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.

Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash.com

September is Healthy Living Month. It’s probably not a huge surprise to you that lighting plays a monumental role in our mental and emotional health. 

What light does for our body

Light is key to keeping our circadian rhythm at its best. Maybe you’re wondering, what the heck is a circadian rhythm? It’s just a fancy schmancy name for our “internal clock”, aka the sleep-wake cycle.

Not only does proper, more natural lighting allow for better sleep, but it also

• keeps you safe and alert,
• helps you avoid eye strain and headaches, and
• is necessary for the nervous and endocrine systems (hormones, mood, etc.).

In a recent seminar, Mark S. Rea, PhD, from the Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center, clarified that health benefits aren’t simply due to light’s wavelength but also to its contrast or brightness.

Research has determined that “lighting schemes” (mimicking a normal day) decrease aggression and sundowning in patients with Alzheimer’s. Studies between 1985 and 2024 about prison lighting all conclude that appropriate illumination reduces aggression and improves rehabilitation rates.

For a little over a year now, Balaklava Technology Simplified has called 20 Creighton Road in Walkerton home. Now, we’re ready for you to be part of the big reveal. Here are 3 reasons to spend part of your Maundy Thursday in Walkerton at Balaklava Technology Simplified’s Grand Opening. Plus, be one of the first 30 to arrive and you’ll get extra-special swag.

1) Curiosity Killed the Cat

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but for humans, it can be a very good, mind-expanding trait. Research shows that curious folks tend to be happy folks. Why not aim for “higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and greater psychological well-being”? As Balaklava’s building evolved, you watched excavators dig, foundations poured, and trusses set in place. Now you get a chance to see the finished product!

“We’ve come a long way,” remarks Owner and President Mark Pinder.  “We outgrew our Mildmay space, we were out of parking, office and warehouse space. We’d love for you to tour our new 4,500-square-foot facility. Including the meeting and conference rooms in our high-tech Business Center.”

Go ahead and give in. Head to Balaklava’s Grand Opening on April 17 between 2:00 and 8:00 pm. Need another reason?

With Whole-Home Lighting Control, Your Entire Southern Ontario Property Can Respond to Your Needs

Can you imagine living in a home that responds to your needs? As a room becomes too cool, window sensors signal the motorized shades to rise, letting in natural sunlight. At the same time, the interior lights dim to reduce energy waste while the sun’s rays illuminate the space. With a whole-home lighting control system, it’s possible.

Keep reading below to learn more about lighting control and how it can make your Collingwood-area home stand out in new and exciting ways!