Are you considering a work from home setup? Or do you feel your home office setup needs an upgrade? If you are considering it even years ago or are already in the middle of setting it up, this is your saving grace. We'll cover everything from what equipment you need to how to organize your space.
By the time you're done reading, you'll be ready to hit to create an office design that will be your new home office setup!
How to Set up an Ideal Work from Home Office Setup?
When you’re suddenly asked to operate remotely, creating a work area at home might help restore normality and get work done. However, creating a productive work environment or home office setting might be difficult when you're not in an office. Additionally, you easily get sidetracked and lose focus when working from your living room or bedroom.
Making a thought-out home office desk or area might help you achieve some work-life balance and enhance your productivity. Here's how to make the best home office setup even if you don't have much room.
Look for the Ideal Workspace
There are two things you need to ask yourself when choosing the best place to put your home office setup:
- Is the area peaceful or even relatively quiet?
- Does the space have low foot traffic?
- Is it accessible to your equipment such as your keyboard and mouse, desk, and even an ergonomic chair?
Create an empty space where a tiny workstation might fit. Or check to see if you can turn a spare closet into an office or workplace. Innovative and creative ideas are all welcome.
Make a Multi-purpose Work from Home Office
Sometimes, it's simply impossible to create a space to substitute your office solely for work. It can be hard to separate it from living areas, especially if you have so little space to work with. You can use any of the living spaces if you don’t have anywhere else to put your remote work setup.
During the day, set aside a portion of your kitchen table for your workplace. You can also put a small corner desk or standing desk in your living room or a big hallway. This is perfect for welcoming the natural light into your home office desk.
Maximize your Vertical Space
Don't leave out your walls when creating a home office setup. You can add wall-mounted shelves for more storage in your office. Also, you'll have more area on the floor and desk by making the most of your wall space. Plus, you don't have to worry about finding something.
What Should Every Work from Home Office Setup Have?
Productivity issues frequently arise when working remotely, and the correct desk setup is essential to help resolve them. You need some work-from-home essentials perfect for your office space to maximize productivity. Here are some examples and tips:
1. Comfortable Office Chairs
When working from home, getting a chair from the dining room to substitute as your ergonomic chair for your desk setup is very enticing. But spending a lot of time sitting without adequate back support is a surefire way to develop back issues. So, having a comfortable and ergonomic office chair for sitting is an investment while you work from home.
Steelcase Gesture Office Chair
Video: Steelcase’s office chair Review
Steelcase’s office chair is a great piece of furniture to start your home office setup. It has wheels that are perfect for any flooring, even carpets. The 360-degree chair has a shell back and seat, completely adjustable arms, and pneumatic seat height adjustment. Plus, it has a reclining tension adjustment and a 4-position recline lock.
Pros
- Greatly flexible
- Very comfy for extended periods
- Elevated back
Cons
- The armrests aren’t generally accepted
- Discomforting when not seated right
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
Herman Miller’s Aeron chair has developed into one of the most well-liked office desk chairs for a reason. Even though you’ll be going way over budget for this, the value you receive for this ergonomic chair justifies the cost.
It also has one of the best warranties available and is one of the best-built office chairs for sitting. Additionally, it can be used 24/7, has a 350-pound weight capacity and comes in three sizes that will fit almost anyone.
Pros
- Adjustable
- Highly comfortable
- Great recline function
- Good armrests
Cons
- No headrest
- A bit over the budget
- No seat depth and back height adjustment
2. Ergonomic Keyboard
You need a good ergonomic keyboard since you will be sitting and typing for hours all day. It would be best if you had your hands and wrist to work comfortably because of all the typing you'll be doing. If not, you'll run the risk of developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and this should not be a result of bad home office setups.
Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard
If typing comfort is important to you, there are two types of keyboards you should search for either a mechanical or ergonomic keyboard which can stand as aesthetic desk accessories or devices. While the first one is praised for its key stability, the latter forces you in the best typing position and help get the work done.
The Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard does this. It guides your arms, hands, and wrists in the proper position to prevent strain and damage. The keyboard offers an improved typing experience that is virtually as good as typing on a mechanical one.
Pros
- Good wrist rest
- Has an adjustable tilt
Cons
- Very steep learning curve
Logitech Ergo K860 Keyboard
Video: Logitech Ergo K860 Review - My First Ergonomic Keyboard!
The Logitech Ergo K860 is an excellent option if you're looking for an ergonomic keyboard. It’s easy to use, and you’ll easily get the hang of using it. The keyboard will create a fantastic preemptive solution for your work environment if you're just beginning to experience stiffness in your arms and shoulders. Additionally, the typing noise is kept to a minimum so you won't disturb anyone nearby and help you create a quiet environment needed to be productive for work.
Pros
- Highly comfortable wrist rest
- Split and curved ergonomic shape
- Asymmetrical extended keys make it simpler to navigate
Cons
- Keys are a bit spread out
- No backlighting
- Can take up more space
3. Reliable Desk
A solid desk is the bedrock of any home office set up. The idea may seem straightforward, yet without it, where will you put your things? You will be working most of your time at home. That’s why you should spend money on one that matches your office design area, workflow, and budget needs.
It's also a must to keep you relaxed throughout the day to be more productive. And sometimes that means that a desk can be transformed into a standing one to avoid sitting all day.
DIRECTION DESK EXECUTIVE DESK
For individuals looking for a workstation that combines design, versatility, and lots of space, the Direction Desk Executive Desk is the ideal choice. This desk, expertly crafted and created for the modern professional, provides the best environment for productivity and creativity.
The Direction Desk’s roomy L-shaped form, which offers a big work area to accommodate all your office necessities, is one of its distinguishing qualities. This desk gives you the space you require to work comfortably and effectively, whether you need it for several monitors, paperwork, or creative tasks.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- Durable construction
- Built-in storage options
Cons
- Higher price compared to basic desks
DIRECTION DESK LAMINATE DESK
The Direction Desk Laminated Desk was made to help you get the most out of your working environment. Your computer, monitor, keyboard, and other office necessities will all fit comfortably on a large desk.
The Direction Desk Laminate Desk is an excellent way to improve your health and productivity at work. This desk is the best option for those who care about their health and productivity because of its ergonomic design, sturdy construction, and sleek appearance.
Pros
- Adjustable Height
- Durable construction
- Spacious workspace
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited customization
4. Super-fast Work From Home Computer
Having a computer (either a desktop or a laptop) is a no-brainer. Nowadays, without it, you can’t even perform simple office work. You must invest in a strong computer system that can easily handle your workload, is usually USB-c compatible, has good power, and is with reliable monitors. A subpar computer can make you impatient, slow you down, create many issues, and reduce your productivity.
Dell Optiplex 3020
The Dell Optiplex 3020 computer is a great starting point and long-term investment if you’re just transitioning to a work-from-home office setup. It's built on a straightforward micro-tower system and includes a free high-speed upgrade to Windows 10 Pro and Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. The system is equipped with everything you require for work and is expandable.
Pros
- Great security options
- Has superb expandability
Cons
- Subpar video card
- There are faster ones in the same bracket
- No integrated Wi-Fi
ASUS ZenBook 14
Video: ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX425E) Review: Luxury Made Affordable!
A rich and color-accurate laptop with a natural OLED display, fantastic performance, and great battery life make the ASUS Zenbook 14 a great office space laptop. The ASUS ZenBook 14 UX435 is a very capable ultrabook that delivers a lot of power despite its small size.
It manages to accommodate both a ScreenPad and a 14-inch primary display. Its internal components are fairly powerful in terms of performance. But it may not perform well if your workload requires a dedicated GPU essential in home offices.
Pros
- Lots of ports
- Great OLED display
Cons
- Number pad Isn't a good one
- No graphics options
5. Wide Monitor
Purchasing a monitor is not just for the aesthetics but for health too. It can improve your posture when positioned perfectly at your eye level. You can also ask yourself how many screens or monitors you want and how you want to arrange them on your workstation.
