How to create the perfect home office
If you regularly work from home like me, having the right office space can enhance your focus, increase productivity levels, and ensure your physical wellbeing. Setting up a work environment can help you achieve all this, while providing a dedicated work space that is separate from your personal one.
In this article, I’ll be discussing how you can create the perfect home office to ensure you can work comfortably and efficiently.
Step 1: Think about the layout
Layout is much, much more important than you might realise. When you think about where everything is going (for feng shui purposes, of course) and buy furniture that fits the space well, your office will work more efficiently, AND be a nice environment to work in.
So many people skip this step and head straight for buying a new laptop. But before you blow your budget on a £2k MacBook, think about how your office will work for you.
Do you need lots of storage for physical paperwork and documents, including filing cabinets or shelving? Do you need a desk space that works for two people if both you and your partner will use the office? These kinds of questions are imperative at this stage so you can get the layout right without having to shift it all around in 6 months.
Step 2: Invest in ergonomic furniture
As you’ll be spending a lot of time in your office, it’s important to invest in comfortable and ergonomic furniture that will contribute to your health and overall wellbeing. A cheap chair won’t do anyone any favours, and you’ll only end up with back and neck pain that distracts you while you work.
I’d recommend that you buy an ergonomic home office chair that’s been specifically designed to reduce aches and pains while you work and that supports your body properly. Think about the material that chair is made of (a mesh back is usually much more comfortable than foam, for instance) and consider other add-ons, like whether you want castors, arm rests, head rests, etc.
And don’t fall for ergonomic chairs that aren’t actually ergonomic. They should be fully adjustable, allowing you to adjust the arm rest height, the seat depth and tilt, the recline function, and more. Don’t fall for these commonly made office chair mistakes.
An adequate backrest and lumbar support really supports your back and will reduce any aches and pains that come with sitting in a chair for 7 hours a day, and might actually increase your productivity at work.
Step 3: Think about practical lighting
Lighting can be tricky to get right in an office. Of course you want as much natural light as possible, with additional lighting around the room that you can control, but without getting glare on your screen that makes you squint all day long.
I think the best compromise is to place your desk relatively near a window, but to have the window in front of you, not behind you where it could reflect light onto your screen. Natural light can make you feel more energised, and some studies suggest that vitamin D improves your sleep and boosts your mood. So get it where you can!
Besides natural light, you might also want some task lighting around the room so you can alter the light depending on the task you’re doing. An overhead light could be good to help you see your keyboard or notes properly, but can be a bit bright.
In this instance, place a couple of lamps around your home office for occasional use. You can even be fancy and use a switch system so you don’t have to get up everytime you want to turn one on — just use the remote.
Finally, a table lamp for your desk is essential to ensure you aren’t putting too much pressure on your eyes or overworking them.
Step 4: Invest in practical tech
Some people work with just a laptop and are happy. Others (like me) need multiple screens and a wireless keyboard and mouse to feel like I can work properly.
But any tech that makes you more productive is beneficial, so consider what will genuinely help you in your working day.
Using just one screen can be difficult at times. Investing in a second monitor can make your tasks so much easier, whether that be writing, designing or researching. If you hate switching between windows, an additional screen is the perfect solution.
If you are working on a laptop, having a separate keyboard and wireless mouse can make all the difference too. I always find that my laptop isn’t high enough, so I use a screen raiser to heighten it. But then I can’t reach my keyboard/mouse. So I have separate wireless ones that can sit on the desk.
These devices will help you keep the right posture while working, lowering the risk of developing muscoskeletal disorders and joint pain. Having a little more flexibility and comfort can increase productivity and make the working day more bearable.
Alternatively, invest in a standing desk so you can stand and work.
Other pieces of equipment you might find handy include:
- Webcam
- Laptop stand
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- A USB hub to keep all your plugged-in devices in one place
- A monitor arm
- A tablet (for design work or as an additional working device).
Step 5: Avoid unnecessary distractions
While the majority of people appreciate the ease and freedom that comes with working from home, one of the major downsides is the distractions coming from other people, or sinply from what we have around us.
While distractions from other people are more difficult to manage, you can easily minimise the ones that derive from your environment. For example, avoid installing a TV in your office as this is bound to make you lose focus, and it’s good practice to keep the desk and the room where you are working as tidy as possible.
However, to mazimise productivity it’s also important to take regular breaks. Five minutes away from your office can make wonders for your brain, keeping you feeling energised and giving you a deadline for the tasks you are carrying out.
Step 6: Add some personality
Now for the fun part. You have your layout and your furniture sorted, you’ve got all the right lighting in place and you’ve got your tech. It’s finally time to add some personality and make your office feel a little more like you.
Artwork, prints or photographs you genuinely love are a great place to start. Think pieces that inspire you, make you smile, or simply feel calming when you glance up from your screen. I have a large print above my desk that is the entire book of Wuthering Heights fit onto one piece of paper, but I also have a print that says “Smile more, worry less” which makes me happy.
Don’t be afraid to bring in colour, texture and character through accessories either. A favourite lamp, a textured rug underfoot, stylish storage, or even a scented candle can all help your office feel less clinical and far more inviting.
Step 7: Make it green
Inject some life into your office space with some lush green plants. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they act as natural air purifiers and contribute to increased concentration levels. Plants are also great for relieving stress and anxiety and can help break up those hectic periods you may experience between meetings.
There are so many plants to choose from, too, and they all have different benefits. You can also find plants that are really easy to maintain, so you won’t have to worry too much about their upkeep.
Creating the perfect home office isn’t about copying a Pinterest-perfect space or buying the most expensive kit you can find. It’s about building an environment that genuinely supports the way you work, day in and day out. When your space is comfortable, practical and thoughtfully put together, it stops draining your energy and starts giving something back.
A well-designed home office can help you feel more focused, more motivated and far less worn out at the end of the day. It encourages better posture, healthier working habits and clearer boundaries between work and home life, something that’s more important than ever when your commute is measured in steps rather than miles.
Most importantly, your office should feel like a place you want to sit down in each morning, not one you reluctantly tolerate.
