Short answer
Count on at least six sockets at the desk, a network outlet for stable video calls, and lighting that comes from the side instead of straight above the screen. If the workspace is in the loft, also check which circuit it is on: a loft is often still on the lighting circuit.
Who this article is for Anyone who works from home and finds the room was not really built for it.
Power
Count what is on a desk: screen, laptop charger, docking station, phone charger, desk lamp, printer, speakers. Six sockets is no luxury.
A practical layout:
- four to six points at desk height or just above, not behind the cupboard
- a switched point for the desk lamp, so everything can be turned off with one switch
- if the workspace is in the loft: check that it is not on the lighting circuit
I come across that last one a lot. A loft has often been finished later on an existing lighting circuit, and then the whole floor goes off when a heater is added.
Network
Video calling is the only thing in the house that is really sensitive to flaky wifi. A network cable to the workspace solves that for good, even if the rest of the house stays on wifi.
If a cable cannot get there, at least make sure there is an access point in the same room or right next to it. See access point or mesh.
Light
The most common mistake is one light straight above the desk. That casts shadows on your hands and reflections on the screen.
A light straight above the desk is the most common mistake.
What does work:
- light from the side, preferably from two sides
- a desk lamp you can direct
- no window directly behind you on video calls, or you are a silhouette
- warm white light, around 3000 kelvin, and the same colour throughout the room
More on layers and light colour in making a lighting plan.
Sound and peace
A workspace in the loft under a roof window is warm in summer and cold in winter. That is not electrical work, but it does decide whether you will actually sit there. Think about a connection for air conditioning or a radiator while the wiring is exposed anyway.
What it costs
Four sockets and a network outlet on an existing circuit is usually half a day. If a dedicated circuit is added, the work in the meter cupboard comes on top. The hourly rate is on the request a quote page; a site survey beforehand costs nothing.
From my own work
At a customer's in Elsloo, the picture regularly dropped out during video calls in the loft. The wifi only just reached it, and the workspace was on the lighting circuit together with an electric heater. A network cable to the loft, a dedicated circuit and four extra sockets. No complaints since, and the heater can be on without the lights flickering.
When to call an electrician
- A permanent workspace is going in the loft or a room
- Video calls stutter while the rest of the house works fine
- You need extension leads to get everything plugged in
This is usually half a day's work that makes the rest of your working week more pleasant. Request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many sockets do I need at a desk?
Four to six at desk height. Just count: screen, laptop charger, dock, charger, lamp and printer.
Why do video calls stutter while everything else works?
Video calling is the only thing in the house that is really sensitive to fluctuating wifi. A network cable to the workspace solves that for good.
My loft goes off when the heater comes on, how come?
The loft is probably still on the lighting circuit. A dedicated circuit solves that.
Further reading
Access point or mesh: which to choose
Mesh is quick to set up and works reasonably well. Wired access points work better and last longer.
Fibre at home: what happens and what you need to arrange yourself
The provider brings the fibre into the meter cupboard. From there it is your network, and that is where there is most to gain.
A camera by the door or on the front of the house: what is allowed and what works
A camera on your wall may film your own property. The neighbours and the pavement are another matter.
Questions and comments
Ask your question below. Ask before 17:00 on a working day and you get an answer from Kevin himself the same day. No account needed, and your email address does not appear on the site.