Home Office Setup: A Guide

Working from home has become the new normal for many people, and creating a dedicated home office space can help improve productivity and efficiency. Whether you have a spare room to convert or just a corner of your bedroom or living room, there are several ways to create a functional home office.

First, consider the purpose of your home office and how much space you require. If you work in a quiet and private environment, a separate room or garden office may be best. If you need to keep an eye on children, an underused dining room or space near the kitchen might be more suitable.

Next, think about the practicalities. How much desktop space, storage, and printing capacity do you need? Do you require peace and quiet, or can you work with background noise? Do you need access to books or samples?

When choosing a location, consider your working style and the nature of your work, as well as the needs of those you live with. If possible, position your desk near a window to benefit from natural light, and invest in a good lamp to reduce eye strain.

To save space, consider a fold-away or wall-mounted desk, or opt for a ladder desk to maximise vertical space. You can also use walls creatively by painting them with blackboard paint for notes and calendars.

Invest in a good office chair that provides proper support for your back, and make sure your monitor is at eye level to maintain a neutral spine position.

Finally, add some personal touches to inspire and motivate you. Hang a DIY mood board or some colourful wallpaper, or display some artwork or plants.

Choose a location that suits your working style

When designing a home office, the first and most important thing to consider is where your home office should be located. This decision should be informed by your working style, the nature of your work, and the needs of the people you live with.

If your work requires a quiet and private environment, a garden office, garage conversion, or loft conversion would be ideal. These options offer seclusion and enable you to focus without distractions. On the other hand, if you run a small business from home while also caring for children, you may prefer a workspace near the kitchen or sitting room. An under-used dining room could be transformed into a functional office space, or you could opt for a cupboard workstation.

For those without much extra space, a spare bedroom or corner of a bedroom or living space can be transformed into a suitable home office with careful planning. Consider built-in joinery or bespoke furniture to maximise the available space, especially if your office is in a busy area of the home.

If you have the luxury of a dedicated room, ensure it has solid doors for privacy and noise reduction. If your office is in a shared space, such as a bedroom or living room, you can add a privacy divider, curtain, or room divider to create a sense of enclosure.

Additionally, think about the level of noise and disruption you can tolerate. If you require a quiet environment, a separate room or garden office may be best. However, if you don't mind background noise, a corner of the kitchen or dining room could suffice.

By thoughtfully choosing the location of your home office, you can create a functional and comfortable workspace that suits your unique working style and needs.

Invest in the best desk for your budget

When designing your home office, it's important to invest in the best desk you can get for your budget. The best desk for your home office will depend on how much space you have available in the room. Your desktop should be big enough to accommodate your laptop or computer, while giving you space to take notes or sort files.

A corner desk can be a great option as it allows you to split the workstation into two: one side for the computer and the other for paperwork. However, integrated storage pillars, while useful, will dictate where you can sit and may affect your ability to achieve a comfortable working position. If you want to be more mobile, a standing desk is worth considering.

Some desks have handy wire channels to keep your cables neatly out of the way. If your chosen desk does not have this feature, you will need to consider the placement of the desk to ensure a neat and safe connection to plug sockets.

If you're working with a tight budget, there are some creative solutions you can explore. For example, you could purchase a wide plank from a hardware store, stain or paint it, and put it on crates. You could also find a cheap coffee table at a yard sale and paint it, or turn a closet into your office. If you need to save space, consider investing in a desk on wheels that can be moved into a corner when not in use.

When choosing a desk, it's important to prioritize your comfort and ergonomics. Make sure your desk is the right height for you and that you have enough space to move around. Investing in a good desk will contribute to your productivity by helping you stay comfortable throughout the workday.

Pick a great office chair

Picking a great office chair is essential for creating a functional home office. Here are some tips to help you choose the best one:

Support and Comfort:

Start by prioritizing comfort and support, especially if you'll be sitting for long hours. Look for an ergonomic design with features like a 360-degree swivel base, an adjustable backrest, adjustable armrests, adjustable seat depth, and built-in lumbar support. Your chair should provide correct back support to prevent posture problems.

Match the Room's Style:

While comfort is key, you can also choose a chair that matches the rest of the room's furniture and decor. Opt for a swivel chair so you can adjust it to the right height, and consider the overall style of the chair to ensure it suits the look of your space.

