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Updated March 23, 2023You’re reading an excerpt of The Holloway Guide to Remote Work, a book by Katie Wilde, Juan Pablo Buriticá, and over 50 other contributors. It is the most comprehensive resource on building, managing, and adapting to working with distributed teams. Purchase the book to support the author and the ad-free Holloway reading experience. You get instant digital access, 800 links and references, a library of tools for remote-friendly work, commentary and future updates, and a high-quality PDF download.
If you work from your couch, your home is your work.Rodolphe Dutel, founder, Remotive*
Just over 30% of remote workers have space for a separate, dedicated office,* and that’s often the best option for optimizing how you work. People who don’t have a separate office tend to use their living room or bedroom. When you’re choosing where to work, you’ll need to think about:
Your floor plan and available space
How likely you are to be distracted during the day
Where you can locate a desk, computer, and the other office furniture and hardware you’ll need
How comfortable you can make your working environment
How professional the area will look if you’re on a video call
To help you decide, we recommend:
Talking to the people you live with about how you plan to be working
Trying out various spaces for your work if you don’t have a separate room
Discussing options with other remote workers on your team
Investing in quality work products to make your life easier
If you like to have other people around, it might be a good idea to rent a desk in a coworking space. Some employers might even cover these costs, and it can be a good way to create a routine and avoid distractions.
Here’s some inspiration from how other people have set up their remote working spaces:
You’ll probably be spending seven or more hours a day working from home, so it’s important to invest in high-quality furniture that supports you as you work.
Comfortable desk. Whatever type of desk you have (or buy), you’ll have to make sure there’s enough surface area for your hardware, accessories, and any paperwork or other materials you might need. It’s much better to have a good desk and chair than to work from the dining room table. If you’re looking for a place to start, here are some ideas.
Adjustable chair. The type of chair you use is arguably even more important than your desk. It’s critical to choose a chair that offers full ergonomic capabilities, including comprehensive back support, chair- and arm-height variation, and other adjustments. Here’s a buyer’s guide to get you started.