Let’s Start with Your Desk

Make sure the height of your desk allows the top of the screen of your desktop or laptop computer to be at eye level or slightly lower.

This helps prevent you from straining your neck as you work, and the act of scanning the screen downwards will make you partially close your eyelids, allowing your eyes to be moistened frequently as you read and minimizing eye strain.

If your room allows, do your best to get a desk that provides plenty of surface area.

The more space you have, the easier working will be, as many of the things you need can be placed at arm’s reach.

When choosing the desk for your home office, there are two important considerations to make

How Do You Position Your Desk

Facing the Wall or CornerWhen initially setting up a home office, many are prone to place their desk facing the wall or corner to supposedly avoid having distractions within their immediate line of sight.

While effective for some, you would essentially be recreating a corporate cubicle by having your desk set up this way.

Place the Desk Close to the Window Instead

By having your desk set up closer to the windows, not only do you get a view that invites you to turn away from your computer once in a while, you also get the benefit of a lowered energy bill as you won’t be as reliant on the room’s lights.

Just make sure your desk is at an angle that there is not much sunlight glaring off your screen or hitting you or your workspace directly.

Now for Your Chair

If there is one thing worth spending on when setting up a home office, it’s the chair

You’ll be spending a good amount of your time sitting on it, so it’s important to have one that provides an adequate amount of support and comfort.

Ergonomics is key. Make sure your chair can be adjusted so you can be in good alignment with your work table, while also allowing your feet to be firmly planted on the floor.

Remember: it sounds simple, but your chair must be one your body likes sitting in. If not, you’ll barely spend time working at your actual desk.

Your Equipment, Supplies, and Storage

Once you’ve had your desk, chair, and their placement sorted out, it would be time to make sure you have the office equipment and materials you’ll need.

You are working from home, so you’ll likely be using a computer coupled with an internet connection. Dependent on the nature of your work however, you may need a little bit more.

If your work is clerical in nature, you may need a printer and a fax machine to print and send documents. If you’re an architect, your needs go beyond a basic computer and matching table. It is paramount that you have everything you need.

It also paramount to have the right kind and amount of storage for your office supplies.

Cabinets are still the best for storage. You can opt for a cabinet with a transparent cover.

The surface of your desk must also be clutter free, and only hold the essentials. Make sure your printer or fax machine has its own table or is stored in the cabinet when not in use, and is not being an eye sore staring back at you from your desk.