In the past two years, a lot has changed within the traditional work environment – to say the least.
Data shows that 74% of professionals believe that remote work will become the new norm, with many large corporations already giving their employees the option to work from home permanently.
Nearly 61 percent of employees prefer to be fully remote – and these people will need to create a comfortable home workspace that’s separate from their living spaces.
When you have an area dedicated to your work, it will increase productivity and help you maintain a better work-life balance.
Here are some tips for creating a functional, comfortable home office for remote work.
Find the Right Home Office Furniture
Although there’s plenty to consider, few things are as important as your home office furniture. When designing a comfortable home office, these pieces will support you throughout your workday, ensuring optimal comfort and productivity.
Invest in a Great Office Chair
When you sit for long hours, few things are as important as a great office chair. Since you’ll spend most of your workday in your office chair, it is the piece of furniture subjected to the most wear and tear.
For this reason, you’ll want to stay mindful of a chair’s durability, overall quality, and ergonomics. An ergonomic office chair is designed for the human body, taking into account everything from comfort to posture.
When investing in a new desk chair, you’ll also want to stay mindful of its adjustability and level of lumbar support. The best chairs will allow you to adjust the armrests, seat height, and seat depth — all of which support optimal comfort and personalization. Ergonomic chairs also generally swivel and recline and are designed with good padding, using memory foam as a cushioned seat.
Lumbar support is a major plus, as it provides back support to your lower back. If you’re someone who sits for long periods, this feature will help prevent back pain. There are plenty of models available, so take the time to find an office chair that meets your need and budget.
Find an Office Desk That Fits Your Space – and Needs
Your desk is also a crucial component of your home office. When you can maintain an uncluttered, well-organized desk, this will help you remain focused and productive. When choosing a desk, consider the available surface area.
You should have enough surface for all of your necessary equipment, such as your laptop, monitor, etc. It should also allow you to comfortably work.
Do you have enough space to rest your arms and organize your office supplies without your desk becoming too cluttered and disorganized?
To find the best desk for you, think about the space you have available. There are many well-designed space-saving desks for small spaces, including secretary desks, corner desks, and writer’s desks. These are all great options if you only have a small space for your home office setup.
A height-adjustable standing desk is another great option for your home office setup. This type of desk will allow you to change from sitting to standing throughout the day.
Make Sure You Have Enough Office Storage Space
Office storage space is something you may not consider until you need it. When you are well-organized, everything has its place. That way, when you need something, you know exactly where to look. This step will help you improve productivity, save time, and reduce stress.
Some of the pieces you’ll want to consider for your home office should include:
- Filing cabinets
- Bookshelves
- Side tables
- Safes
These additional pieces of home office furniture will allow you to store and easily access books, paperwork, and knick-knacks so that you have more space for working.
Invest in Good Lighting
Good lighting is essential for many things, including our mood and productivity. Low lighting can lead to poor visibility, reducing efficiency. In contrast, too much lighting can be unhealthy and distracting.
That is why natural lighting is the optimal choice. It is the balance between these two extremes. Research shows that natural lighting has many benefits, including making you healthier, happier, calmer, and more focused.
Ambient lighting is the next best option if natural lighting isn’t possible. This type of lighting makes a space more comfortable, minimizing glare. When working for long periods, ambient lighting will help reduce headaches and eye strain, especially when looking at a computer screen all day.
Simply adding a floor lamp, desk lamp, or table lamp can do a lot to add warmth to a space. This addition is also important for video conference calls, as you’ll want optimal lighting when speaking to clients, co-workers, management, etc.
Get the Right Gear
Once you have selected office furniture that meets your needs, you’ll want to consider what tech and gadgets will improve your work environment. When working from home, tools like computer monitors, Bluetooth headphones, keyboards, and computer mice can make an office space more comfortable and functional.
Some individuals find it beneficial to have a separate work computer to better focus, avoiding distracting apps and websites they frequent after hours. Having a dedicated office setup also helps you separate your work life from your personal life, which is important when working from home.
There are also plenty of great accessories to consider to help you focus better. From laptop stands to monitor mounts, these accessories will make your workspace less cluttered and more ergonomic.
Here are some examples:
- Laptop stand – Laptop stands have many benefits, including increased comfort and productivity. When you can keep an open posture, not staying hunched over your screen, you can improve circulation, helping you achieve better focus.
- Monitor mount – If you want to set your chair to the most comfortable height, why not have the same level of customization for your monitor? With a monitor mount, you can adjust the height, depth, and sometimes, the monitor’s angle. Taking this step will help you minimize neck strain.
- Bluetooth headphones – Looking for the best sound quality without the wiring? Bluetooth headphones are an optimal solution. You can even find multipoint Bluetooth pairing headphones, allowing you to switch between devices,
- External keyboard – If your job involves a lot of typing, which most at-home positions do, an external keyboard can provide a much better typing experience while reducing strain on your neck, hands, and eyes. Think about trying a wireless keyboard for more mobility.
- External computer mouse – When using an external mouse, you benefit from comfort and convenience. Plus, if you work from home, you often have the freedom to take your work elsewhere. An external mouse is ideal for traveling. It is portable, reliable, and convenient – especially if you’re considering a wireless mouse.
- External microphone – Whether you’re often on conference calls or have a podcast, an external microphone offers higher sound quality.
Extra Workspace Comforts
Most of the components discussed above focus on functionality and productivity. However, it’s also important to make your home office somewhere you enjoy spending time. Consider some extra niceties to maximize comfort.
- Essential oil diffuser – A diffuser will allow you to enjoy essential oils that help you relax, achieve greater clarity, improve focus, and more. Plus, they smell great.
- Area rug – A rug can really elevate the look and feel of a room with minimal effort. Choose a rug that’s reflective of your personality and style.
- Plants – The benefits of office plants are nearly endless. Adding a bit of life to your workspace can increase creativity and reduce stress.
- Chair massager – If you want to take comfort levels to new heights while supporting optimal circulation, invest in a chair massager.
- Wall art – Adding art you love to your office walls can instantly boost your mood and enhance the room’s overall ambiance.
Start With Your Office Chair
Creating a comfortable home office takes some time and planning. If you’re going to start anywhere, invest in a good chair. Remember, you will be spending most of your time in your office chair, which is why you want it to be comfortable, durable, and ergonomic.
Here are some suggestions to guide you in the right direction. These chairs are quality chairs you can depend on.
- All33 BackStrong C1: Looking for a vegan leather chair that offers high-quality materials, padding seating, and adjustability? The BackStrong C1 is a perfect choice. Read more about this innovative office chair. Price: $799.
- Herman Miller Embody: Designed for nonstop wellness with the help of over 30 physicians, the Herman Embody Chair is proven to improve circulation. This chair also comes with a 12-year warranty. Price: $1,595.
- Secretlab TITAN Evo: The Secretlab TITAN Evo combines multiple technologies and innovative designs. Price: $449.
- Steelcase Leap: You can build the Steelcase Leap chair based on your personal preferences. Select the chair height, upholstery material, headrest, wheels, and more. Price: $979.
- Herman Miller Sayl: Sayl’s design leverages simple materials, creating a high-quality high-performing chair. Price: $595.
- Branch Ergonomic Chair: The Ergonomic Chair by Branch features seven adjustment points to support a range of body shapes and sizes. Price: $299.
- Steelcase Gesture: The Gesture is inspired by the movement of the human body, offering a range of postures and 360 arm movements. Price: $1,199.
- NeueChair: The NeueChair is engineered to be the ultimate modern chair, focusing on ergonomics, flexibility, innovation. Price: $549.