LG 27MD5KL-B 27” ULTRAFINE 5K MONITOR
The LG 27MD5KL-B ergonomic design makes it a pleasant and useful place to spend time. The on-screen menu lets you quickly access different features to adjust the display to your liking.
This has a stunning resolution, accurate color reproduction, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, and an ergonomic design. The LG 27MD5KL-B is the ideal companion for professionals and creatives who demand the best visual experience.
Pros
- Stunning visuals
- Accurate color reproduction
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Expensive
- Gaming limitations
DELL U2722D - 27-INCH QHD
This monitor's ComfortView Plus feature makes it easier on the eyes over long viewing periods by minimizing potentially hazardous blue light emissions without compromising color accuracy. Put an end to uncomfortable eye strain and see your productivity soar.
You can watch films, movies, and games in crystal clear detail thanks to the 60Hz refresh rate. The DELL U2722D provides stunning picture quality with vivid, true-to-life colors for all your digital media consumption needs.
Pros
- ComfortView Plus feature
- High-quality display
- Vivid and accurate colors
Cons
-
Expensive
9 Tips on Creating the Best Work from Home Office Setup
Working remotely involves discipline, commitment, and focus. And creating a separate home office setup aid in upholding the office atmosphere, eventually enhancing productivity. Here are some tips when creating your workspace at home:
1. Cord Management
Think about having a cord management system of some sort. Consider where the outlets and desk accessories are if your office is in a designated but open area.
There might not be many options available asides from searching on amazon, which forces you to lay extension cords and power strips around the floor. When this happens, choose a safe way for your workspace to do it (like with cord covers).
2. Sense of Privacy
You need to create a private workspace if you’re sharing the area or space with someone. Think about incorporating a divider into your home office design. Curtains are a simple and affordable way to "close the door" to your home office setup.
3. Lighting
Lighting is frequently forgotten while constructing a home office setup. While the bad lighting won't make you blind, it will strain your eyes.
Choose a space that receives the most natural light. But if there’s none, invest in the right kind of lamp with a solid shade capable of lighting monitors as well.
4. Protecting Sensitive and Important Documents
Sometimes, you can't just leave critical paperwork laying around the office, especially if it's a common space. When there are things that you simply don't want to risk losing, invest in locked file and storage cabinets or store them in legitimate USB devices or space.
5. ClAYGo
At times, your home office might become a little disorganized. It can be in the form of a mail backlog or disorganized desk drawers. An untidy home office setup can be distracting and even make you feel more stressed.
Always practice ClAYGo (Clean As You Go) at the end of every work day. Having a clean home office setup or desk is a good way to start the next day fresh and organized.
6. Create a Schedule
Having a schedule creates normalcy. Split up your time similarly to how you would separate your working and non-working spaces.
Try the standard 9:00 to 5:00 workday instead of staying up late. Or, if you're a morning person, start (and end) your day even earlier. Create a timetable and a few tips to follow that work for you and stick to it.
7. Be Comfortable
Don’t get pieces of furniture and equipment just for the aesthetics of your home office design. Always prioritize comfortability. Especially for a home office desk.
8. Reliable Internet
Having reliable internet is needed to create the best home office. It may go without saying but working from home frequently feels terrible due to a sporadic internet connection.
9. Put a Personal Touch
To create personal touches to your home office setup is a great idea. Your setup gives you a lot of freedom and options. Making your home office desk area themed after your interests or hobbies is a terrific approach.
Make the Most Out of Your Work from Home Setup
Working from home comfortably, even at home, is crucial for productivity, mental health, and morale. Surely, the Logitech Ergo K860 Keyboard, Dell SE2419HR, and a Dell Optiplex 3020 will produce the best working setup for you! Either way, check out each product on their Amazon page.
How about some desk accessories to boost your productivity? Check out some of our suggestions here.
What's your ideal work from home setup? Let us know in the comments below!
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