What Makes the Best Home Office?

More teams are shifting to remote and hybrid work from home to combat the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has allowed employees and employers alike to realize increased productivity compared to working in a traditional office space in many cases.

This has led to the need to put together a list of ideas to help people choose the right setup to equip their remote working opportunities.

Check out this blog post for ideas on how to build the best home office.

Tips for building the perfect home office

home office

Comfortable equipment is at the top of the list for building a good home office. You will be spending long hours at your desk and computer. Thus, the right equipment can make a difference in improving productivity.

Invest in comfortable furniture

A comfortable chair is the focal point of a productive and comfortable home office. Investing in a good choice will significantly affect your work life.

However, it can be challenging to select the right chair. Prices can range wildly from $40 for a basic chair to hundreds of dollars for a high-end chair.

When looking for the right fit, look at the back, thigh and arm support. Also, consider the options of materials and warranties on offer.

Use a second monitor

A second monitor will get you closer to increased productivity. It will make it easier to code, design, type, and research, in addition to a slew of other multi-tasking activities.

If you do not like juggling applications on your computer screen, a second display should be at the top of your list. Tech experts advise buying a similar model to your existing setup for the best results such as the same screen fidelity and experience.

Get a good mouse and keyboard

While often ignored, a mere mouse and keyboard play a crucial part in the productivity and comfort of your home office.

Experts recommend using mechanical keyboards that have clicky keys and give a lot of feedback. Despite their noise levels, they offer a comfortable typing experience that is unparalleled. Writers and coders will especially enjoy mechanical keyboards.

When it comes to the mouse, choose a larger option that fits comfortably in your hand. Gaming mice are particularly ergonomic and accurate but they tend to be pricey. Experts advise avoiding small travel mice which can be uncomfortable to use for long periods.

Consider an adjustable desk

A growing body of research shows that sitting for extended periods is bad for one’s health. This is the main reason why the new generation of workers is embracing standing and adjustable desks.

An adjustable desk, while a bit expensive, will not magically transform your health. Rather, it will improve your heart health, focus, and productivity in addition to alleviating back pain.

If you are not inclined to buy an adjustable desk, consider a standing desk extender which is also height-adjustable and cheap.

The extender also allows you to convert are surface into a standing desk. This makes it ideal for setting up your home office for the first time because you can try it out at different places to find what works best for you.

Bring in some plants

Green plants will add a dash of color to your home office while increasing happiness and reducing stress. Instead of going for any green plants, pick an option that is low maintenance and can improve air quality.

Examples of greenery that are particularly well known for their air filtering capabilities include the Boston fern, the spider plant, dracaena and Ficus.

Good cable management

No one wants to work in a space that is covered by tangled cords and cables. Basic cable management can go a long way to improving the aesthetic of your office.

It is also cost-efficient because one only needs a few zip ties, clamps and clips to manage any messy wires.

High-speed internet

If your home internet service is subpar, consider switching to an internet provider and installing a Wi-Fi router before creating a home office. It is easy to get distracted by slow internet which disrupts a coherent workflow.

For a strong Wi-Fi signal, place your Wi-Fi router at the center of the house and high off the ground. Make sure there is no clutter or devices around it which can disrupt the signals.

What makes a productive home office?

home office requirements

Every home office setup needs;

  • An office desk.
  • An office chair.
  • Lighting.
  • A computing device
  • A computer monitor
  • A keyboard and mouse
  • Office supplies
  • Storage
  • A surge protector

Conclusion

A good home office can be the difference between hours of distraction and improved productivity in the home office environment.

Having the right furniture, storage options, enough lighting, and the right working equipment can result in a productive work environment within your home office.

Do some research on the internet to see what other people have done with their home offices. This will help you visualize what would work well for your own home office.

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