home work setup

Installing a Thermostat in Your Home

The kitchen may be the heart of any home, but the thermostat is certainly what keeps everyone happy in that home. Whether you are upgrading to a smart home setup or just working with a new AC or furnace, you can install a new thermometer with ease by following a few steps. You do not need to be a professional maintenance worker to execute this DIY-friendly project.

When executing any DIY project, you always want to have your tools ready and waiting so that you are not scrambling to find something mid-project. To change your thermostat, you need:

A screwdriver set, or multi-bit screwdriverMasking tapeA penA digital camera or the camera on your phoneDrywall anchors (as needed)

Once you have your tools, assemble them on an easy-to-reach surface near your thermostat.

Turn Off the Power Source

You should never begin any electrical work in your home until you have turned off the power sources involved. Go to the breaker box in your home and flip off the breakers that supply the furnace and the air conditioning units. Make sure that you test to ensure that the power is off, as well. Adjust the temperature on the old thermometer by more than 10 degrees in both directions and see if either unit turns on. If not, you are golden and can proceed.

Remove the Old Faceplate

The next step is to remove the faceplate from the old thermostat. Most faceplates just pop off. You can typically find a slot on the side of the unit or a latch that you can use to remove the faceplate. You should now have access to the thermostat’s wall plate and should see the wiring and wall screws.

Label the Wires

This is maybe the most critical step in the thermostat installation process, but easy to execute. First, use your camera to take a photo of the wall plate and wiring. You can use this as reference if there is any confusion down the line. Your new thermostat may also provide wire labels. Use either your wire labels or the masking tape and pen to label each wire.

Remove the Wires and Old Thermostat

Once you have labelled the wires, you can remove the wires from the old thermostat. You may need a screwdriver to loosen screws holding the wires in place. Some units may have clips holding the wires in place. In those cases, all you need to do is open the clip and pull the wire out. Next, use your screwdriver to remove the screws holding the wall plate onto the wall.

Install Drywall Anchors

If your new thermostat has the same layout as your old one, you can skip this step. In some scenarios, the screws that hold your new wall plate in place may be in a different place than on your old thermostat. If this is the case, install drywall anchors into your wall before screwing in the new wall plate. To do this, drill a hole the diameter of the anchors, then hammer the anchor into the wall until it is flush with the wall. Screw the new wall plate into the wall.

Wire in the New Thermostat

For your final step, you should install the wires into the new thermostat. You can reference your new user manual if there is any confusion, but your labelled wires should correspond neatly with ports on the new thermostat. Place the face plate onto the new thermostat, then restore power to the unit before testing it.

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WFH? We asked our team about their most effective home office setup

Creating your own home office? Need ideas for your setup? Transform your home into a productive workspace with tips from our team's personal home office spaces.

At The Remote Company, everyone can work from home (always). Our remote employees each have their own way of working, and WFH office setups to fit their preferences.

Some employees work from the couch, while others need an ergonomic setup for their backs. We have team members who have created a dedicated home office space; others use any available space. (even ironing boards!).

When it comes to creating the best home office setup for yourself, it's important to consider your individual needs and what will make you feel productive and content. Ask yourself what type of furniture, equipment, and tools you need to maximize your productivity and satisfaction. It could be something as simple as a desk lamp or a longer-term investment, i.e. a standing desk.

At The Remote Company, we are committed to providing our team members an optimal workspace for remote work. That's why we offer every team member a Joy Budget of USD$1,000 to customize their remote or home office setup to suit their needs. Ready for some WFH setup ideas?

Scroll down to check out our teams' home office setups below. Learn how to work from home like a pro.

Ignas Rubežius

CEO | Working from New York, USA 🇺🇸

Having a standing desk and an Aeron chair makes my workspace comfortable. I use an Apple Studio Display to extend the capabilities of my MacBook Pro. I'm passionate about design and art, so on my office wall hangs 'The Board Member' by Robertas Narkus . It serves as a reminder to me to keep things light and fun while I'm working. To top off my workspace, I'm blessed with a stunning view of the Hudson River.

I love moving around with my laptop, so I don't have a separate screen, just a wireless keyboard and a trackpad from Apple. I have a standing table and usually stand during meetings. I have an assistant (my cat!) who also helps me care for my mental well-being. He's either on the table or in his hammock at the window (you can see the hammock in the photo above). 😸

Gediminas Andrijaitis

CPO | Working from Vilnius, Lithuania 🇱🇹

This is my home office setup. Yes, my workspace is always this neat. I have a monitor, laptop, wireless mouse, and keyboard for my WFH setup! I like to keep it minimal.

