Whether you work at home full-time, part-time, or use your office for home management work, it might need some upgrades. Creating an inviting, organized, functional, and comfortable space can lead to increased productivity and overall work enjoyment. It can also reduce common office-related ailments such as back, shoulder, neck, and wrist pain. You may just need a few minor changes or a plan for an overhaul of your space!
Where You Sit and Work
The main components of your home office are your desk and chair. There are many styles of each, and both require some thought about how you best work. Think about what you are using currently or in past work situations. What has worked well, and what could be improved?
10 Popular Types of Desks For Your Home Office includes styles such as writing, computer, corner, floating, executive, and standing. When selecting a desk, think about what computer equipment and supplies it will hold. Do you prefer to sit or stand while working? Do you work best with minimal, uncluttered space or like to spread out your work? Keep in mind that your desk doesn’t need to be the only piece of furniture that stores everything you need! It can simply be a functional workspace, and your supplies and file storage can happen in separate cabinets or shelving units.
There is a large variety of desk chairs to consider, too. The 14 Types of Office Chairs for your Desk list includes executive, heavy-duty, ergonomic, mesh, kneeling, gaming, and active chairs. Each one has a range of prices and features. If you experience back and shoulder pain from sitting at your desk, it is worth looking into ergonomic features for each style. Or, look for one specifically designed to accommodate all your posture needs, such as adjustable seat, tilt functions, lumbar support, and back/neck rests. Active chairs, including wobble or balance balls, address health issues related to sitting at your desk all day by incorporating movement. They are also helpful for high-energy people who struggle with sitting still for long periods.
The Office Ambiance
It is worth the time, effort, and money to create an inviting office that feels good to be in all day. If you work from home all day and spend most of your time in this space but dread being there, it is not very motivating.
Some simple upgrades you can make to improve the look and feel of your office include changes to your lighting, adding artwork, inspiring quotes, or photographs, and all the benefits of adding plants. You can also regulate the air temperature, smell, and quality with heaters, fans, diffusers, candles, dehumidifiers, or air purifiers.
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Storing All the Things
Office supplies can be fun to buy and can also take over without proper storage solutions. The home office also tends to be where paperwork for work and home ends up. You also may store other essentials in our office, like calendar events, ideas, and to-do lists.
Storage options for files, supplies, and paperwork include:
- Filing cabinets.
- Hanging shelves.
- Decorative storage boxes.
- Pegboards.
- Bookshelves with baskets.
- Wire baskets.
- File folder racks and holders.
- Desk accessory organizers.
- Movable storage centers.
Pinterest can be a helpful tool for visualizing what you want your storage solutions to look like and accomplish!
Even if you use a digital calendar, it is helpful to have a hanging or desk calendar to jot down important dates or upcoming deadlines. A whiteboard, bulletin boards, or chalkboards can be helpful to keep to-do lists, ideas, important papers, or inspirational quotes front and center.
Maintaining Good Health
Sitting at your desk for long periods can cause body pain. It can also lead to other health issues, including vascular problems, weight gain, heart disease, and even cancer. There are several ways to mitigate these risks and keep your body moving throughout the day. Keep exercise equipment such as a yoga mat, treadmill, or an under-the-desk elliptical machine in your office. Find a fun desk timer and set it to go off throughout the day as a reminder to get up, take a break, and move.
Equipment Upgrades
With the increase of video calls in our daily work lives, having quality speakers and cameras has become necessary for most home offices. Upgrades to your screen may include a new, larger, and higher-quality monitor or adding a dual monitor system. You may also want to consider an ergonomic keyboard, mouse, and wrist pads.
Ensuring that everything is charged and plugged in without creating a tangle of cords is also a helpful task for your home office. Charging stations, surge protectors, and cable management systems will keep everything humming and organized.
Even a tiny upgrade to your home office, like adding a few plants, can make a big difference in how you feel when you walk into your space. Ensuring that you have all the home office equipment and features you need to be productive, healthy, and motivated may take some planning and saving, but it is a worthwhile goal!