Ross Bentley | March 16, 2023
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More office employees than ever before are working from home. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau found that the number of telecommuters tripled from 2019 to 2021. If you're one of these employees, you're likely spending more than eight hours a day in your home workspace, which means you're likely looking for a space that's comfortable, functional, and beautiful.
When designing your home office, consider not only the technical requirements of your job, but also your physical and mental health. The benefit of working from home is the ability to customize your workspace. Take advantage of this and think about all the elements that go into creating a happy and healthy working environment. Here are some tips:
Invest in the right furniture and fixtures
Most home workspaces are designed around the computer. When you spend a large portion of your day looking at a screen or typing on a keyboard, choosing well-designed furniture and accessories is essentially an investment in your health. Furniture that doesn't support proper posture puts you at risk for repetitive strain injuries (like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome) and back, neck and shoulder pain.
Princeton University's Department of Environmental Health and Safety recommends that you work in a natural posture when working at the computer: with your back straight and your lower back supported, typing on a keyboard at forearm height, and your computer screen at eye level. Choosing a high-quality, comfortable office chair can help you maintain a healthy posture. Depending on your height, you may want to consider purchasing a desk with a recessed keyboard tray, which allows you to keep your forearms parallel to the floor while typing.
The right computer accessories can also help improve your posture. If you use a laptop, buying a separate ergonomic keyboard and a vertical “handshake” mouse will reduce stress on your wrists and fingers. Using a laptop stand will keep your screen at eye level. And if you frequently switch screens, investing in multiple monitors may be worth it.
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Focus on natural light
If possible, choose a workspace in your home that has plenty of natural light. Daylight can lift your mood, improve focus, and make you more productive throughout the day. A 2017 study on the impact of natural light in the workplace found that people who work in offices with natural light experienced 84% less eye strain, blurred vision, and headaches. To increase the brightness of your home office without letting in too much heat, consider upgrading to windows with low-e (low-e) coatings or at least two panes of glass. Window treatments can also help.
Space and budget constraints can make it difficult or impossible to increase natural light, and not everyone works during the day. If so, make sure there's enough light so you can see easily without straining your eyes. Choose a simple desk lamp that matches your home décor, or a sun lamp that reproduces the full spectrum of visible light.
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Adding elements that benefit your physical health
As our culture becomes more sedentary, we are increasingly understanding the risks that sitting all day poses to our health. Regular exercise and stretching can help reduce these risks, so adding something to your home office that encourages healthy movement is a good idea. Adjustable and standing desks are becoming increasingly popular as they help prevent shoulder and back pain and keep you more active while working.
If you're really ambitious, invest in a treadmill or stationary bike that fits under a standing desk. Of course, not all work can be done while walking or biking; these devices are often better suited to use while on a conference call than while typing. If you must sit, consider using an inflatable exercise ball instead of (or in addition to) your desk chair. These stability balls require core activation to maintain an upright posture and promote small movements to help alleviate long periods of sitting.
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Have the right organization
Whether you're a minimalist or a materialist, organization is key when it comes to work. That means you need a storage system to protect important documents and keep useful items within reach. You can use desk drawers, mail sorters, paper trays, and more to manage your important documents. Many remote workers find filing cabinets useful, especially if they need to keep certain files locked away outside of work hours.
There are many ways to get creative when it comes to preventing visual clutter. If you're short on desk surface or drawer space, consider wall-mounted shelves or storage cabinets. Use a label maker, especially if you have lots of cords that need organizing. There are also storage furniture with castors that can help you make the most of small spaces.
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Create a happier work environment
Organization and physical health aren't the only reasons to upgrade your home office. Creating a comfortable, stress-free environment can improve your mental health, too. Display photos of family and friends to broaden your perspective, or create an inspiration board if you're looking for motivation. Print or cut out inspiring pictures and quotes and pin them somewhere you'll see them.
If you're already increasing the amount of natural light in your office, consider adding a few low-maintenance plants to purify the air and enliven the space. If you want to smell good, skip the artificial air fresheners and opt for soy candles or essential oil diffusers. While essential oils aren't a cure-all, some studies have found that they can have modest benefits on mood, including reducing fatigue and improving focus.
Ideally, you'd have complete control over the amount of background noise in your office, but of course, a home office will be affected by noise from residential construction, other family members, etc. For outdoor noise, soundproof your windows. For noise from indoors, consider using a white noise machine or earphones. Noise-canceling headphones are a bit pricey, but they're well worth it.
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Our Recommendation
It's important to organize your home office to make working from home more comfortable. Everything from windows to furniture can add to the comfort and practicality of your space, so take the time to re-evaluate your office decor from time to time. Remove anything that's distracting or ineffective and make room for elements that are more comfortable, focus and productivity-boosting.