Customer Support Specialist | Working from Coimbra, Portugal 🇵🇹

I moved recently, so my home office is still a work in progress. Home office completed... for now! I bought my keyboard using the Remote Company's Joy Budget last year. It's the Keychron K2 .

Videos and Webinars Creator | Working from Skierniewice, Poland 🇵🇱

My work-from-home office setup is a little different than most, as I made it into a soundproof recording studio to host webinars and record videos. The three greatest investments I’ve made for my home office desk setup are a large screen, a laptop stand, and an office chair without a backrest.

I also use an electric standing desk. I have the camera on the table and adjust it with a remote. This home office desk is perfect for taking videos, photos, eating soup, and cleaning! You just move it up to the highest stand and vacuum underneath, easy peasy!

Content Manager | Working from Vancouver, Canada 🇨🇦

My workplace is a mix of work and play! I have an adjustable standing desk, and a simple Samsung monitor from Amazon as an additional screen to my MacBook Pro alongside my Apple Magic keyboard and mouse . I always have a bottle of water and my goal planner when I work to stay focused and hydrated. I love working with music so I have my Audio-Technica vinyl player and Edifier speakers next to me. The version of the vinyl player I own is no longer being manufactured, so you could say it's a limited edition. I love playing the ukulele and play it when I have a break sometimes!

Remote Officer | Working from Tui, Spain 🇪🇸

This is as tidy as it’s going to get.

I can’t live without my noise-cancelling AirPods (Thanks to construction outside my window) and my planner! Also always some drink next to me - coffee in the morning, and water the rest of the day. I use my adjustable desk to stand or walk on the treadmill too!

Site Reliability Engineer | Working from Patna, India 🇮🇳

I like to keep it simple. It's all about viewing my balcony garden from my home office window! The one thing that is important to me is the home office chair. I spend a lot of time on it, and it should be ergonomic; I use the DrLuxur WEAVEMONSTER .

Software Engineer | Working from Klaipėda, Lithuania 🇱🇹

My desk is missing cups of coffee/tea and water, but it stays more or less like this (unless I'm working on some DIY or IoT project, there is no free space on the table!) 😀

Here is a list of gadgets I love using and highly recommend:

Mi Curved Gaming Monitor 34" - perfectly fits 2 applications side by side, such as a browser and IDE. Has a nice curve and good specs.

MX Keys - smooth keys and perfect for using 1 keyboard for multiple devices.

Any Logitech MX Master mouse, as they support multiple devices, has an ergonomic shape. I am using the first one, and I love it :)

Lead Developer | Working from Klaipėda, Lithuania 🇱🇹

I like working on my curved monitor too. I feel more comfortable and really like its sleek aesthetic. These monitors generally have better visual quality and help free up space on my desk. My co-worker also consented to be a part of this home office setup and for the photo! 😸 That's his favorite spot, especially during the winter!

Software Engineer | Working from Dhaka, Bangladesh 🇧🇩

This is my small cozy home office setup, with my precious trespasser 👶😊 For gadgets, I use the following:

LG Ultrafine 4k 27-inch Monitor with Ergonomic Stand - I love this monitor. If anyone is up for the same model, I recommend the 32-inch one.

Logitech MX Master 3s Mouse and Logitech MX Keys Mini for Mac - I highly recommend both!

Ugreen Laptop Holder - I like this particular laptop stand because its color perfectly matches my MacBook. I am used to working only on the monitor and keeping the Macbook closed.

I want another monitor, but only after getting a bigger office space! 😊 Let's just say I have my heart set on something for next year's Joy Budget !

Full Stack Developer | Working from Campo Formoso, Brazil 🇧🇷

Unlike the fancy home offices many of our developers have set up, here's mine, right now it's a work in progress.

I plan to buy a stand-up desk and a hub to manage all those cables better 🤣 I always have a notebook to sketch ideas and write to-do lists!

Ignas Lunėnas

Designer | Working from Vilnius, Lithuania 🇱🇹

I like to keep my workspace minimal. Few things that are always on my work desk?

Glass of water

Software Engineer | Working from Marseilles, France 🇫🇷

I used my Joy Budget and bought a proper desk for my new house. I also invested in IT equipment - two monitors + a keyboard. My “battle station” (and where I code from!) looks like this. 😄

The best home office setup checklist

Though everyone’s home office looks different, there are some items that most of us have used. Our shopping list for creating the most productive and comfortable working space contains:

A second screen

A standing desk to alternate between sitting and standing

Headphones to reduce outside noise or listen to great tunes

Natural lighting

A personal touch!

