Setting up a home office for the first time is a process that can seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t have much money to spend on the project. Fortunately, there are several ways to set up a comfortable, productive office space, no matter what your bank account looks like. Focusing on the basics like a good desk, a quality office chair, adequate lighting, and pleasing decor is key. Here are some of the top tips you can use to create your dream home office on just about any budget.
Choose a Good Desk
Arguably, the most important decision you’ll make when creating your home office is what kind of desk to use. The right desk will depend on the size of your home office, the type of work you’re doing, and the equipment you need to keep handy for your work. Two very important factors to consider when choosing your desk are height and storage space. Your computer needs to sit at a comfortable height in order to prevent potential muscle strain. You also need enough drawers and shelves for papers, binders, and other basic office supplies.
Needless to say, desks can be quite expensive. If you’re setting up a home office on a tight budget, consider buying a secondhand desk that has the features and space you need. Buying a used desk can help you find a high-quality piece of furniture for a much lower price than a comparable new desk.
Invest in a High-Quality Office Chair
While your desk may be the most important piece of furniture in your home office, your office chair is the one you shouldn’t cut corners on. A good desk chair makes all the difference between a day of productive work and a day spent trying to get comfortable. For this reason, you should invest in an ergonomic chair that offers plenty of back support and lets you sit comfortably for eight hours each day.
The best office chairs will offer a good mix of comfort, ergonomics, and attractive design — all without being too expensive. With that said, it makes sense to spend a bit more on a good chair in your home office. Unlike desks, it’s usually not a good idea to buy your chair secondhand. While you can find good used chairs occasionally, it’s often better to buy a new desk chair to ensure you get an office chair in the best possible condition.
Take Lighting into Account
Lighting is extremely important in a home office, particularly now that video calls have become a mainstay of remote working. When setting up your office space, it’s important to think about how well lit the room is. Ideally, you should try to find a place for your desk that offers plenty of light to work by and has a source of natural light to illuminate your face during video calls. In many cases, getting your lighting right is completely free and simply involves trying different spots in the room until you find the right one.
With that said, you can invest a bit in lighting if your office doesn’t have the natural light you need. A simple lamp or two should be more than enough to provide you with extra light. If your lighting is poor for video calls, be sure to invest in a table lamp you can place behind your computer.
Consider Noise Control
If you have kids or other people in the house, noise could be a major impediment to reaching maximum productivity. Before you start using your home office, you may want to consider some minor soundproofing to help block out external noises. Basic changes like installing a solid door and caulking around vents and electrical boxes can work wonders when it comes to blocking out sound. If noise is a serious problem in your home, you might even consider buying some basic acoustic tiles to absorb some of the sound coming in from outside.
Add a Few Live Plants
One of the cheapest yet most effective ways to optimize your home office is to bring some live plants into your working space. Live plants make your office brighter and more vibrant — all while costing very little. Best of all, plants tend to help workers maintain a good mood throughout the day and improve overall productivity. Some studies have shown that workers in offices that contain live plants are up to 15 percent more productive.
Use Paint and Decor to Finish Your Design
With the basic elements in place, you can finish off your home office by painting and decorating it. Neutral and warm colors are usually best for creating a relaxing office environment. You can also add nice curtains, some favorite decor pieces, and a few hanging photographs or prints to finish the space. Your office decor doesn’t need to be expensive, but it should make the space feel more personalized.
Whether you’re working on a tiny budget or have plenty of money to invest in your office, these tips will help you set up a good working space at home. Once your office is set up with the basics of desk, chair, and lighting, you can make small adjustments to optimize and improve it.
