Whether you’re looking to set up a permanent home office or to designate an area of your home for work, the following home office design ideas are bound to help you create the perfect home workspace. Functionality is key for your home office, as is a space that looks and feels good to keep you focused on the tasks at hand.
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Before you begin, consider the space you want to use for your home office. Are using a previously unused corner in the living room, your bedroom or a spare room?
As always, start with a measuring tape. Plan for the dimensions of your space. Everything that can fit doesn’t mean it will fit well. Get the measurements you are working with so you can plan for correctly sized home office furniture that fits and works well within the space. Remember to also check the dimensions of doorways and hallways to ensure a safe transition of furniture.
Another note for measuring space in your home office: Don’t forget to find where outlets live on your walls. Plan to position your desk and electronic devices either close to the electrical outlets or for safe placement of extension cables. Some office desks come equipped with wire organization for safe wiring. This blog article goes over Why Measuring Your Space is Important: A How-to Guide.
Next, think about how you need to use your home office. Will it just be you, or will it need to convert into other uses for other people in your household? Do you need filing storage? How much space do you need on and in your desk to work optimally? Think about the overall functions of your home office and what you need it to do to best serve your purposes and work routine.
Make sure you’re not crowding your space with furniture so you can’t move around. You’ll likely want an easy flow of traffic around and to your desk, about 3.5 feet on the chair side. You also want to make sure that you can open your cabinets and drawers easily. Be sure to dial in on what you really need to do your work in your home office, particularly if you’re limited on space.
Budget what you want to spend on home office furniture. The key for home office furniture is to opt for well-made materials with a warranty. Comfort is also paramount. Consider where you want to splurge so you know where you may have to compromise on budget. Perhaps you require a super supportive chair so you opt for a simpler desk. Or perhaps storage of extensive files is essential to your work so you may splurge on a credenza for more workable office storage.
Next you can start planning for the essential pieces of a home office: your home office desk and the office chair! Here’s how you can select an ideal office desk and office chair so you can comfortably work from home with style.
The most considerable feature of your home office is your desk. Office desks come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, styles, materials, and colors. This is your working zone, so you want it to work for you.
Have an idea of the activities you want your home office desk to support you with so you know what to look for. For example, do you have a limited amount of space for your home office desk? Does it need to hold a full computer setup (complete with keyboard, mouse, monitor, and/or tower) or just a laptop? Do you need a lot of desk space for research or other paperwork? Do you need storage? Ask yourself these kinds of questions to identify what type of desk you require.
From there, you can start to put together an idea of how big of a desk you need and what kind of size, shape, and style will suit your needs and space.
When it comes to choosing a home office desk, definitely consider ergonomics, which brings into play both comfort and functionality.
The standard height between the floor and the desk surface is between 28”-30”, which works well for people between 5’6” and 5’11”. The key is to have a desk where you can comfortably rest your hands on the desk with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle.
Another dimension to consider for your comfort is the computer monitor level. Ideally, a computer monitor should sit between 20”-30” from your face with your eye line aligned at the top of the monitor. Keyboard height is something to consider as well if you need a desk with enough space for a full computer. The surface height of the desk may be too high for your comfort, and some desks come with a pull-out keyboard shelf at a more comfortable level.
To find the right size office chair for your home office, considering your height and weight helps you to find a well-fitted chair. Check the depth and width of your chair to ensure it fits comfortably--not too snug, not too roomy--and that your thighs run parallel to the floor.
An adjustable chair is ideal so you can personalize it as needed for a comfortable height at your desk. If it’s too low or too high, your chair can lead to poor posture and pain in your back or hips.
Tilt control is another feature to consider for supportive comfort in an office chair. It’s recommended that your office chair is able to tilt you back slightly (between 100-110 degrees) for optimal back support while seated at your desk.
Armrests help reduce strain on your neck and shoulders if used properly. If you do have armrests, make sure they’re adjustable and removable. Overall, experts recommend armrests that allow you to position your wrists so they are level with your keyboard for optimal comfort.
Overall, find a chair that offers long-term comfort and support, so think about whether a chair is too cushioned or too firm for long-lasting support or not. Some padding is good, but if it’s too soft, it may encourage slouching. Look for lumbar support specifically for chairs that support the natural curvature of the spine to reduce strain and stress on the back. A chair that fits comfortably underneath your home office desk is also a consideration.
Your home office will only be as comfortable, efficient, and productive as the office furniture inside it. So, it pays to choose wisely. It’s not unusual to have too much furniture where half of it goes under or ends up being rarely used. Therefore, the most practical and best home office furniture will be that which provides for both your comfort and productivity without blowing your budget.
The right office furniture will provide an organized, ergonomic space that can handle all the demands of your workday. A great home office is inviting, comfortable, and productive – a place you like to be!