Productivity Tips Desk Setup: 10 Best Ideas to Improve Your Workspace

Daily Jobs › Remote Work

Desk Setup: 10 Best Ideas to Improve Your Workspace

You may be reading this sitting at your desk, at your workplace; why don’t you take a look at it right now?

Detail everything around you:

• 👉 your desk,
• 👉 the chair where you sit long hours every day,
• 👉 your computer,
• 👉 and everything close to you.

What does it convey to you? Do you feel like it’s an excellent place to create, inspire, focus, plan, and succeed? Without a doubt, your desk setup profoundly influences more aspects of your productivity than you might imagine.

All that’s around you adds or takes away energy and attention. Your desk setup affects how much you can advance, do, and produce.

That’s why we would love to share 10 practical desk setup ideas that will bring maximum productivity and comfort to you. Apply these ideas to transform the place where you spend so many hours a day!

10 practical desk setup ideas for your home office

1. natural light boost.

If you want to optimize your workspace, improving lighting is a huge priority. In addition to giving its magic touch in terms of aesthetics, proper lighting has the potential to change your mood and maximize your energy, concentration, and memory function. Our bodies need exposure to very bright light daily to maintain our sleep-wake cycle. The quality of our indoor lighting, therefore, determines the quality of our sleep, and consequently our productivity and well-being.

2. Tools at Your Fingertips

What tools do you always use on your desk? You could even make a small list, from pens and highlighters to an agenda and sticky notes. Well, those things should be within your reach without having to get up every 10 minutes. Everything secondary will be better in a discreet place. Leave everything else in a drawer on the desk or in a box. The goal is that they don’t remain in sight. Fantastic! You have now achieved a desk setup focused on functionality.

3. The Clean Canvas

You haven’t finished until all your things are in the right place. The desk needs to be clear when the day is over. Finding a cluttered desk the next day is unpleasant; you feel less enthusiastic and discouraged to start a new day. Instead, a clean and organized desk setup invites us to work, and the day begins on the right foot.

4. Ergonomics for the Win

Our spine will significantly appreciate an ergonomic chair that helps you maintain a healthy posture most of the day. Feeling comfortable in front of the screen is essential to be more productive in the long term. It reduces the chances of suffering from diseases and conditions caused by poor posture, including the productivity killers that are headaches and chronic fatigue.

5. Keeping Your Goals in Sight

Distractions are always going to be present in some way or another to divert us from the goal. An overwhelming workload is also capable of making us lose the north. How can we always look towards the goal? Well, some computer desk setup ideas, like having an ever-present reminder of what we want and where we’re going, are more than enough.

What’s most important to you, and why are you doing this? An inspiring and representative framed image can help so much. A poster on the wall, a photo, or something as simple as a phrase on a sticky note somewhere you can always read it.

6. A Little Nature

A simple plant or two can have a tremendously positive effect on your well-being in the long run. Houseplants help us connect with nature right where we are and they add color and life to a boring, gray, and dull space. Houseplants help reduce stress levels and give you a new way to spend your mini-breaks (watering and pruning are fantastic activities for stress relief). Depending on the lighting conditions in your working area, you may want to opt for succulents, ferns, or flowering plants.

7. Hide the Cables, Fight the Chaos

Apart from ruining the aesthetics of our space, they also make us feel uncomfortable. The more wireless devices you can get, the better: headphones, mouse, keyboard – the list goes on. You can’t get rid of all of them but you can buy a surge protector to direct all cables to the same place. There are also cable organizers and gutters you can buy to hide cables for a neater and less chaotic environment.

8. Dual Screens, Double Strength

Having dual screens is a very pro recommendation. It will give you a notable leap in quality to your workspace. This is not a whim; in fact, you can even have a large screen instead of buying two (plus, you will have fewer cables). It doesn’t matter which of these office desk setup ideas you choose. The truth is that your work will be more efficient, especially if you usually have different applications open at the same time.

9. Do More with Less

Order and cleanliness are essential both in the physical work area and on your virtual desktop. When the files on your computer are a hot mess, you may feel less like the productive and organized worker you know you want to be. Better to clean, remove, and sort everything from day to day than to let it accumulate. If you don’t want to get rid of old documents, one good idea is to create an archive folder and get the clutter out of sight. As effective self-managers know very well, logging into an organized computer creates peace of mind and the desire to keep up the good work.

10. The Value of Air

Like lighting, the air you breathe influences your mood and energy levels . Fresh air relieves stress and helps you think more clearly. Clean air has a lot to do with desk cleaning, adequate ventilation, and maintaining a healthy indoor temperature. Air purifiers are a great addition to any office, especially if you are working from home. You can even use subtle aromas and essences to set the mood for the day, get more focused and inspired to do fantastic work.