Invest in Quality:

Remember that your home office setup is an investment in yourself. While it may be tempting to opt for bargain furniture, consider the long-term benefits of investing in quality pieces. A good office chair will last longer and provide better support, so you don't have to replace it soon.

Swivel and Adjustability:

Go for a swivel chair as it allows you to adjust the height to match your desk and your preferred sitting position. Additionally, look for adjustability in the backrest, armrests, and seat depth to ensure you can customize the chair to your body and comfort needs.

Material and Upholstery:

Consider the material and upholstery of the chair. Real leather or high-quality faux leather can provide a sophisticated look and is easy to clean. Alternatively, fabric upholstery can offer a softer and more comfortable feel but may require more maintenance.

Try Before You Buy:

If possible, test out different office chairs before making a purchase. Sit in the chair for a while to ensure it provides adequate support and comfort. Check if the height, armrests, and lumbar support can be adjusted to your liking.

By following these tips, you'll be able to pick a great office chair that not only looks good but also provides the necessary comfort and support for long workdays.

Banish clutter with comprehensive office storage

Clutter is at its most distracting in the home office, so it's important to keep the space as tidy as possible, with all important paperwork easily accessible. Choose home office storage that is both functional and stylish and will encourage you to keep everything where it should be.

If you're short on space, consider using small shelves. Whether you put a small shelving unit on your desk or hang a shelf on the wall above, take advantage of vertical space for storage of papers, notes, glasses, and any other things you need daily for work. You can also repurpose items you already own, such as mugs, cups, vases, and even tin cans, as storage for tools and utility items like pens, scissors, paper clips, and thumb drives.

If you have a little more room to play with, a cupboard workstation could be a good option. Alternatively, if you're able to build something bespoke, you can specify how many power points you want and where cables need to go, ensuring you factor in lighting, computers, printers, a TV, music system, and charging points.

If you're looking for something in between these two options, there are plenty of ready-made comprehensive storage solutions to choose from. A simple cubby system with small bins could work, or you could get a rolling cart for storage that moves where you need it.

Get home office lighting right

Getting the lighting right in your home office is essential for creating a productive and comfortable workspace. Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect lighting setup:

Utilize Natural Light

Take advantage of natural light by positioning your desk near a window to benefit from the daylight. Natural light can improve your productivity and create a pleasant work environment. Skylights or windows with a view can also help reduce eye strain. If possible, position your desk sideways to a window to avoid direct sunlight causing glare on your screen. You can also try using solar shades, blinds, or a standing screen to diffuse the sunlight.

Create Task Lighting

For focus-intensive tasks like computer work or paperwork, ensure you have a dedicated light source that illuminates your workspace effectively. An adjustable desk lamp can be useful for directing light exactly where you need it. If your home office has multiple workstations, set up task lighting for each area.

Eliminate Glare and Shadows

Consider the placement of your light sources to avoid glare and unintended shadows. Avoid placing a light source behind you when working on a computer, as it will create glare on your monitor. Similarly, if you write with your right hand, avoid placing a task light on the right side to prevent your hand and arm from casting shadows.

Keep Office Lights Indirect

Instead of working under direct overhead lights, diffuse the ambient light in your office space. Lampshades and upward-shining floor lamps can help scatter and soften the light, illuminating the entire space without creating harsh glare or contrast. The goal is to avoid casting shadows while providing sufficient lighting for your tasks.

Add Decorative Lighting

In addition to functional lighting, you may want to incorporate decorative and accent lighting to enhance the visual appeal of your home office. Accent lighting, such as picture lights, draws attention to specific elements in the room, while wall sconces provide direct visual appeal.

Choose the Right Light Level

The ideal light level for your workspace is important for both comfort and concentration. The European standard DIN EN 12464-1 recommends an illumination of 300 lux for the direct surroundings and 100 lux for aisles and corridors in a home office. To achieve this, use LED lamps with at least 600 lumens for 300 lux and 1,000 lumens for 500 lux.

Lighting Colour Temperature

The colour temperature of your lighting can also impact your workspace. Lighting with a colour temperature of at least 4,000 Kelvin is recommended for a study or home office. Bright light with a high blue content keeps you alert and supports concentration.

Frequently asked questions