Avoid the following six mistakes to ensure that you choose the office furniture that’s best for you and your space:
One of the biggest mistakes people make when shopping for office furniture is either overestimating or underestimating the amount of space in their office. Any empty room looks spacious, even huge until you add a desk and an office chair. Bring in shelves and a filing cabinet, and all of a sudden, it feels cramped and cluttered.
Before even looking at office furniture, measure the space and be sure to account for the door, closet, and any windows that will impact your furniture arrangement. Speaking of the windows, consider if you have an outdoor view you might enjoy and that might influence your desk placement. Measure and plan accordingly.
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As you begin your furniture search, consider the proportions of both the room and the pieces. Ensure they’re suitable for both the various demands of your work and they fit the space. Again, measurements are key.
An office that feels spacious and uncluttered is helpful for both your comfort and productivity, not to mention your mental wellbeing throughout the workday. You want to move freely from task to task without feeling cramped or confined, particularly if you receive clients.
Before you spend any money on your home office furniture, you need to identify the specific demands of your work, your typical workflow, and how you work most efficiently.
Determine how you want to use your office. How long will you use your office? How will you move about the space throughout a typical workday? How do you need to access your work and office essentials?
This knowledge can help inform the types of furniture you need and the best arrangement within your available space. For example, if you are in the digital arts, you know you may need multiple monitors and a tablet in addition to your keyboard. If you are an accountant or bookkeeper, you may need more surface space and secure storage for multiple files and documents.
It’s helpful to compile a list of your daily tasks. It may be constant keyboard work, handling paperwork or oversized documents, or frequent meetings with clients. You can’t accurately assess your furnishing needs without knowing the specific demands your furniture will need to meet.
Once you have identified the various tasks you need to accomplish every day, you’ll know how you need your office furniture to work for you and which pieces will be best. Consider how your furnishings can help you reach optimum efficiency and productivity in your work.
Do you need to share your space? Does your home office have to double as a guest room or offer multipurpose functionality? You may need to share your space with a remote working partner or spouse. If you’ve got a family, extra desk space might be handy to help kids with homework. Be sure to consider these possibilities before you begin shopping for furniture.
When choosing your desk, bookshelves and cabinets, or other surface furniture, consider the needs of any other users. Their work habits and style will also help determine the best choice of desk or table. Do the research together and collaborate on the best solution for your shared space.
Is there a need for a multifunctional space? There are great options out there to help you make the most of your space – and your budget! Suppose you need your home office to double as a guest room, for example. In that case, a Murphy bed or, even more convenient, a Murphy bed with a desk will save you valuable square footage without compromising productivity.
A simple table can double as both a work and collaboration station, great for client presentations or team strategy sessions. Utilize a file cabinet to store documents inside and the top to hold workplace essentials such as your printer and scanner.
We agree that your home office should reflect your style and sense of decor. But it can be common for office aesthetics to take precedence over ergonomics and comfort – BIG mistake!
To be efficient and productive at work, you must choose office furniture that is a good fit for your body and work demands. Ergonomics should be the top priority. From keyboard trays to your chair’s back support to the arm height of the chair, ergonomics can have a profound impact on your comfort and health, and ultimately, your contentment and productivity.
Sitting for hours on end can be detrimental to desk workers’ health and wellness. It’s not uncommon to experience pain or even injury to the back, neck, and shoulders due to extended time seated at work.
Consequently, it’s vital to choose adjustable office furniture customizable to your specific physical proportions and needs. The chair, for instance, should provide sufficient back and lumbar support. Consider your height and size and choose a desk height and chair that are in proportion. Of course, you want your office furnishings to look great, but comfort must be the priority if you’ll be sitting for hours on end each day.
Function is vitally important to your office efficiency and productivity. But, given how much time you spend in your office, it’s a much more pleasant experience every day when it reflects your style and taste.
The beauty is, there are very few rules when it comes to designing your home office. You can have a little fun with it! And, fortunately, there are lots of high-quality, functional office furniture options that will reflect your taste and style.
Create a serene, calming work environment with your choice of paint color, artwork, and other decor. Cabinets, bookcases, and shelving don’t have to be purely functional, reserved only for storing work-related journals, documents, and paperwork. Add individual touches in the way of favorite photographs, keepsakes, and potted plants, or display your children’s artwork. Your decor choices personalize the space and help foster a place that’s inviting and one where you’re more than happy to be every day.
Whether it’s contemporary, rustic, traditional, or otherwise, your office can look great and provide incredible style and comfort.
As with just about anything, you can spend a little or a lot. Know how much money you have to spend and be conscious of your budget as you research your options.
Surf websites for inspiration, but keep in mind your expenses may not end with the furniture purchase. You may still have to pay for office supplies, equipment, storage solutions, and other office essentials.
But, don’t get discouraged! There are options for just about any budget and without feeling as though you’ve settled. Just take your time and shop around – you’re sure to find the office suite that’s right for you, your work, and your style.