How To Set Up And Style A Home Office
This topic probably needs minimal introduction since working from home is now a very current and decidedly ‘normal’ theme. Many of us simply pull out the laptop and sit at the dining room table or the kitchen bench. With working-from-home becoming more and more prevalent in the current climate, we look at how to set up and style a home office that works. A space that is functional and private, that allows you to work in the same way you would at an actual office.
There are several things you will need. Unfortunately for your posture and overall wellbeing, sitting at the kitchen bench or the dining table isn’t going to work as a long term option. Not only will you end up with some hefty chiropractor bills but mentally we need to separate work life from home life for adequate balance. If you can’t leave the house to go to an office, you certainly need your brain to think you are in an office space at the very least. This way when you move away from your home office, your mind kicks back into family mode and you don’t leave one foot figuratively in work mode.
The Office Desk
A dining table is not an office desk. The breakfast bar is not an office desk. A console table is definitely not an office desk. Get yourself a desk that’s actually made to be a desk. One that is the right height, depth and width required to house all your working tools. If it’s going to be in front of a window, you may want it to have a back panel to hide cords from passers-by. If it’s against a wall, you might want to consider a cord hole in the corner to feed your wiring through neatly.
Above all, make sure it’s a work surface that can withstand scratches, dents, smudges and liquids unless you’re all about the ‘lived in’ look. Wood is always a great option to disguise all manner of weathering. You may prefer a neater or more executive approach with a leather woven-in surface surrounded by wood panelling. Otherwise, you really can’t go past the standard black or white laminate that is super low maintenance and easy to wipe clean.
The Office Chair
Perhaps the most critical item for setting up a home office is a decent and comfortable chair. Not one you sink into as though you’re about to binge watch Friends, or one that is so pert and upright that you could be mistaken for being at the dentist. You need a chair that is purpose made for a desk and which offers ergonomic support. You will be potentially sitting in it for hours at a time, so support is the number one factor.
Some people like leather, some prefer fabric seating. There are certainly plenty on the market which cater for just about everyone. There are chairs with super lumbar support options as well as the basic chairs that are on wheels and swivel. You can pretty much get an office chair ranging from $25 through to $1000 depending on what you want and where you’re shopping. It’s definitely a very important choice and typically you get what you pay for.
The Office Lamp
Lighting is another critical area you need to think about carefully when setting up your home office. Sometimes your ceiling lights are adequate but sometimes they are too dull and will leave you squinting with a headache. If you can’t get your room lighting adjusted, make sure you invest in a decent office lamp with a bright globe. It will need to cover the whole working area of your desk so have a good think about where your eyes travel every day.
Inadequate lighting in your home office will almost certainly give you a headache. There are other long term affects like the possibility of wearing spectacles ahead of time. Bad lighting is associated with a range of other ill-health effects, both physical and mental. These could include eye strain, fatigue and also stress and anxiety. A good lamp doesn’t have to cost the earth, it just needs to serve one very simple and specific purpose.
The Office Décor
Probably the least important on your list but certainty not without its own benefits, is your office décor. Making sure you have an environment which is aesthetically pleasing is a great way to get you into your groove for the day. Plants are an absolute must since besides the colour aspect, they give us a sense of being outdoors, feeling relaxed and tranquil. Dry and sterile spaces are less likely to promote mental recovery and stress relief.
Some people love to go full on and go for a range of different plants in different sized pots. Others prefer a less-is-more approach with a token plant sitting on the corner of your desk or in the bookshelf offering simpler impact. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you’re happy to maintain and keep looking pretty. Consider the colours and how to set up and style a home office that will always be inviting for you.
The Office Drinks
Bar carts have been around for a long time and have never completely gone out of style. There is a very clear and steady resurgence trend happening of late in home décor. It’s not hard to see why since not only are they charming and chic. They’re also functional in an abundance of ways. You definitely don’t need to limit them to living areas and a home office is a very chic place to add a bar cart.
While we’re not promoting drinking alone by any stretch of the imagination, something many employees enjoy is Friday arvo drinks. You may opt to have a little bar cart in your home office stocked with a few different glasses and perhaps your favourite bottle of gin. You can also use your bar cart for shelving a few folders or sitting a candle or diffuser on top. Otherwise, if you are inviting guests/clients/colleagues into your office, you’ll need to be able to offer water or soda water.
Your home office really can be whatever you want it to be. There are certainly a few staples (pun intended) you’ll need to create the ultimate space. It’s important that your home office reflects the way you work most productively. Choose from House & Garden’s huge range of furniture and homeware pieces. Ask our team in store how to set up and style a home office that’s unique to you!
