Set up Your Home Office for Video Calls.

Whether you're a freelancer, new to telecommuting, or an experienced pro trying to improve your video conferencing experience, I hope this article will help you set up a home office for remote work. I'll give you some design pointers and considerations for a productive home office design for your enjoyment and increased productivity.

Designing your work-from-home office that supports your optimal working method is critical. In addition, it's essential to focus on the design of backdrops and lighting for video conferencing because it will be your primary tool when communicating with co-workers, clients, and consultants.

The key is to arrange your home office with proper indirect and task-lighting furniture that suits your needs and encourages you to stay focused from first thing in the morning until after dark, depending on your work hours.

Home Office Desk Setup.

When it comes to the best home office setup for productivity, consider the ergonomics involved because this can go a long way toward supporting your work style and making you more comfortable. When planning out your office desk setup, think about how often you'll be on the phone versus face-to-face meetings, and try to plan accordingly.

You may also want to consider using a height-adjustable desk as an alternative so you can stand while on video conferences or use the phone. A standing desk will encourage movement, may reduce back pain, and increase productivity.

Lighting for Video Calls.

One thing that people don't often think about when they are designing their home office is the amount of natural light within the space, which will affect how comfortable it is to be in the room and, therefore, what types of activities can take place in the room.

When it comes to video conferencing, you'll want to make sure there is good natural light which will enhance the clarity of your video so that it can be transmitted around the world with ease and that the person on the other end feels comfortable. Depending on your windows' direction, you may need to consider window roller shades or curtains with sunblock.

Setup for Video Conferencing.

Typically, people do not think about where their monitor should be in the room in relation to the camera. It does not need to be directly facing you (the camera should), but it should be somewhere visible so you can make eye contact with the person on the other end of the video conference call.

When it comes to video conferencing, you'll want to make sure there is an excellent natural light that will enhance the clarity of your video so that it can be broadcasted around the world with ease and that the person on the other end feels comfortable. Depending on your windows' direction, you may need to consider window roller shades or curtains with sunblock.

Another thing to consider is whether your camera will be placed to get the best angle for your face and if you can see yourself easily on the screen of the person on the other end.

The often-overlooked importance of your chair.

Sitting in an uncomfortable chair and squirming while sharing your screen left, right, and center is awful and exhausting. It is incredibly important to have a high-quality ergonomic task chair with good lumbar support when you sit for hours, in front of your computer, without getting fatigued or constantly shifting nervously during conference calls.

When designing your work from the home office, place your desk away from windows and heavy traffic areas. You do not want to be distracted by the sunlight coming in through your windows, nor do you want people passing by Zoombombing while you're trying to conduct important business over video conferencing.

When hosting video conferences with non-local clients, your home office design and furnishing play a big role in how your home office space works. Your home office must have enough space for the necessary equipment, like a printer and filing cabinet. Natural and artificial lighting for said video conference calls. And since Video Conferencing is the new standard these Covid times, investing in a few simple and economical cameras and lighting upgrades will possibly give you that extra oomph needed.

Please check out my blog for more Home Office Ideas on all aspects of running an office at home! and subscribe!