Bonus Ideas

Use these principles to help guide you through your workday.

• Avoid distractions as best as you can (you can even use specific apps)
• Stay hydrated to avoid fatigue (bonus: getting that extra glow)
• Work in sprints
• Monotask – multitasking is not humanly possible and is the biggest productivity myth
• Use a timed combination of sitting, standing, and walking
• Pay attention to your posture
• Don’t forget about eye exercises
• Use to-do lists to keep yourself accountable
• Integrate time tracking into your project management app ( Try Everhour , wink)

Don’t forget about these tools for your office setup at home:

• good lighting
• height-adjustable desk
• ergonomic chair
• high-quality headphones/speakers
• bigger monitor or a dual-monitor setup

Desk Setup Ideas: in Closing…

Excited to give your desk a much-needed upgrade but not sure where to start? It’s not about putting all these computer setup ideas into practice right away. Invest a little, for example, in a new monitor, lighting, or a better chair; organize and rearrange the different elements of your desk setup to test it and see what feels right.

Start implementing some of these ideas to gradually transform your workplace and make it an inspiring site where you do your best work!

Mike Kulakov

IT entrepreneur, executive and a former engineer. Responsible for company growth as well as the team’s motivation. Big fan of playing tennis, snowboarding, traveling, reading books, and (of course) I live and breathe our product.

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13 Discounted Items to Make Your Work-From-Home Setup Better Than Ever in 2023

Who says you can’t enjoy working?

From an affordable new chair to a walking pad that can slide under your standing desk to a new pair of earbuds that can help you block out everything around you, we have 13 discounted items you can incorporate into your work-from-home setup that will make your work life comfier, more organized, and potentially even less stressful.

BESIGN LS03 Ergonomic Detachable Computer Stand

If you find yourself hunching over your desk while you type away on your laptop, this stand is for you. This laptop stand can accommodate notebook computers ranging from 10 inches to just under 16 inches while boosting them up by nearly half a foot. Plus, you can choose from six colors, all of which are on sale for $20 or less.

More: 13 Best MacBook Stands That Are Sleek, Stylish, and Sturdy

Humanscale Ballo Active Stool

The thing about working a desk job is that you're often sitting for hours and hours each day. And then you log off and proceed to sit some more as you relax into your night (we know we do). Luckily, this active stool can help introduce a little more movement into your day than your normal desk chair.

Now, let's be clear: This isn't like HIIT workout-levels of movement. It's more like sitting on an exercise ball, which allows for active sitting. Active sitting has a bunch of health benefits, like helping activate your core and promote better posture than normal sitting would.

And if that's not enough, this stool also comes in four colors, though only three are on sale for 27% off, saving you over $100.

Rifle Paper Co. Top Spiral Notebook

When you need to quickly jot down a note from an impromptu call or have some numbers ready to present during your next Zoom meeting, a good ol' notebook always comes in handy. This one from Rifle Paper Co. comes in four adorable patterns, so it also adds a little bit of style to your desk.

West Elm Gray Lava Stone Bookends (Set of 2)

We don't know about you, but between the books and papers and business cards, our desk gets cluttered fast. With these sophisticated bookends, though, we'll finally have a better way of organizing our books without having to invest in another bookcase. What's even cooler is that when someone asks you about them, you'll be able to tell them that they were made from actual lava rocks! In the words of Paris Hilton, "That's ~hot~."

Latitude Run Standing and Height-Adjustable Desk

There's nothing wrong with a regular desk. But if you're like us, you really like having the option to stand up and stretch your legs every so often or even give that under-desk treadmill a go while you continue working.

This desk gives you that option with its ability to function as a normal desk you sit at and also being able to rise up so you can stand or walk. And even cooler, once you find the perfect heights, you can program your desk to remember them, so you can just tap a button and boom — you're exactly where you want to be.

Better yet, this desk comes in four colorways and four sizes. Though some options are out of stock, all of them are on sale for under $200 right now.

Furmax Office Chair

Let’s face it: We could all probably use a new chair to accompany our desks — especially if your current chair is the living room couch.

Whatever your current situation is, this ergonomic chair with over 36,000 five-star reviews on Amazon will make you feel literally propped up and ready for the workday. Not to mention it's also available in several colors, though the black option carries the highest discount at 47% off.

More: The 10 Best Desks for Your Dream Home Office

Studio Buds

Our top pick for best wireless earbuds , these Beats Studio Buds pair quality audio with a sleek design. Add in its ability to cancel out the noise that’s making it hard for you to work, and boom, you have an office necessity. Better yet, you can currently snag it for under $100.

