Having a well-equipped home office is essential as more people continue to work remotely. This means having a comfortable workspace that is conducive to productivity. However, only some have a spare room or vast space that can be converted to a WFH zone. So, we are sharing some tips and ideas to help you set up the perfect home office.
Table of Contents
Benefits of a well-set-up home office
5 things you need to set up a home office
What is the minimum size for a home office?
How to select a desk and chair for your home office
The best home office desks and chairs in NZ
Agile's highly-recommended office accessories
Conclusion
Benefits of a well-set-up home office
A well-equipped home office has numerous benefits. Firstly, it can improve your productivity and focus by providing a dedicated space for work. One of the potential struggles in working from home is the blurred line between working and comfort. Some people can get easily distracted when they work in the bedroom. They know they can pause their work and nap anytime. Therefore, picking a work zone outside the bedroom is the optimum choice to ensure productivity and focus.
Secondly, it can improve your posture and prevent discomfort, ensuring you are comfortable throughout the day. One element that is crucial when designing your home office is ergonomics. When working from home, you need to prioritize safety. Buying the proper furniture and accessories will mean you can do your work correctly.
Lastly, it can create a professional atmosphere to enhance your reputation among colleagues and clients. Working from home involves a lot of virtual meetings and activities. Your image as a freelancer or remote worker is primarily determined by how you present yourself during virtual discussions. You will need a clean background and proper lighting to exhibit professionalism while working from home.
5 things you need to set up a home office
Before you begin setting up your home office, you will need to gather some essential equipment. These include a computer, internet access, a printer, and a phone. You may also need a desk, a chair, and adequate lighting. You may also require storage solutions, such as shelves or cabinets, and a filing system to organize paperwork.
However, you should consider five main factors when organizing your home office.
Location
When choosing a location for your home office, consider a space that is quiet and free from distractions. Choosing a room with adequate ventilation and natural light is also essential. Choose a room with a door that can be closed to help minimize interruptions and provide privacy. If you will be dividing a particular area to make room for your working zone, you may use a divider or partition.
Space
The space you require for your home office will depend on your job requirements and personal preferences. However, a general rule of thumb is to have at least 70 square feet of space. This should be enough room for a desk, chair, and storage solutions. If you have a small space, consider using multi-functional furniture, such as a desk with built-in storage. Even if your space is relatively minimal, always prioritize your comfort and safety.
Lighting
Good lighting is essential for a productive home office. Consider positioning your desk near a window to take advantage of natural light. If this is not possible, invest in a good desk lamp with adequate lighting. Avoid overhead lighting that can cause glare on your computer screen and cause eye strain. Aside from adequately positioning your workspace to get natural light, you need to beware of shadows that can cause eye strain as well. You may also experiment with layering your lights if a single source does not work well.
View
Having a good view can be a source of inspiration and motivation. If possible, position your desk near a window with a view of the outdoors. This can help reduce stress levels and boost creativity. If your residence is in an urban landscape, you may decorate your immediate surroundings with plants or a landscape backdrop. This will provide you with a sense of calm after a tiring day.
Furniture
The furniture you choose for your home office should be comfortable, functional, and durable. Invest in a good-quality desk and chair that adequately supports your back and arms. Consider purchasing a standing desk to reduce the time you spend sitting throughout the day. As much as possible, do not compromise on quality since working from home comes with health risks too. Some remote workers become sedentary because they sit down for too long. Ergonomic furniture can help you preserve your well-being by facilitating your body’s comfort and safety while working.
What is the minimum size for a home office?
The minimum size for a home office is around 50 square feet, but this can vary depending on your job requirements and personal preferences. Remote workers with an extra bedroom or ample space may allocate up to 150 square feet for their working space.
It may be better to have a space bigger than 50 feet if you want to have a big office chair and a spacious office desk. If you will be working with multiple monitors, you may consider purchasing an L-shaped desk with monitor mounts. If you need extra organization features for other equipment, it may be best to purchase desks that have built-in storages.
How to select a desk and chair for your home office
When selecting a desk for your home office, consider the size, shape, and style that best suits your needs. A suitable desk should have enough surface space to accommodate your computer, paperwork, and other essentials. It should also have adequate storage solutions to help keep your workspace organized.
When selecting a chair, look for one that provides adequate support for your back, arms, and neck. It should also have adjustable height and lumbar support to ensure maximum comfort throughout the day.
The placement of your office desk and chair can have a significant impact on your productivity and comfort. When choosing the location for your desk, consider the natural lighting and views from your window. It's best to position your desk perpendicular to the window to reduce glare on your computer screen.
Additionally, avoid placing your desk directly in front of a window to prevent distracting reflections and glare. As for the chair, make sure it's positioned in a way that allows you to maintain proper posture and alignment. Your chair should be placed comfortably from your desk, with your feet flat on the ground and your arms resting comfortably on the desk.
The best home office desks and chairs in NZ
Active Task Chair
This chair is designed to support you during prolonged sitting periods by promoting healthy posture and allowing you to adjust the chair to your comfort levels.
The mesh back provides air circulation to keep you cool, and the lumbar support ensures that you maintain proper alignment throughout the day. You can customize the chair with a 30mm lumber height adjustment and 18 degrees of back tilt adjustment. The seat slide allows you to adjust the seat depth for optimal support.
The chair is built to last with its robust and durable nylon base and 60mm diameter nylon castors.
Agile Electric 2-Column Individual Desk
This desk features a commercial-grade melamine worktop that measures 25mm thick, providing a sturdy and reliable surface. The Agile Electric Desk boasts a height range of 680 - 1130 (mm), with a digital height readout and a 4-point memory, allowing you to save your preferred height settings for quick and easy adjustments. In addition, the desk has a weight rating of 120kg, making it suitable for a wide range of uses. The desktop is manufactured from a low-emission E1 board with Good Wood certification, ensuring it is environmentally friendly.
See our collection of standing desks.
Agile's highly-recommended office accessories
Arise Deskalator
With its two activation paddles and 13 height positions, you can easily adjust the Deskalator throughout the day to help relieve pressure on your lower back, hips, knees, and ankles.
The steel scissor structure is both strong and durable, providing a solid and stable platform to work on. The Deskalator's gas spring offers a smooth and supported height transition, and the support groove on the surface allows you to mount your smartphone or tablet for easy access. Overall, the small Deskalator measures 680mm in width and 790mm in depth, while the medium size measures 890mm in width and 790mm in depth.
Cutlass Single Monitor Arm
These monitor arms are the next model up from the Gladius arms, offering a higher adjustment range and contemporary slim styling, with built-in USB ports for charging devices.
The Cutlass arms provide a full range of ergonomic adjustments, including a large gas-lift counterbalance range for monitor weights ranging from 2 to 9 kgs. Suitable for up to 30" screens with either a 100 x 100 mm or 75 x 75 mm square hole pattern, these arms lift your monitor off the desk right where your clunky monitor base used to sit, freeing up valuable desktop real estate.
Conclusion
Ready to set up your dream home office? Check out our tips and ideas to help you get started. From choosing the right location and furniture to lighting and storage solutions, we've got you covered. Don't let distractions and discomfort keep you from being productive and professional. Start building your ideal work zone with Agile Office Furniture today!
