Remote jobs have become more popular, especially as companies adjust to the post-pandemic workplace. According to Statista, 45 percent of employees are currently working fully remotely. Hence, having a good home office workspace is vital for maintaining productivity and efficiency. The first step to achieving that is to discover the best desktop setup for the home office.
There are many home office desk setup ideas on the Internet, but not every layout helps your productivity. It is important to set up your office in a way that makes you feel comfortable and inspired. Read on to find some of the best home office setup ideas and vital tips for creating your dedicated space for office work.
What Makes a Home Office Desk Setup Effective?
What makes a home office desk setup effective includes having a dedicated space, a comfortable layout, and proper lighting. The desk space should be close to a natural light source or have a desk lamp for affordable alternative lighting. There should also be ergonomic office chairs and desks. The goal is to find a desk location and layout that boosts user productivity.
Comfortable Layout
The best desk setup for home offices should have an ergonomic setup because you will have to spend long hours working on the desk space. An ergonomic setup is designed for maximum comfort in a work environment.
You may consider having an ergonomic chair and an adjustable desk. Also, ensure you place the laptop and monitor stand to achieve an eye-level height. That helps you to keep a proper posture even with long working hours.
Proper Lighting
Having proper lighting is essential for an effective home office. Proper lighting improves productivity, focus, and attention, reducing work stress and eye fatigue. To get the best of lighting, the home office should have an excellent allowance of natural light, which can be cushioned to prevent glaring. Ensure you keep the electric light source directly above the desk.
Fewer Distractions
Only work-related desk gadgets and materials, such as a computer monitor, laptop, mouse, and notebook stationery, should be present in the work area. Other desk accessories can be arranged carefully in desk drawers and shelves. That helps to achieve a desk setup free from distractions.
How to Create a Home Office Desk Setup: 5 Top Tips
Invest in Ergonomics Furniture
Poor sitting posture over a prolonged time can cause repetitive strain injury. An excellent way to avoid that is to invest in a good ergonomic desk setup. In an ergonomic layout, the chair should be positioned so that the knee and hip are at the same level, and the feet are flat on the floor. To achieve that, you have to invest in an ergonomic office chair and adjustable desk. An electric standing desk is another effective but expensive option.
Consider Power Source and Lighting for the Desk Location
The desk should be strategically placed in a location that allows for good lighting and access to a power source. The furniture placement can play a role in productivity. Too much furniture or too many distractions can be counterproductive. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the work area is organized and clutter-free.
Personalize the Workspace
Make your desk and office area feel like your own personal space by decorating it with things that make you relaxed. That helps to keep you relaxed in your workspace. This could include photos, plants, ornaments, or even just a few personal items to make the area feel more like you.
Create Storage Spaces
One of the biggest problems with home offices is that they can quickly become cluttered and unorganized. To avoid this, create storage spaces for everything. Invest in some good storage cabinets or shelves, and make sure to use them. Another issue with home offices is that they can often be quite small. This can make it difficult to work effectively. If your office is cramped, try to use space-saving furniture and organization techniques.
5 Things You Should Invest in When Designing Your Home Office Workspace
When it comes to working from home, nothing is more frustrating than not having the right tools to do the job. That’s why it’s important to set up your home office workspace with everything you need to be productive. This section provides an insight into the items you should invest in.
Technical Items to Consider
- Computer. For many people with remote jobs, the computer is where they do most of their work. They also use the computers to join live video conferences and meetings. If you are hoping to get a new computer, there are several cheap laptops for remote work. You may also consider getting a comfortable keyboard and mouse.
- External Monitor. The external monitor helps to maintain a better screen-to-eye level height. For some tech fields, it does more. For instance, an ultrawide monitor helps graphic and UX designers get better resolution and image quality while they work. Developers may find it useful especially during debugging when they have to look through long lines of codes.
- Internet Router. A strong Internet connection is a must-have if you are setting up an office as most jobs often require it. Hence, you may consider adding a network router or a wifi modem connection option.
- Wireless Mouse and Keyboard. Compared to the wired variants, a wireless mouse and keyboard are better ergonomic options. They help to increase precision and keep the desk organized without having wires running around. More so, they are better adjustable options when switching between sitting and standing desks.
- Printer. Having a multifunctional printer helps you handle several operations on the go. You can scan, make copies, and print documents from one device. It also cuts out the need of going out to a local printing shop for small printing needs.
Non-Techincal Items to Consider
- Gadget Stand. A monitor or laptop stand keeps the screen elevated to achieve better comfort and prevent accidental slips. It also raises the laptop screen to eye level which is the ergonomic standard and helps keep the desk users in good sitting posture.
- Filing Cabinet and Storage Shelves. Not all desk accessories can stay in the desk space. A desk shelf is an essential and affordable space-saving alternative for organizing your desk space as they keep files and items you would rather not have on your desk. It can also hold items like plants, arts, books, and desk lamps.
- Ergonomic Furniture. When investing in an office space, ergonomic furniture like an adjustable desk chair and a desk converter are some affordable alternatives to consider. Ergonomic office chairs and desks are essential for ensuring comfort and better productivity.
- Desk Lamp. A desk lamp is another essential piece you should have on your work desk. Not only does a good desk lamp serve as an affordable alternative to more expensive lights, but it is also essential for working in the dark.
Creating the Best Home Office Workspace
Creating an effective home office workspace can be difficult, especially for those who are surrounded by children, pets, and other distractions. However, with a bit of planning and some clever tips, you can set up a home office that works for you. You can check out beautiful design and setup ideas on the Internet to inspire you while you create a workspace that suits you.
Best Desk Setup for Home Office FAQ
First, ensure your computer has enough memory and processing power to handle the tasks you need it to do. For example, a computer for programming should have a powerful processor and plenty of storage.
While it is important to have proper lighting, you also want to avoid facing the window because of distraction and direct sunlight impeding your eyesight. Instead, of facing the window, you can keep the desk beside the window for better lighting.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best height for setting up gadgets on a desk varies depending on the person and the gadget. For starters, keep your computer screen at eye level to avoid straining your neck.
The best way to figure out what size desk you need is to measure your space and how many gadgets you want on it. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s wide enough to hold all your gadgets without taking up too much desk space.
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