Instant HEPA Quiet Air Purifier

You know your beloved Instant Pot? Yep, they also made this air purifier (and, bonus, it's 44% off on Amazon!). This air purifier is a great addition to your workspace because it will, quite literally, help you breathe easier. It not only removes almost all of the dust, pollen, and impurities from the air, but it also has an advanced filtration system that helps remove bacteria and viruses from the air — allowing you to breathe cleaner air during your workday and beyond.

ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum Cleaner With Wireless Charger

For those days when you eat lunch at your desk, you’ll be glad you have a desktop vacuum to clean up the crumbs left behind. This handheld device will not only whisk away dust, pet hair, and other particles on your desk, but it's also sleek, so it won’t look out of place next to your stapler and pen cup. Plus, it's 23% off on Amazon right now.

KYY Portable Monitor

In the event that you’re working with only a laptop at home but would like an extra monitor (without sacrificing too much space), this is a great option. Not to mention, it's 55% off right now, making it under $100.

This portable monitor is compatible with many smartphones and laptops, including MacBooks and PCs, and even gaming devices like the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

The High Performance Planner

No desk setup is complete without a planner. We dubbed this particular planner best for year-round goal planning because it allows for some journaling in addition to daily planning. So, you can write your daily goals and to-do lists along with filling out morning prompts, evening scorecards, and periodic assessments. And you can save some coin on it right now, too.

Mesh Desk Organizer With Sliding Drawer

Few things give us early-morning anxiety as a chaotic desk piled high with papers, folders, and random things that don’t have a dedicated area. This mesh desk organizer will give all those items a snug little home right on your desk, so your highlighters, pens, stapler, calculator, loose papers, and files will be within reach without cluttering you mentally and physically — or taking a major chunk out of your bank account.

WalkingPad C2 Mini Foldable Walking Treadmill

If you’re having trouble getting your steps in during the workweek, then this might just be what you’ve been looking for. You can scoot this walking pad under your standing desk to create a treadmill desk that will have you meeting your step goal in no time. Plus, you can save $100 on it right now. Win-win!

More: The 8 Best Treadmill Desks That'll Revolutionize Your Workday

Micki Wagner is a commerce editor for Hearst’s Enthusiast Group, where she is constantly on the lookout for exciting new products, great sales and deals, and fun gifts. Her work can also be found on Saveur and Worth . When she’s not writing about the latest and greatest products, you can find her checking out new restaurants, spending way too much time shopping online, and binging Parks and Recreation…yet again.

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Office Technology | Tip List

25 Best Home Office Setup Ideas for 2023 (+ Productivity Hacks)

Published March 14, 2023

Published Mar 14, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Corey McCraw

WRITTEN BY: Sam Dadofalza

This article is part of a larger series on Unified Communications .

• 1 Must-have Equipment for the Best Home Office Set-up
• 2 Must-have Design Elements for the Best Home Office Set-up
• 3 Productivity Hacks for Work-from-home Professionals
• 4 Bottom Line

To create the best home office setup, invest in ergonomic furniture, remote collaboration tools, and reliable business phone systems. Design your space with the right color schemes and greenery, and make provisions for storage and meeting area. With a well-decorated, properly equipped room, you’ll be more motivated and efficient in accomplishing tasks. Here’s a compilation of the best ​​ideas for a home office setup for work-from-home professionals:

Must-have Equipment for the Best Home Office Setup

In the same way that the right tools are essential in a traditional office setup , building a dedicated workspace at home requires proper gear to make managing tasks easier and improve comfort while accomplishing to-dos. In this list of home office setup ideas, we covered the must-have furniture pieces, fixtures, and gadgets to complete your space.

1. Make Sure You Have High-speed Internet

With most of our work done in collaboration with others online, a fast and reliable internet is essential in completing the home office concept. If the nature of your job is handling different types of calls using a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) system, it’s even more important to ensure you have high-speed internet.

The best VoIP service providers for home offices , namely Ooma, Nextiva, and Phone.com, feature free speed test tools on their websites, which tell you if your internet meets VoIP network requirements. Upgrade your internet subscription, if necessary.

Test your internet connection and see if your network can accommodate VoIP services. (Source: Ooma )

To further ensure an excellent connection, reconsider the placement of the router. If your home office is far from the router and blocked by walls, there’s a good chance that you’ll experience internet problems. If you cannot rearrange the router, one way to improve internet speed is to use Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters. This is especially beneficial when your office is in a dead zone.

2. Upgrade Your Laptop

The average laptop’s lifespan is three to five years . Most devices are still usable after five years, but they may be less efficient in running certain applications. If your laptop cannot multitask easily and no longer supports operating system upgrades, it’s time to upgrade. When choosing among laptop options, consider the device’s size and portability, random access memory (RAM) space, battery life, storage, and the number of universal serial bus (USB) ports.

