There are a lot of advantages to working from home, not the least of which is a 30-second commute. And while many people think working from home means you can work on the couch, in the backyard, or even from your bed, in the end, you may find that you’re most productive at home when you work at a “proper” workstation. You know, the kind with a desk and a chair.
Setting up your home office means you’ve got a lot of choice and freedom. Want a purple and orange chair? Go for it! Want striped walls? Be our guest! But, no matter how you decorate, furnish, or set up your home office, we’ve got some tips that will help you create a space that contributes to your work-from-home success.
1. Find the Best Location
There are a lot of advantages to working from home, not the least of which is a 30-second commute. And while many people think working from home means you can work on the couch, in the backyard, or even from your bed, in the end, you may find that you’re most productive at home when you work at a “proper” workstation. You know, the kind with a desk and a chair.
Setting up your home office means you’ve got a lot of choice and freedom. Want a purple and orange chair? Go for it! Want striped walls? Be our guest! But, no matter how you decorate, furnish, or set up your home office, we’ve got some tips that will help you create a space that contributes to your work-from-home success.
2. Add Privacy
If you’re fortunate enough to have a dedicated room for your office, that room probably has walls that go all the way from the floor to the ceiling and solid doors that close. That makes privacy—and quiet—easy to come by. But when your office is in, say, the corner of your bedroom, you might find it hard to separate work from home.
Consider adding a privacy divider to your home office setup. You can get traditional dividers that sit on the floor. Or you could hang a curtain from the ceiling or on a rod. Curtains are a lightweight and generally inexpensive method of “closing the door” to your office. And, with a curtain, you can choose something subtle that blends in with the rest of the decor. Or choose something wild and crazy to give your “door” some pizazz.
3. Consider Who Else Uses the Space
As you’re setting up your home office, consider who else will use it and pick the space and furniture accordingly. Will the kids also use the office for homework, and will your partner work from home, too? Consider a partner desk setup where two people can work at the same desk at the same time.
Are clients dropping by? While you could meet with them in the living room, that may not always be the best choice. Make sure you add seating and table space for clients, too.
4. Invest in Yourself
Investing in a home office setup is, in many ways, an investment in yourself. You want to create a professional environment where you will be productive and also comfortable. But, like a lot of investments, you get what you pay for. And while it may be tempting to buy the “bargain” office furniture, don’t forget about what that bargain price gets you.
“If you’re working in your home office 40 hours a week… make sure you consider quality,” advises Peggy Brown from Bush Business Furniture. “The cheapest desk won’t save you any money in the long run if you have to replace it in a year or two.”
5. Prioritize Comfort
It can be tempting to just grab a chair from the dining area when you’re working from home. But sitting at a desk for long hours without proper support for your back is a fast track to posture problems. Ergonomic office chairs offer the correct support when you’re sitting for long hours. Just like the rest of your home office furniture, investing in a supportive chair is an investment in yourself.
Brown advises home office workers to look for the following features in an ergonomic chair:
- Height adjustable
- 360-degree swivel base
- Adjustable backrest and armrest
- Adjustable seat depth
- Built-in lumbar support
