Setting up a comfortable yet functional workspace in your home has always been important for those who work remotely.
But for many, creating a productive environment that separates work from homelife takes some thought.
So, here are several tips for designing the home office of your dreams—without spending a fortune.
Put Your Home Office in the Right Space
When creating a home office, many people simply place it in an area that’s available or away from the kids. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, the best option is to really think about where you can situate your office so that you can be as productive as possible.
One rule of thumb is to place your office far away from where you sleep. Studies have shown that having a home office separate from your living space is ideal. If that’s not entirely possible, making sure your office has a door that you can close at the end of the day is a good alternative.
Find the Perfect Home Office Desk
Depending on the type of work you do, the ideal desk space will vary from person to person. You don’t have to replicate your company’s entire environment, but you should be able to find a home office desk that’s ergonomically sound. Having a pull-out tray for your keyboard or the ability to adjust the desk’s height will help your posture and your overall productivity.Some of the best desks available include the Mcglothin Compact Desk from Wayfair. This modern desk features a sliding keyboard tray for comfortable typing, and it costs less than $150.
For just a few more dollars, you can invest in a Flexispot Electric Height Adjustable Desk. In addition to offering enough space for your computer and other necessities, this $300 desk moves up or down with the push of a button, making it easy to select just the height that’s right for you. It even converts into a standing desk. And standing desks are thought to improve heart health, help you burn more calories and increase productivity.
Don’t Skimp on an Office Chair
Perhaps the most important equipment in any work from home setup is your home office chair. Since you’ll be in it for eight or more hours each day, finding one that properly supports your back is vital.
Office Depot has sturdy yet affordable office chairs at different price points. The Brenton Studio Jaxby Mesh/Fabric Mid-Back Task Chair features a comfortable and breathable mesh back. You can also adjust the height and tilt of the chair easily for maximum comfort.
If you want to go for something a bit more extravagant, the Serta iComfort i5000 Series Bonded Leather High-Back Big & Tall Chair should fit the bill. Yes, the company you may know from their mattresses also makes office chairs. This chair comes in bonded leather with an ergonomic high back, and the reviews confirm a high comfort level you’d imagine would come from a premier mattress company.
Choose a Laptop if You’re Inclined to Move Your Office Around the House
If you’re using a desktop computer in your home office, either the all-in-one Apple iMac, featuring a 21.5-inch screen, or the Dell Insprion 24 5000, with a 24-inch screen, will do nicely. The Dell starts at about $650 while the Apple begins at $1100.
Did you know that Apple also sells factory refurbished iMacs on their website for less than $1,000? If you have your heart set on a Mac, this is a great way to make sure it fits into your budget.
A laptop is also an excellent option for your home office, allowing you to work at your desk, on the couch or in the kitchen. Dell Inspiron laptops come in a variety of screen sizes and are priced as low as $280.
HP also sells a selection of laptops for growing businesses at different price points. The HP Chromebook is the company’s most affordable laptop, but keep in mind that this line is somewhat limited in terms of power, speed and software.
Don’t Forget to Choose a Reliable Printer When Working from Home
For your printing needs, HP offers affordable, all-in-one printers. The OfficeJet 5255 is the ideal combination of functionality and price for color printing, while the HP LaserJet Pro MFP M148dw is a reliable, yet budget-friendly, LaserJet printer.
Brother printers are another good option, as their all-in-one MFC-J815DW XL INKvestment TANK can hold an ink supply that lasts up to two years.
Ensure You Have a Strong Wi-Fi Connection in Your Home Office
You likely have Wi-Fi in your home, but you’ll want to ensure a strong signal for your home office. The Netgear AC1200 WiFi Mesh Extender will allow you to extend your internet network capability wherever you work inside your home so you don’t drop any important video calls or find yourself offline at critical times.
With your ideal desk, chair, computer, printer and Wi-Fi extender, you should be well-equipped to get some serious work done in your home office.