We recommend the MacBook Air, a thin, lightweight laptop, operating on an M2 chip that integrates the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU).

3. Choose a Height-adjustable Desk

The best home office setup prioritizes a height-adjustable desk that promotes efficiency and comfort. Sitting for long periods contribute to health issues , including high blood pressure, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. With a height-adjustable desk, you get to take regular breaks from sitting.

A standing desk keeps you from sitting for prolonged periods, reducing the risk for health problems, including cardiovascular diseases. (Source: Unsplash )

Find a work desk with a broad range of heights, great stability, and one-touch operation for ease of use. Ensure it has enough surface area and storage for all your work essentials. Work is easier to manage when you have all that you need in one place.

4. Buy a Laptop Stand

This gear also helps in maintaining good posture and improving comfort while working. It allows raising the device to eye level, keeping users from hunching over their laptops. Aside from promoting better posture, a stand prevents laptop airflow problems, which happen when the device sits on a flat surface for a long time. With this gear, you’ll maintain your laptop’s optimal performance for a long time.

A laptop stand helps maintain good posture while sitting. (Source: Unsplash )

Laptop stands come in different materials: plastic, wood, and metal. Most are adjustable and easy to tilt upward for better screen visibility.

5. Use an Ergonomic Chair

The best office setup isn’t complete without an ergonomic chair that fosters good posture. When shopping for a chair, choose one that has an adjustable seat height, lumbar and arm support, back tilt tension, and a headrest. Go for those made of comfortable materials with enough padding so you can sit comfortably for hours. They should also come with high-quality casters, like those from Steelcase, so it’s easy to move around while seated.

A high-quality ergonomic chair prevents back pains caused by prolonged sitting. (Source: Steelcase )

Don’t forget to consider the seat width and depth. The seat width must provide ample space for thigh support. At the same time, the chair must be deep enough that your back is able to lean against the backrest comfortably. The right ergonomic chair will reduce back pains and improve blood circulation—making you more productive while working. If you’re looking for furniture options, consider our top picks for the best office chairs .

6. Improve Lighting Quality

The best home office setup offers great visibility on the task you’re working on and improves comfort. Avoid working directly under overhead lights to reduce glare. Instead, use lamp shades to create a diffused type of lighting that’s easy on the eyes. Task lighting is also beneficial to give better visibility on the documents you’re working on.

Have a well-lit workstation using a lampshade and task lighting. (Source: Unsplash )

As much as possible, maximize natural lighting. Exposure to natural light helps produce vitamin D in the body, which is linked to improved moods and better concentration. Aside from helping you be more productive at work, natural light drastically enhances your appearance on video calls, especially when facing a window. The light fills in the sides and helps project accurate skin tones on video meetings.

Bring natural light into your home office to improve the ambiance and aesthetics of the space.

7. Purchase Noise-canceling Headphones

These devices allow you to listen to relaxing or upbeat music while working, while also eliminating distracting sounds. More importantly, high-quality headsets are great for improving the quality of calls. The noise-canceling microphone will reduce background noise and help callers hear your voice more clearly. With fewer distractions on the call, there’s less need to repeat information.

Improve call quality by choosing headsets with advanced noise-canceling features and dual microphones. (Source: Poly )

Invest in VoIP headsets with advanced active noise cancellation features, which drown out low sounds, such as those in fans or air conditioning units. Explore here the best VoIP headsets with impeccable audio quality.

8. Get Premium Speakers

Fill your entire room with productivity-boosting music by adding premium speakers to your work-from-home setup. Some great brands worth exploring include Audioengine, Creative Pebble, Logitech, and Pioneer DJ. Play different kinds of sounds, depending on your liking: classical music, ambient, nature sounds, or white noise.

The Creative Pebble Pro features RGB lighting and connects easily with headsets and microphones. (Source: Creative )

9. Find a Good Webcam

If you frequently organize or join virtual meetings, don’t rely on the camera in your laptop to achieve top-notch video quality. Go for an external webcam, as this has more space for lenses and other electronic components, which provide better resolution. Some even have a built-in ring light that instantly reduces blemishes and creates a clear, crisp image. Others have frame rates as high as 120 frames per second, allowing you a smoother, less choppy video output.

An external webcam improves image quality in video meetings.

10. Invest in a Dual Monitor Setup

A dual monitor setup helps optimize work performance since you see more content and can readily check multiple windows without any hassle. It’s suitable for tasks that require comparing different kinds of documents.

