There are a lot of advantages to working from home, not the least of which is a 30-second commute. And while many people think working from home means you can work on the sofa, in the backyard, or even from your bed, in the end, you may find that you’re most productive at home when you work at a “proper” workstation.
The desk is the most important feature of any home office, but putting it in the wrong spot can seriously hinder productivity.
The best desk placement, is one that puts your back to a wall and gives you a view of the door, but doesn’t place you directly in line with the entrance.
In smaller spaces, the only option may be for the desk to face the wall. If that’s the case, turn that wall into a statement with an inspirational mood board or a custom mural, or hang a whiteboard with a calendar to keep important dates and notes top of mind.
Poor lighting will cause you to strain your eyes. Over time, that eye strain can cause headaches, making you less productive.
Place your desk as close to a natural light source as possible. Some like to face the window, but if that proves too distracting, put the desk perpendicular to it. If the most productive placement puts the window behind you, meaning that light will hit your monitor, add window treatments to block the glare.
When natural light isn’t possible, or you just need more light, invest in the right kinds of lamps. While you may think overhead lighting is the way to go, they can create a glare on your screen or desk, making it hard for you to see.
That said, sometimes a task lamp helps you shine a light right where you need it. Look for a task lamp with a solid shade that can point the light directly at your desk for when you need it.
Indirect light, though, may be your better lighting choice. Indirect lights have lamp shades or diffusers that soften the light, creating less glare and making it easier on your eyes. Just make sure the light isn’t too diffused; otherwise, you may not be able to see what you’re doing.
Working at home means spending a lot of time at your desk. So, you want to invest in a desk that contributes to your productivity by helping you stay comfortable all day.
“sitting all day and standing all day can cause both aches and pains or even long-term health issues.”
“With an ergonomic height adjustable desk, you can sit when you feel like it and stretch your legs when you need to by bringing your desk to standing height with a push of a button.”
Beyond eliminating aches and pains, a standing desk may improve your long-term health.
Make sure you’ve got your monitor in the “perfect” spot. That spot is different for every person, so you’ll have to experiment with placement. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. Your eyes should look slightly down when looking at the middle of the screen to help keep your neck in proper alignment. Most monitors are adjustable. But, sometimes that’s not enough, so you may need to invest in a screen riser to get the right adjustment. Or, some books can also do the trick.
Sure, Wi-Fi is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a lot of cords. Your home office is the one place you can count on cords, cords, and more cords.
Invest in some kind of cord management system. This can be as simple as a twist tie, or something a little more elegant.
Think about where the outlets are. You may not have a lot of options and find you have to run power strips and extension cords across the floor. When that’s the case, make sure you find a way to do it safely.
It can be tempting to just grab a chair from the dining area when you’re working from home.
But sitting at a desk for long hours without proper support for your back is a fast track to posture problems.
Ergonomic office chairs offer the correct support when you’re sitting for long hours. Just like the rest of your home office furniture, investing in a supportive chair is an investment in yourself.