Working in a home office allows employees and self-employed persons to do their work from within their own four walls. Within a few weeks, the Corona crisis led to an increased number of employees working from their home office.

To be able to work efficiently from home, the home office must be set up accordingly. In the following tips, we at DEKRA Arbeit Group will tell you what is required for an optimally set up home office.

How to set up your home office for smart working

Working from home — that sounds really good at first. No noise, no distraction from colleagues or the annoying traffic jam during rush hour. Nevertheless, there are a few things to consider when working from home to ensure that work remains efficient. Always bear in mind that when you work from home, your professional and private lives suddenly become intertwined. This places new demands on the environment. There are a number of factors that can support efficient work, but also disrupt it. It is therefore essential that the home office is set up correctly.

1. Home-office Tip: Create your own space

Ideally, you have enough space to set up a home office in a separate room. If your space does not allow it, make sure you have a permanent workplace. This can be easily separated from the rest of the room with room dividers or shelf systems.

2. Home-office tip: Keep your eyes open when choosing a desk and office chair

As in the office, you need the right desk and a matching office chair for your home office. Both should meet the ergonomic requirements. You should consider the following tips when buying a desk for your home office:

The work surface should measure a depth of 80 cm and a width of 160.
A good desk height is between 72 cm and 75 cm.
The material should be mat.
Tables with a T-leg or C-leg are ideal.
Look for test seals, such as the CE or GS mark.

The matching chair should be individually adjustable. The following tips are important for an office chair for the home office:

The legs can be angled 90 degrees when sitting.
Both soles of your feet are firmly on the floor.
The thighs lie parallel on the seat.
Optimal is a seat height between 42 cm and 53 cm and a width between 40 cm and 48 cm.

Don't forget to provide for sufficient movement in the home office. In the office, you might make your way to copying or printing more often than at home. A rule of thumb says: 60 % of working time should be spent sitting, 30 % standing and 10 % walking. An additional standing workstation is a good option.

3. Home office Tip: Setting up the hardware in the home office

To work effectively in your home office you also need the technical requirements. With 22 inch you have a good monitor size. The top edge of the screen is at about eye level when working.

In order to work legally in a home office, it is recommended to use or request terminal devices provided by the employer, which are used exclusively for professional purposes. In this way the prescribed separation of private and professional data according to DSGVO can be guaranteed.

Furthermore, communication with other employees in the home office is important. While in the office you can quickly go to your colleague's room or you can talk within the meeting, in the home office you need tools for video conferencing. A headset supports a much easier exchange.

4. Home office tip: Ensure good room conditions

When setting up your home office, pay attention not only to the equipment, but also to the ideal conditions. In an office complex, the employer creates these. In a home office, you are responsible for having the correct conditions. Temperature and humidity have a great influence on work efficiency. Poor air can quickly lead to headaches, tiredness and lack of concentration.

The optimal temperature at the workplace should be between 20 and 22° Celsius. The humidity is between 40 and 60 %. A digital room thermometer provides information and you always keep an eye on the values. At least three times a day between 8 and 10 minutes, the home office should be well ventilated.

Plants also improve the home office climate. They also provide a certain feel-good factor when furnishing the home office.

5. Home office tip: Only work under ideal lighting conditions

The placement of the desk should be parallel to the window front. This way you have enough daylight and still avoid reflections on the monitor.

Direct lighting onto the desk is not recommended. A daylight lamp as a wall spotlight can help.

6. Home office tip: Avoid distractions and provide structure

In the home office, you can be distracted quickly because TVs, books and the like are always at hand. Therefore, place all sources of interference far away from your workplace. Inform all family members about fixed times when you do not want to be disturbed. Structure your working day in the same way you would in the office. Take a fixed lunch break as well. The same applies to a regular end of the working day. Since you are already at home, a walk is a good way to compensate and actively end your working hours.

Home Office Tip: The right clothes in your home office

In addition to setting up your home office, it is equally important that you wear the right clothes. You will soon be tempted to wear very comfortable pieces within your own four walls or even spend the day in pyjamas. Neither is advisable for a professional home office. Wear clothes that you would wear on a normal office day. If you feel comfortable in a costume or suit, wear it in your home office as well. Shoes are an advantage when making phone calls. They literally ensure a stable appearance. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Home-Office Tipps: So richten Sie Ihren Heimarbeitsplatz ein