Working from home is the new norm, as people have become accustomed to opening their computers after making their beds. If not for the pandemic, many employees and high-ranking managers won’t realize the benefits of a work-from-home setup. Today, more and more companies are offering a hybrid work structure.
Unfortunately, employees neglect the importance of having the right home office furniture. Here are some tips for choosing suitable home office furniture for a conducive workspace.
1. Prioritize Comfort
If you’re working nine-hour shifts, it’s only a good idea to prioritize comfort first before anything else. Prolonged sitting can injure your lower back and spine, so investing in good ergonomic office furniture is highly recommended. For example, buy an ergonomic chair that adapts to the human body’s curvatures. This will ensure you’ll do uninterrupted work without discomfort or, worse, increase your risks of pain and injury!
Considering comfort when buying your home office furniture goes beyond chairs and tables. It also means having other options to work in various positions. For instance, you can display a small sectional sofa and grab a lap desk if you want to switch positions. Overall, comfort should be your utmost priority to ensure high productivity and excellent work outcome.
2. Assess the Kind of Work You Do
It’s also advisable to assess the kind of work that you do before buying furniture for your home office. This way, you’ll know which furniture pieces can functionally accommodate your work tools and routine. Are you a high-ranking executive who needs ample workspace for paper documents, printers, and such? If so, you can get an executive office desk instead of a small one.
An executive desk looks professional and plays the part too. Grabbing a writing desk will suffice if you’re a writer or someone who does light computer work. It’s a minimalist desk that fits almost anywhere and holds a few work essentials, such as laptops, pencil drawers, etc.
3. Keep it Simple
Choosing the right home office furniture also boils down to simplicity. The last thing you want is a cramped workspace with unnecessary furniture and accessories. If your company uses digital files, there is no point in buying that cumbersome filing cabinet. Buying one chair instead of four will fill the bill if you work alone at home.
Buy only the essential home office furniture items that serve a great purpose. Keep your home office simple and minimal, with as few distractions as possible.
4. Invest in Storage
Adding storage in your home office is highly recommended if your work deals with lots of paperwork and office tools. Investing in bigger furniture that provides more storage will keep your home office organized. If your workspace is in your bedroom and you don’t have enough space to get a filing cabinet or storage, you can turn your dresser into one.
You can choose from several types of dressers that have six or nine drawers. This way, you can divide the drawers for your clothes, bedroom essentials, and work.
5. Make it Spacious
The first tip in knowing how to choose the right home office furniture is to measure your space. You want to keep your workstation airy with ample paths for foot traffic, especially in a communal area like your living room. Spacious doesn’t have to refer to the size, but it can pertain to how your furniture is arranged for a functional space.
Leave some room between furniture items and accessories. This way, your interior arrangement won’t seem like an eyesore. If you have a small workspace, place patterned rugs to segregate areas.
6. Choose a Style
Aside from your preference and lifestyle, assess the overall style of your home. Here are some of the most common interior design styles:
- Modern Style: The modern style is characterized by clean, straight lines, a minimalist approach, and a focus on function. It often features neutral colors, natural materials, and plenty of light.
- Traditional Style: A traditional home emphasizes elegance and sophistication, often featuring rich colors, ornate details, and classic furnishings.
- Industrial Style: The industrial style emphasizes raw, unfinished elements, such as exposed brick, metal, and concrete. It often features neutral colors, a mix of vintage and modern furnishings, and plenty of open space.
- Rustic Style: Rustic interior design is inspired by natural elements like wood, stone, and earth tones. It often features a lot of texture and a warm, cozy feel.
- Contemporary Style: This interior design has a modern, clean, minimalist aesthetic. It’s a constantly evolving style, often incorporating the latest design trends and technology.
- Coastal Style: The coastal style is inspired by beach and ocean living. It often features light, airy colors, natural materials like wood and rattan, and a lot of natural light.
- Farmhouse Style: This interior design style is inspired by rustic country living. It often features shiplap walls, exposed beams, natural wood finishes, and a mix of vintage and modern furnishings.
- Transitional Style: Transitional style is a mix of traditional and modern elements. It often features neutral colors, a focus on function, and a balance between classic and contemporary design.
- Minimalist Style: This style is all about simplicity, focusing on function and minimal decoration. It often features neutral colors, clean lines, and a lot of open space.
7. Set a Budget
Setting a budget is the last and most vital tip in choosing the right furniture for your home office. Ensure you allocate enough budget when buying furniture from your favorite home depot or online. Buy the most critical pieces first, such as the desk and chair, then invest in storage, sofas, and other essentials next.
If you’re working with a tight budget, you can always go to thrift stores or vintage shops and see if you can find decent second-hand furniture. You may also ask around your neighborhood for any upcoming garage sales or ask friends and family if they want to sell some of their home office furniture.
Conclusion
Setting up your home office doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Several options are available for those who don’t have that much budget for new furniture pieces. You can even DIY tables and cabinets if you have a knack for craft and handiwork. The most important thing is complementing it with cushions and support that will give way to comfort and function.