How To Make Your Space More Attractive for Virtual Meetings
Working from home has become the new normal. Don’t believe us? An Upwork survey has revealed that 1 in 4 Americans, or 39 million people, are working from home in 2021, with predictions estimating that in the coming years, that figure will rise to 70 million.
Since remote work has taken over, so have virtual meetings, and thus, a need for a private, home office space. You need a place that not only is aesthetically pleasing and motivates your productivity but is appropriate when your colleagues Zoom in for a catch-up or conference call.
Here are a few hacks to make your home office more attractive for your up-coming virtual meetings.
Tip #1 – Declutter
Clutter can convey a lot at first glance: a lack of organization or that you’re in the presence of a procrastinator, says Psychologytoday.com. Whether or not you’re disorganized and/or a procrastinator, you don’t want your peers to peek in and think that either description applies.
As a result, your first step is to declutter. Get rid of items in your home office that aren’t needed or don’t belong. You’ll not only rid yourself of a mess, but you’ll be less distracted, too.
We also recommend you check out our blog on Spring Cleaning, which provides a list of great storage solutions for the office supplies and décor you’re keeping after your initial purge.
Tip #2 – Sufficient and Correct Lighting
Did you know that prolonged exposure to bad lighting during work can cause fatigue, strain on the eyes, migraines and other, unwanted repercussions?
Did you also know that harsh lighting can change how you appear on camera?
Harsh, bright lights can cause irritability and distractedness, while softer, diffused lighting can stimulate positivity and focus. With that said, and if at all possible, your home office should have a window to admit natural lighting to help you with your mood and productivity. There should also be at least two light sources, one of them overhead and another for your desk. Adjustable lighting is a plus since you may have to make changes for your computer’s camera.
Helpful Tip: Don’t wait until a meeting with the big boss or coworkers to figure out what you and your office look like on camera. We recommend you do a practice run, either with a willing friend, partner or even by yourself. This way you can find the best positioning and adjust your lights as needed.
Tip #3 – Consider What Your Backdrop Will Be
Lights, camera, zoom meeting! Just like a movie (minus the glamour), you should have a ‘backdrop’ that isn’t distracting during your calls so that the focus is all on the conversation. It’s also beneficial to have a backdrop that serves a purpose, too – dead space can be such a waste and isn’t necessary.
Having said all of that, here are two routes you can take when considering your office backdrop:
- A Wall Unit – These beautiful custom-made creations provide shelving to hold your books, office supplies, knick-knacks, décor and more. Deep cabinets can also conceal items or clutter that you’d still like to have around but are best put out of view from business associates. Cabinetry can also house office machines such as printers on slide-out shelves to keep them out of sight but easily accessible when required.
- A Murphy Bed – The outer case of a Murphy bed conceals the mattress against the wall, creating a simple, minimalistic background. It goes without saying that the other added benefit of a Murphy bed in your home office is the duality of the space, which increases its functionality and versatility. Don’t take our word for it though – check out this recent customer review, who had this to say:
“The quality of the materials are top-notch. We are so happy to have our bookshelves/Murphy bed and desk installed in our home office. A great place to work at home and have guests – the bookshelves look so perfect, and it’s great for a Zoom background (some folks thought it was a green screen!)” – Shayna Wolfson
It’s important to make a good impression. This applies to work, too, where you want to appear professional and organized. So, if you’re one of the millions of people who now work from home in post-pandemic America, consider giving your office a makeover.
Interested in learning more about getting organized or The Closet Works’ installations? Request a free consultation with one of our professional Designers today.
