5 Essential Home Office Must-Haves for Maximum Productivity and Comfort
Did you know that over 42% of Americans now work from home at least part of the time? Creating an efficient and comfortable home office has never been more crucial.
Whether you're carving out a small workspace or have a dedicated room, these five essential items will transform your home office into a productivity powerhouse.
At Work-Life Solutions, we have years of work-from-home experience, and have compiled this list to help you create the perfect workspace that balances functionality and style.
1. Ergonomic, comfortable chair
A comfortable, ergonomic chair is the foundation of any office and can actually improve productivity!
According to research, ergonomic chairs can increase productivity by up to 17.7%
We tend to look for features like a padded seat and back, adjustable height and armrests, and proper spinal support. If you tend to run warm, consider a mesh back for better ventilation to keep cool.
Another feature we love are chairs with casters and swivel functionality. This helps you change positions and move comfortably throughout the workday. We also recommend our clients avoid using dining chairs or counter stools since they lack the proper support. An uncomfortable chair can lead to poor posture, back pain, and decreased productivity. We suggest investing in an ergonomic chair that supports good posture and allows for extended periods of sitting.
Check out a few of the top ergonomic chairs available on Amazon:
2. Sizable work surface
One surprisingly common issue we see with a home office is an incorrect work surface size. Your desk or work surface should accommodate all of your daily work items comfortably, but not be so large that it overwhelms the room.
To determine the right size, think about your specific work needs and what you consider to be your workplace essentials. Ask yourself questions such as:
Do you use multiple monitors or just a laptop?
Do you need external speakers or other technology?
Do you need quick access to dry erase markers?
How many devices need access to power or charging port?
Questions like these will help determine what essential items should go on your work surface, and which items should be stored (don’t worry; we’ll talk about this in the next section!)
Lay out all your work essentials and measure the space they occupy, including the negative space. This will determine your basic work space size requirements. When thinking about how this measurements translates into actual furniture, we love looking at L-shaped desks for additional storage and standing desks for improved ergonomics.
3. Adequate storage and technology solutions
Proper storage keeps your workspace organized and clutter-free. There are so many amazing storage and organizational systems we recommend to our clients, but it really depends on their specific needs, work and design style, and spatial limitations.
Here are some of our favorite storage and organizational concepts ranging from simple DIY solutions to full renovations!
Invest in built-in cabinetry for a custom, elevated look
Mix closed cabinets and open shelving to balance organization and display
Use coordinating bins or boxes for a cohesive look on open shelves
Use pop-up countertop receptacles for discreet power access
Create designated charging stations for devices
Implement cord management solutions like the one below to reduce tripping hazards and clutter
4. Natural, overhead, and task lighting
Ideally your home office should have a mixture of different lighting to boost your mood and productivity. We recommend positioning workspaces near a window, ideally facing north or south to avoid screen glare when possible and incorporating overhead and task lighting. This layered approach reduces eye strain and creates a more comfortable work environment.
Some of our favorite lighting options include desk lamps, wall sconces, and floor lamps with multiple shades. We also recommend using soft white LEDs or incandescent bulbs to mimic natural daylight and installing dimmer switches for adjustable lighting throughout the day.
5. Personal touches and inspiring artwork
At the end of the day, this is your office! It should reflect your style and include personal touches that don’t create clutter.
We suggest incorporating color and textiles, such as rugs, window treatments, and house plants to make your office more inviting. We also love helping our clients source statement art pieces featuring their favorite colors to really bring their office design to life.
Adding art and plants to your office isn’t just aesthetic; we like using these as focal points to give your eyes a break from screen time.
A study in the National Institute of Health found that employees in offices with natural elements reported 15% higher levels of well-being.
These elements are good for your health and make your office more inviting and uniquely yours.
These are just 5 tips to make your home office more productive and comfortable, but there are so many more design and ergonomic solutions out there. We tailor every project to our clients’ specific wants and needs, but always work to incorporate these foundational elements into each office design.
Comment below if you've tried any of these tips in your home office!
