How to Set Up the Perfect Home Office

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Remote work is becoming the new normal. The COVD-19 pandemic has forced many to work from home.

But not everyone has a spare office in their house.

So in this guide, we’ll teach you how to turn any room into a home office that you’re comfortable and productive in.

Let’s get started!

  1. Choose a Quiet Room

It’s hard to work in a noisy space. So if you can, choose the quietest room in your house for an office. It could be a guest room or the basement. Ideally, it should get little foot traffic. 

But if you must work in a living room or dining room where other people tend to be, consider getting earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to drown out the noise. 

  1. Let in Natural Light

It may seem trivial, but having natural lighting in your work space can have a huge impact on your productivity and well-being. It not only provides you with essential vitamin D but it helps you save on your electrical bill. So pick a room with large windows that face south if possible—that’s the angle at which you’ll get the most sunlight. 

As for when it’s dark outside, get warm light bulbs for a calming feel or cool light bulbs to stimulate productivity. Try a flexible LED task light for your desk. Just make sure it doesn’t cause a glare on your computer screen. 

  1. Choose Positive Colors

Believe it or not, colors influence your mood. So opt for natural, light, and airy colors when it comes to wallpaper and furniture. Green is especially good for productivity.

Of course, you don’t need to cover your whole office in one color. You can just add accents. 

  1. Enhance the Air Quality

You can’t work well in a stuffy room. So keep your air fresh by opening the windows regularly and vacuuming with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This will help clean the air. Make sure to also dust with non-toxic cleaners. 

You can even get indoor plants to help with the air quality. They’ll cycle out CO2 through photosynthesis and add to the green in your office as a bonus. 

  1. Get an Adjustable Standing Desk

More than a quarter of the US working population suffers from back pain caused by sitting for too long. To avoid this, get an adjustable desk that can alternate between sitting and standing position modes. 

If you can’t afford a motorized adjustable desk, get a standing desk on wheels that you roll away when you don’t need it or a tabletop standing desk that you can set on top of a traditional desk.

Whatever you do, you want to have a way to regularly alternate between sitting and standing to prevent back pain.

  1. Set Up Your Computer

The less time it takes to start working, the better. So set up your computer, second monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, and other devices in a way that makes it easy to get started each day. 

Keep your monitor(s) close enough so that they don’t strain your eyes and get a power surge protector to protect it and other electronics from damage in case of a power outage. 

  1. Get an Ergonomic Desk Chair

When you do sit, it’s important to sit comfortably and with good posture. Ergonomic desk chairs help you do this. They offer better back, head, and arm support with adjustable headrests and seat heights that allow you to fit the chair to your body.

If you have hard flooring, you might also benefit from a chair on wheels. Consider also adding a small footstool beneath your desk if you like to put your feet up.

  1. Get Rid of Distractions

On top of finding a quiet room, you want to make sure your office is free of all distractions. This includes TVs, pets, and perhaps even your smartphone. 

Make it a focused space. Get a “do not disturb” sign to hang on the door if you need to.

  1. Keep Things Organized

As the adage goes, cleanliness is next to godliness. Keeping your office clean and well organized will help you focus and think clearly.

Use shelves, cabinets, baskets, holders, or armoires to keep everything in its proper place. Get rid of any clutter and keep excess stuff put away in storage areas.

You also want your office to look organized and professional if you plan to ever have any guests come in. 

  1. Design With Balance

You don’t need to be an interior designer to implement good design principles like proper balance. Try to arrange furniture relatively symmetrically and keep plenty of open space if you can. 

Position your desk with its back to a wall and facing the door if possible. This puts you in a position of authority and helps you monitor anyone coming in or out.

  1. Give it Your Personal Touch

Last of all, your office should feel like home. This helps you feel more comfortable and makes you more productive as a result. 

Set up memorabilia and small reminders like family photos that keep you motivated. Hang them up on the wall or hang works of art that fit your style. You might go for an urban, art deco, country, or chic look. Whatever you do, choose a style that matches your personality. 

That’s all! Now you’re ready to get to work. While you follow these tips, you can also look online for other home office setup ideas to make the best of your work space at home.

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