Setting up your home office is no easy feat. It takes a lot of planning and research to assemble a space that keeps you inspired and motivated to work. Now that working from home seems to be the new normal, it only makes sense for professionals to see the value of having a dedicated workspace in your home. But with the plethora of options out there, where do you even start?
Also read: Tax Deductions for Remote Workers During a Pandemic
(Side note: If you don’t have the time to read the entirety of this blog post, we compiled the best products for your home office so you won’t have to Google “home office furniture near me” ever again!)
The Best Products for Your Home Office
Home Office Design Ideas: What to Keep in Mind
Working from home is an incredible perk. Aside from the obvious advantage of saving you from the hassles of everyday commute, working from home would also save you time and money and reallocate those resources to more important things. However, working from home means it’s also incredibly easy to get distracted especially when every possible distraction is within reach. To prevent this, here are a couple of things you need to keep in mind when visualizing your home office layout.
Pick a great space
Probably the most important factor to consider when designing your home office is the location. Ideally, your home office should be somewhere isolated from the rest of your house. This means that your ideal workspace should be somewhere that receives low traffic to allow you to focus on your work and spacious enough to store everything you need.
Much like physical office spaces, your home office’s location is also important. Make sure that your chosen workspace receives an ample amount of natural light, enough room for your furniture and equipment, and quiet enough for you to focus. Another important tip to remember is to never mix work and play. Unnecessary stuff like game consoles, toys, and other distractions do not belong in your home office.
Make a list of what you need
Let’s face it, the home office needs of an accountant will almost always be different from the home office needs of a real estate agent. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to your home office layout. The pieces you will buy for your workspace will depend on the type of work that you do. Before searching for home office inspiration, it’s important to make a list of the things that you need to avoid spending money on things you don’t.
Choose only the best products
This should be a no-brainer. When designing your home office, it’s important that you only choose quality products that are functional. Don’t be fooled by the convenience promised by “fast furniture” companies that offer a one-stop-shop service with offerings such as “home office furniture sets.” Que horror!
If you’re assembling a home office that ensures you stay productive, then it only makes sense to invest in furniture that makes you feel good and inspires you to work. And the only way to achieve that is by choosing premium pieces that are not only made with quality but are also built to last.
The Best Home Office Furniture
If you’re having trouble finding the best products for your home office, we got you covered! These pieces aren’t exclusive for workspaces, you can also use the same pieces when building your very own battlestation. Read on for our best home office furniture picks.
Choosing the best home office chair
Best pick: The Elea Chair by Fellowes
Innovative doesn’t even begin to describe the wonder that is the Elea Chair. The Elea Chair is made by Fellowes, a brand dedicated to providing quality home and workplace solutions. This chair boasts a patent-pending Omni-Kinetic Suspension Technology™ that seamlessly supports your body’s natural movements while sitting.
Notable features:
- Adjustable tension to customize tilt movement for posture and lumbar support
- 360-degree swivel and aluminum five-star base with multi-surface hubless casters
- Height-adjustable to reduce pressure on legs
Best value for money: Elevate Designer Task Chair by Eurotech
If you’re looking for a chair that provides excellent lumbar support, then look no further. Eurotech’s Elevate designer task chair offers a full arsenal of ergonomic adjustment features without breaking the bank.
Notable features:
- Weight balance mechanism
- Back lumbar adjustment to support your back’s natural position when sitting
- Waterfall seat to relieve pressure on the thighs and improve blood circulation
Choosing the best home office desk
Best pick: The Levado Height-Adjustable Desk by Fellowes
One thing that sets the Levado™ height-adjustable desk apart is its robust height-adjustment features for those tired of sitting down all the time. Its intuitive adjustment panels also offer four programmable memory settings to accommodate more users. Assembly is also hassle-free with its patent-pending SwiftLok design that promises a quick 90-second set up.
Notable features:
- Patent-pending SwiftLok design ensures quick assembly
- Premium FeatherLift™ technology offers a control panel to adjust the height of your desk without disrupting your work
Best value for money: The Aim Modern Desk by Special-T
The AIM™ modern desk’s contemporary design brings sophistication to spaces of all sizes. This table also features a laminate finish perfect for anyone looking for a functional yet minimalist aesthetic for their home office.
Notable features:
- Multipurpose table
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Smart design that puts focus on lateral stability and sturdiness
Other home office accessories you should consider
Desks and chairs aren’t the only things you need to assemble your home office. Check out other home office pieces you should consider.
The Best Desk Risers
A desk riser or desk converter is a tool that props up your monitor, your keyboard, and your mouse so that you can stand up while working. Desk risers/converters have been known to improve a person’s posture as well as alleviate lower back pain as a result of prolonged sitting.
Best pick: Lotus DX Sit-Stand Workstation
Best value for money: WorkFit-TS Compact Desk Converter
The Best Surge Protectors
Surge protectors protect your whole setup from unprecedented power surges. This accessory limits the voltage supplied to your equipment by keeping it within a safe threshold. If you deal with a lot of electronic devices, consider getting a surge protector.
Best pick: FlexCharge 4C
Best value for money: FlexCharge 4
The Best Shredders
Shredders are used to dispose of confidential and/or sensitive printed material. If your work deals with sensitive information such as payment details, social security, client information and the like - a shredder might be something you need.
Best pick: Powershred LX220 Micro-Cut Shredder
Best value for money: Powershred LX200 Micro-Cut Shredder
The Best Lighting Accessories
Not every nook and cranny will be exposed to natural light. If your chosen workspace receives little to no natural light, then it only makes sense to invest in lighting accessories that would aid you throughout the day.
Best pick: Amble Performance LED Task Light
Best value for money: Pixie LEDX Task Light
By no means is this a comprehensive list of the things you need when setting up your home office. As mentioned above, we all require different things based on the nature of our job. If you’re curious about other types of home office furniture, shoot us an email at hello@cornernook.co.
Until next time!
