To find the perfect home office location, start by looking around your home for the best natural light. If you also have a good view, this can elevate your mood and foster creativity.
A quiet area with a door or at least away from the main living areas allows for uninterrupted focus. If that's not possible, try to utilize technology, like noise-canceling headphones, to limit distractions. Additionally, ensure you have adequate space to accommodate all your work essentials, which may include:
- Desk
- Office chair
- Computer and monitors
- Printer
- Telephone
- Lamp
- Storage or shelves
- Any peripherals to promote organization and efficiency
Everyone works in different ways and will need to prioritize the supports and materials they need to do their best work. Consider the equipment you use in the course of your work to determine your space needs. For example, do you need a large desk and a printer to complete your daily tasks or can you get by with just a phone and a laptop?
During your workday, you may need to take business calls, including video conferencing, or deal with confidential paperwork. Creating physical borders between work and home can help establish expectations and maintain professionalism and a focused work environment. You can do this with doors, room dividers or curtains. You can also set mental boundaries by not using your office chair or desk outside of business hours, or by setting alarms to remind you when it's time to shift into home mode.
Setting clear boundaries with family members and investing in quality noise-canceling headphones or white noise machines can further limit distractions and help you achieve uninterrupted workflows. To keep confidential records private, buy a lockable filing cabinet and make sure your digital records are encrypted.
We spend an average of 90,000 hours at work throughout our lives, so even if you're putting in those hours from your own home, it's important to be physically comfortable when at work.3
Choose a supportive and ergonomic chair to prevent discomfort and back pain. Take time to adjust your desk and monitor heights for proper posture, reducing strain on the eyes and body. Add in some decor touches to make your home office feel less corporate and more inviting, like soft furnishings that include cushions and rugs. These can add a touch of coziness to your workspace.
For your health and wellness, it's vital to ensure that the furniture you use all day long in your home office promotes a comfortable posture. After all, a properly set up workstation can reduce pain and discomfort.4
Choose ergonomic supports, including:
- A height-adjustable desk
- An ergonomic chair with lumbar support
- A comfortable keyboard and mouse
- A monitor stand or laptop riser to keep your work at eye level
- Wrist rests and footrests to enhance comfort
If you're concerned about sitting for too long, you could also look into a standing desk, which typically costs at least $500 for a fully adjustable and height-programmable model.5 Or combine a standing desk with a walking pad to get a few hundred extra steps in each day while you work.
Not only does greenery in your home office look good, but it can also offer numerous health benefits, including reduced anxiety and stress, a greater sense of well-being and increased productivity.6 Opting for low-maintenance plants, like succulents or snake plants, ensures easy care and maintenance.
Storage solutions are essential for maximizing space within your home office. You can choose from a range of options to create the most efficient and organized office space, including:
- Shelves that use vertical space or wall-mounted organizers
- Storage boxes or filing cabinets
- Multifunctional furniture such as storage ottomans or desks with built-in drawers
Expect to spend between $1,200 and $3,900 for built-in office bookshelves or cabinets.7
Your home office is a place of work and productivity, but it's not a corporate office. That gives you more freedom to inject a little personality and individuality into your workspace. Displaying motivational quotes, artwork or photos creates a stimulating and uplifting environment. Try incorporating your favorite color scheme or decor elements that reflect your personality to create a sense of ownership.
Keep the space clutter-free and visually appealing to give you laser focus for a productive and enjoyable work atmosphere.
Position your desk near windows and maximize natural light in your home office to boost your mood and energy levels. You'll also need to incorporate adjustable lighting, which can help reduce eyestrain and fatigue and ensure you can see all your tasks.8 Avoiding harsh overhead lighting in favor of softer, diffused light sources creates a warm and inviting atmosphere more conducive to productivity. Average costs for lighting in your new home office range from $20 for a simple desktop lamp to $1,000 for a more comprehensive setup.2