Many families had to rethink their current home designs when the pandemic happened. Many families have home offices for working adults and study rooms for learning children. It is because people need to be able to work from home and learn from home during this time.
However, there might not be enough space for both those spaces. As a result, families might have to settle for a generic area where work and studies can mesh well. Fortunately, it won’t take a lot of adjustments when your home office needs to accommodate kids studying for school and vice versa. Here are a few tips for setting up a comfortable environment for those activities.
Schedule Work and Study Time
The most important aspect of having a family office at home is to set a schedule. It will help ensure enough time for everyone to focus on their tasks. For instance, working adults can have their office hours from 9 am to 5 pm. Meanwhile, kids can have their study hours from 2 pm to 4 pm. Of course, you can adjust these schedules depending on the family’s needs.
There will be plenty of instances where the family won’t follow the schedule to a T. As long as there is an understanding that work and study time should not overlap too much.
Designate a Workspace for Everyone
It would be best if each family member had their desk or workspace. It would minimize distractions, and each person can focus on the task at hand. If you don’t have enough room for everyone to have their desk, try to create different areas in the house where people can work or study peacefully.
For instance, you can convert the dining table into a workstation during the day. Then, the family can use it for meals at night. Alternatively, you can also set up a makeshift desk in the living room. The point is to have a specific area where people can do their work or study without being interrupted.
When setting up a family office, it is crucial to consider the needs of all family members. The office furniture should be kid-friendly, avoiding tables with sharp edges and hazardous cable wires. This adjustment will help create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone in the family.
Make the Most of Technology
There are plenty of online tools and resources usable for work and studies. Utilize these to your advantage so that you wouldn’t have to worry about paper clutter in the family office. For instance, you can use Google Drive for storing documents, Slides, and Sheets. You can also use Zoom for video conferencing and Skype for calls. Of course, you can use many other applications depending on your needs.
When setting up a family office, don’t forget to consider the technology needs of everyone in the family. There are plenty of technological devices that can help with work and studies in this day and age.
For instance, you can add a printer to your home office. It will come in handy for printing out school assignments or work documents. You can also consider getting a scanner to scan documents into your computer quickly.
If you need to conference with clients or colleagues frequently, you might want to invest in a good webcam and microphone. That way, you can have video calls without leaving the comfort of your home office.
Finally, don’t forget about the importance of a good internet connection. Make sure that everyone in the family has access to a reliable internet connection so that they can work and study effectively.
Encourage Open Communication
Since everyone will be working or studying in the same space, it is essential to encourage open communication. This way, everyone will be on the same page, and there won’t be any misunderstandings. If someone is working on an important project, the rest of the family should avoid making too much noise.
It would be best to designate a place where people can take calls so that others won’t be disturbed. For instance, you can set up a makeshift office in the bedroom or the basement. Alternatively, you can also use headphones to avoid disturbing others while working or studying.
Of course, open communication goes both ways. If someone finds it hard to concentrate because of the noise, they should feel comfortable enough to speak up. The goal is to create an environment where everyone can work and study effectively without disturbing others.
Be Flexible
Although it is essential to have a schedule, you should also be flexible when necessary. If someone has an urgent project or deadline, family members should be able to work overtime if needed. Similarly, if someone needs to take a break from work or studies, they should feel comfortable doing so.
The key is to find a balance between being flexible and maintaining a level of discipline. As long as everyone is aware of sticking to the schedule, things will run smoothly.
Conclusion
A family office can be a great way to create a dedicated space for work and study. By following these tips, you can set up a functional and comfortable family office in your home.
