Photo by Afshin T2Y on Unsplash

Working from home has many advantages. Fewer stops at Esso, less distracting chats over the water cooler, and the ability to chuck a load of laundry into the washer during your lunch break.

One of the downsides? You need to properly outfit your space with quality furniture, lighting, and network needs. Here are five things to consider when designing the perfect remote working space.

1. Lighting—Your eyes will thank you

You probably recall from Balaklava’s last blog called “How Improper Lighting Is Affecting Your Health in Ways You Didn’t Even Realize” that appropriate illumination is essential for good health. It’s also critical when it comes to creating optimal working conditions. Functional lighting means increased focus, fewer headaches, and increased productivity.

Care to guess what the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) claims are the most common workplace lighting issues?

•  Insufficient or poorly distributed lighting. Do you find yourself squinting or suffering from dry eyes?
• Glare. If you need a set of office aviators to get the job done, there’s a problem.
•  Improper contrast. Your work area should be brighter than the surrounding office areas.
• Flicker. Loose bulbs, overloaded circuits, old wiring or incompatible dimmer switches can cause irritating flashes. You want to avoid this—unless you’re aiming for the Studio 54 vibe, of course.

2. A stable network—Your patience will thank you

When it comes to your network, your business needs reliability and uninterrupted connectivity. No one wants their network buffering just as you’re about to present year-end figures or Zoom with a key client. Bufferbloat (say that fast ten times) is not as fun as it sounds. Rather, it’s what happens when software spikes during uploads or downloads. Balaklava can help ensure that the dreaded Bufferbloat doesn’t happen in your home office space.

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Quick quiz. What’s the number one reason people install security systems?

A) To make sure your daughter’s latest Sephora order isn’t pilfered from your front stoop.

B) To ensure that the Picasso above the fireplace remains there.

C) So that your kids and grandkids are protected.

If you chose C…Congrats. You win the prize of being able to say you aced the Balaklava Security Quiz.

Summer, oh glorious summer, has arrived. The sun is beating down and here in Ontario, the humidity is seeping into our bones. A different mindset seems to come with the heat and many more of us are spending time in the great outdoors hiking, floating, and paddling.

You escape on getaways, and you also stay close to home. Almost 80% of us regularly hang out on our decks and in our yards, so it makes sense to design a comfortable and charming space that’s perfect for both tranquility and hospitality. Technology can be used in landscaping for many reasons. Here are three possibilities that will up the wow factor of your summer sanctuary.

1) Light up your world

You know how important the right lighting is to the safety and ambiance of your home. Similarly, is its significance outside your house, in your landscape. Optimal brightness makes your space safer and illuminates the yard features you’ve worked hard to create.

When considering lights, Coastal Source recommends you consider the following factors:

Photo by Zac Gudakov on Unsplash.

Running shoes have Nike.  Flying discs have Frisbee. Tissues have Kleenex.

In the world of window coverings, that distinction is taken by, yes, you guessed it from the title: Hunter Douglas. Founded in 1919, the publicly listed company began in Germany before loading up 150 railroad cars and relocating to the Netherlands in 1933. Since then, the Sonnenberg family has grown their brand, and it now operates in more than 100 countries around the globe.

Maybe you’re thinking, Wait, before you tell me about Hunter Douglas, why do I even need window treatments? Good question.

Drapes, shades, and blinds not only help you save money, but they reduce noise, add style and beauty, and enable you to look across the lawn without burning out your retinas. There are tonnes of plusses. For instance, they:

• Protect your furniture, flooring, and art from fading and cracking. “Even furnishings need sunblock."
• Stop neighbours and nosy squirrels from watching you get into your bathrobe.
• Keep your home cool. Or warm. According to the Department of Energy, a house can lose up to 30% of its cooling and heating energy through windows alone.
• Help you get better sleep with room-darkening alternatives.

Why Hunter Douglas?

You may already know the company is referred to as the “Ferrari’s of window coverings” and that their claim, Shades like no other ™, is not merely lip service.

Explore What’s Possible with Smart Home Solutions with a Wow Factor

If you’ve been looking for a way to spruce up your Collingwood, Ontario, home this spring, it’s time to consider a smart home upgrade. 

With home automation and control, you can completely change how your property looks and feels with a simple button press. Your living spaces become a relaxing oasis away from the world's stresses thanks to the strategic addition of smart home solutions. 

Read along to discover five of our clients’ favorite home automation upgrades.