create an environment that is productive, ergonomic and inspiring.

WORKING FROM HOME

2. Make it privateReduce potential disruptions—you don’t want the dog interrupting

a conference call! Use walls or partitions for visual privacy, and

absorptive materials to reduce noise, or wear headphones.

4. Clear a wallA whiteboard, pin-up space, magnetic surface or chalkboard is a

good place to write task lists or communicate ideas over video.

5. Adjust your chairFind an adjustable chair, with lumbar support, that allows your feet

to rest flat on the floor, with your hips and knees bent slightly more

than 90 degrees.

1. Sit by the windowFind a spot near a window for sunlight and fresh air. To reduce

glare on your computer screen, sit with the window beside or in

front of you, not behind you.

3. Clear a tableYour work surface should be high enough that your elbows bend at a

90-degree angle when you type; install a keyboard tray if necessary.

The top of your monitor should be level with your eyes.

6. Store itAre you a Filer, Piler, Pinner or Clouder? Include enough filing

cabinets, clear horizontal surfaces, clear vertical surfaces or disk

space to meet your storage needs.

8. Personalize your spaceIncorporate small items—photos, art, plants, objects—that

inspire you. Be selective, to keep the workplace uncluttered.

9. Work and ConnectChances are, your work requires technology. You’ll also need it

to connect with your coworkers, via text messages, conference

calls or video chats.

7. Take it with youYou need to leave home sometime—to meet both coworkers

and clients. Make sure you have a good bag for carrying printed

files and mobile devices.

10. Illuminate your workYour choice of task lighting can also bring color and personality

into the home office.

Your Stuff

Telework is possible thanks to widely available communications

technology, but in addition to the obvious devices, there are

several other items that will help you work efficiently, and in a

space that feels comfortable. Here’s the beginning of your

shopping list.

Your Space

Where you locate the workplace within your home can make

a big impact on your ability to focus on your tasks, and on

the ergonomics and healthiness of your work environment.

Regardless of how much space you have, keep these basic

principles in mind.

H O W D O Y O U S E T U P Y O U R H O M E O F F I C E ?

H O W M U C H S P A C E D O Y O U H A V E ?

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Do you have a one-bedroom apartment or loft with space in the corner? With a little creativity and careful planning, a corner can feel like a distinct workplace too. Screen

your “office” with partitions that double as storage, and devote this furniture exclusively to work if

possible. When the day ends, leave your work—both physically and psychologically—in this corner.

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6 10 1 4

8 5

Do you have a studio with no space at all?Then you’re probably sitting at your dining room table! The basic principles still apply, but

the challenge is to psychologically separate the work and home environments. Your space

must be completely flexible, so make sure your storage allows you to pack everything away

at the end of the day.

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6 10 8

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Do you have a house with a spare room?Congratulations! It’s easier to create a productive workplace when there’s extra space to

work with. You can build a fully functional work environment with most of the features of a

typical office, without having to worry so much about privacy from children or pets.

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Send updatesRegularly update colleagues on

your work, through scheduled

conference calls or emails.

Take a breakInstitute a virtual happy hour—

coordinate downtime to connect

personally with colleagues over

video or the phone.

Make a dateGet out of the house, and

meet with colleagues over

coffee or lunch.

Don’t forget to change your environment occasionally—

stand up and stretch, or even move to the couch for a little

while. It’s better to move than to sit in one position all day.

Thanks to mobile technology, the options are almost endless!

One Final Note

W H A T I S Y O U R T E L E W O R K I N G S T Y L E ?

It’s important to stay connected to colleagues. This can ease employers’ fears of

employees slacking off at home, and employees’ fears of being forgotten or passed

over for promotions. Because chance encounters are a major driver of innovative

ideas and workplace satisfaction, they’re important for the bottom line.

Y O U R T E L E W O R K

S T Y L E

Travel to HQYou’ll have visit the main office

eventually. Take advantage of

this opportunity to connect with

colleagues both in and out of

formal meetings.

Use technologyKeep in touch using real-time

tools like instant messaging,

video or social media.

P. J. Mateyka, M. A. Rapino, and L. C. Landivar, U.S., “Home Based Workers

in the United States: 2010,” Census Bureau, October 2012.

P. J. Mateyka, M. A. Rapino, and L. C. Landivar, U.S., “Home Based Workers

in the United States: 2010,” Census Bureau, October 2012.

N. Bloom, J. Liang, J. Roberts, and Z. J. Ying, “Does Working from Home Work?

Evidence from a Chinese Experiment,” 22 February 2013.

“Ergonomics and Repetitive Strain Injury,” StrategyOne, April 2008.

Nearly 10% of U.S. employees work at

least one day per week from home, a

20% increase since 2005.

Researchers found a 13% increase in

productivity when Chinese call-center

employees were allowed to telework.

Personal income is $20,000/year

higher for those who telework at least

one day per week.

Musculoskeletal disorders such as stress injuries

cost $20 billion/year in workers compensation

claims—which raises insurance rates.

A Microsoft-sponsored study found

that mobile work has increased the

frequency of stress injuries.

For each day per week worked from

home, the average U.S. employee saves

2,500 commuting miles.

H I G H E R I N C O M EP R O D U C T I V I T Y W O R K E R S C O M P

D I D Y O U K N O W ?

2012 Status of Telework in the Federal Government: Report to Congress,”

United States Office of Personnel Management, June 2012.

U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Visit nbbj.com to download this poster. To learn more about telework programs, space planning, design guidelines

or other corporate workplace strategies, contact interior design leader Suzanne Carlson at scarlson@nbbj.com.

W A N T T O L E A R N M O R E ?