How to Set Up an Efficient Home Office Space

Setting up a comfortable, functional home office is so much more than just clearing a place for your laptop and pulling up a chair. No pressure, but if you get it right, you’ll be able to work more productively, feel better at the end of the day, and maybe, just maybe look forward to going to work each day.

Whether you are working from home exclusively, have a hybrid work arrangement, or just need a place to work on your side hustle or studies, creating a space that works for you means taking some important things, like infrastructure and safety, into consideration. Here are some things to think about when setting up or reconfiguring your home office space:

Choose a Dedicated Space
The two main things you’ll need are privacy and quiet. In an ideal situation, a spare bedroom or den can be converted into an office. Failing that, you could carve some space out of a dining room, kitchen nook, or media room, just so long as they are not high-traffic areas during work hours, and you can perform your tasks without being interrupted.

Desk: Will you need room for just a laptop and mouse? Or do you have a large monitor, a keyboard, a phone, and a notebook? Do you ever spread-out papers, books, or binders? Choose a desk with a worksurface big enough to accommodate your things without having to constantly shuffle or reorganize.

If you have the room, L-shaped desks are especially good for multi-tasking, because you can easily switch from one task to another by simply swiveling your chair. They also make terrific natural room dividers for multi-functional and shared spaces.

Another great ergonomic option for the home office is a standing desk. The Aldwin has a cool industrial look and a hidden mechanism that lets you go from seated to standing whenever you need to stretch your legs.

To keep your workspace organized and tidy, choose a desk with drawers or use a separate unit for holding office supplies and paperwork. An end table with doors or drawers is a great storage solution that won’t look too “office-y” if you have a mixed-use space or decide to reconfigure later. The Bolanburg table above has an outlet and two USB charging ports hidden in its top, making it a true multitasker.

Chair: Your chair is one of the most important pieces of office furniture, so invest wisely. Look for an adjustable chair with lumbar support, comfortable padding, and sufficient seat depth and width (especially if you are above or below average height). You’ll want to make sure, too, that it is stable and has smooth gliding casters and swivel mechanism.

Bookcase: Bookcases serve a couple functions: the first is to hold all your papers and books, and the second is to display personal items, mementos, and awards. Some, like the Tyler Creek Bookcase, even give you the option to keep the less attractive stuff tucked neatly out of sight behind doors.

Storage cabinet: A low storage cabinet or credenza, like the Kerrings above, is the perfect solution for hiding oodles of paperwork—even when your office space is in plain sight. The top is wide enough to hold a small printer or tuck it inside and take advantage of the built-in cable ports for a completely incognito look.

Comfy seating: Taking a break from your office chair once in a while is not only encouraged, it’s recommended. In addition to short walks to stretch your legs, you might want to switch to a comfy chair or loveseat to take a call or read through a report. (We won’t tell if you sneak in a short nap once in a while.)