Improve multitasking with a dual monitor setup in your home office. (Source: Unsplash )

More importantly, a dual monitor setup improves collaboration with others. Have one monitor for your video meetings on Zoom or RingCentral, and then another for Google Docs as a reference for your virtual discussions. To learn more about these video conferencing solutions, read our in-depth Zoom review and RingCentral review .

11. Switch to an Ergonomic Keyboard

Since modern work involves long hours of typing on the keyboard, it makes sense to choose a device that reduces arm or wrist pain and elevates comfort. An ergonomic keyboard features a curved frame, which allows you to place your hands and wrists in a more natural posture, minimizing the tension on the muscles. Some have cushioned wrist rests, providing extra support. The brands Kinesis, Logitech, and Microsoft carry excellent ergonomic keyboards.

Make typing more comfortable by choosing an ergonomic keyboard (Source: Adobe Stock )

12. Add a Whiteboard

Make it easy for your small team to brainstorm ideas by incorporating a whiteboard in your home office. Depending on the space you have, choose between a fixed or a mobile board. But if you want a more versatile option, opt for Post-it’s Flex Write Surface, a whiteboard film that sticks to a wall and converts it into a writing surface. With this, you can illustrate ideas and processes on any wall without worrying about stains from permanent markers.

Use a whiteboard to share and explain ideas from brainstorming sessions.

Post-it Flex Write Surface converts walls into writing surfaces. (Source: Post-it )

13. Use a Power Strip

Over time, you may find yourself adding more tools to your home office setup, including printers, photocopiers, and fax machines. As you might expect, these devices require power, so it’s worth buying a power strip and including it in your work-from-home setup ideas.

When choosing among products, consider the number of outlets available, length of the cord, and extra safety features like 15- or 20-amp circuit breakers. It’s also best to choose ones with USB ports.

14. Subscribe to a Collaboration Tool

Software that supports project management, chat, file sharing, and virtual meetings is an essential tool for remote work, as it makes team collaboration easy. If you’re an entrepreneur who just started a small business, invest in a unified communications as a service (UCaaS) platform that provides voice, video, and messaging functionalities.

Consider Microsoft Teams and Skype, two of our top picks for low-cost and free UCaaS solutions . Read our Microsoft Teams review to learn more about the tool.

Communicate easily with team members using Microsoft Teams’ chat feature. (Source: Microsoft )

15. Get a Business Phone Number

This great tip for a home office setup is beneficial in maintaining professionalism and streamlining call management. With a dedicated phone number, you get to designate business hours, customize a greeting message for customers, and enhance your brand image overall. Forward calls to multiple phones easily and ensure that your business accommodates all customer inquiries.

Choose among different types of business phone numbers: local, toll-free, vanity, and international. VoIP provider Grasshopper offers custom toll-free phone numbers, which help reinforce brand identity and recall. Meanwhile, 8×8 provides international phone numbers in over 100 countries. Use this guide when deciding which business phone number works best for your needs.

16. Invest in VoIP Hardware

Businesses that often make phone calls to clients and partners will benefit from a VoIP system as a primary communication solution. VoIP offers several features that help you manage calls more efficiently, including automated attendants, call screening, call recording, call forwarding, and call queueing. Consider these types of VoIP equipment to make the most of your phone system:

• Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA): Connect a standard telephone to a computer or network to enable internet-enabled calls.
• VoIP headset: Answer calls quickly and hands-free. Choose between wired and wireless equipment depending on your needs.
• Desk IP phones: Place calls over the internet through these devices connected to computers or routers through Ethernet cables. Maximize different call management features like caller ID and call transfer, displayed on the graphical LCD screen. Consider our top picks for VoIP phones for businesses .
• Conferencing phones: Allow several participants to join a phone conversation simultaneously. You must dial participants’ phone numbers to let them join the call.

VoIP provider 8×8 allows businesses to buy and rent IP phones. (Source: 8×8 )

Must-have Design Elements for the Best Home Office Setup

The overall design of your home office influences mood and motivation. Details like color schemes and level of neatness will either improve or dampen work efficiency. These are some of the best ways to set up a home office aesthetically:

17. Decide on a ‘Style’ or ‘Concept’

The overarching theme or design concept will guide you in choosing which elements to add to the space—ensuring that everything’s cohesive. For instance, when you channel minimalist aesthetics, it’s easy to pick colors because the style follows monochromatic and neutral palettes.

In terms of furnishings, you automatically go for simple, streamlined pieces, as opposed to flamboyant ones. Explore different interior designs: industrial, mid-century modern, bohemian, and rustic.

Choose minimalist, industrial, or coastal design styles for your home office.

18. Incorporate Productivity-boosting Colors

Colors are not just home office decor elements that improve aesthetic appeal. They evoke a certain ambiance that affects your state of mind when working. Color therapy suggests that the color red is stimulating while the color green is calming. Yellow improves concentration, while orange enhances moods.

Pick the right hues for your home office to create an environment conducive to productivity. Get inspiration from home office examples online if you’re unsure how to incorporate certain colors.

Choose wisely the colors for your home office to create the perfect ambiance for productivity. (Source: Unsplash )

Incorporate a bright color like yellow to make your home office setup more vibrant.

19. Introduce Plants to the Home Office Space

The most amazing home office setups feature an abundance of greenery, as plants help relieve stress and improve concentration . Studies show that people who have plants in their workspace tend to perform better . If you’re looking for low-maintenance greenery, snake plants, aloe, and English ivy are some great choices.

Plants add visual appeal to the home office and help relieve work stress. (Source: Unsplash )

20. Organize Your Office & Keep the Space Tidy

According to a study published in the International Journal of Psychological Research and Reviews , clutter negatively affects work satisfaction and pleasure and increases the risk of burnout and tension. In the practical sense, you lose precious time for work when you have to rummage through piles of papers to find a specific document. In the same way, it’s difficult to focus when you’re surrounded by a mountain of files that remind you of things to address.

Use racks and boxes to keep your home office neat and conducive for work. (Source: Unsplash )

This is why organization using different storage fixtures and accessories is among the top home office setup ideas. To put documents in order, use a filing cabinet and place it near your work desk to make them easy to reach when you need them. For books and other materials that are worth displaying, put them on floating shelves. For wired electronics and other unsightly items, conceal them in baskets, bins, and ottomans or seating furniture that also serve as storage.

21. Maximize Desk Organizers

The desk easily fills up with stuff when you’re busy working. This is why aside from filing cabinets, you must have desk organizers with different compartments for various items, like sticky notes, notebooks, and other office supplies.

Another good home desk setup idea is mounting a pegboard onto the wall. With this, you’ll be able to hang headphones, organize pens and other items, and easily pick them up when needed. Make it a habit to clean your desk when you’re done working.

Store small desk items in organizers to free up your workspace. (Source: Unsplash )

Use a pegboard to create more storage spaces for small items, such as pens and headphones.

22. Dedicate a Space for Meetings

If you’re having clients or colleagues over to your place for alignment huddles, plan your home office design layout in a way that makes room for a meeting area. Similarly, have a dedicated spot where you’ll join virtual meetings. Ideally, your background should be tidy and void of personal items.

A neutral background for video calls is ideal so it doesn’t distract others during the meeting. Alternatively, there’s also the at-home office idea of having eye-catching artwork for a background that still conveys professionalism.

Create a meeting area at your home office to host colleagues and clients. (Source: Unsplash )

Maintain a clean, neutral background for video calls.

Incorporate artwork in your home office and use them as a background for video meetings.

23. Create an Inspiration Wall

This is one of the most recommended home office setup ideas if you want to enhance your space’s visual appeal further. Turn an empty wall in your office into an inspirational corner where you hang beautiful photos, favorite brands and quotes, and different illustrations that motivate you. Revisit this corner when you’re in a creative slump and find renewed inspiration. When curated well, this also makes for an excellent background for video meetings.

Hang creativity pegs and make an accent wall that serves as an inspiration corner in your home office. (Source: Unsplash )

24. Bring the Outdoors In

The desk location is the most important consideration when deciding the best home office layout. We recommend placing the desk at a spot where you can look at something pleasing, for example, your house’s garden or the nearby beach. This way, every time you take a visual break from your screen, you’ll have a refreshing treat from outdoor views.

A desk near a window offers relaxing outdoor views that ease work-from-home stress.

If you’re in a windowless room, hang a nature-inspired artwork on the wall opposite your desk. Choose decor pieces with nature elements: fresh flowers, seashell trays, wicker baskets, or water artwork.

25. Make Room for a Coffee Nook

Recreate the coffee station in your corporate workplace. Choose a space in your home office that fits a table where you’ll place all your coffee essentials. If you’re limited in space, use a movable cart instead.

Decide which coffee maker to get, according to your budget: espresso machine, drip coffee maker, French press, or percolator. Complete your coffee nook with necessary accessories, namely coffee jars, pod holders, cream and sugar containers, a milk frother, mugs, and napkins.

Carve out a coffee nook in your home office and get your caffeine fix easily.

Productivity Hacks for Work-from-home Professionals

While a home office sets you up for better productivity, it takes good habits to maximize its benefits. After all, you’re still in the comfort of home with family members or friends, where it’s hard to resist the temptation of putting off work and attending to household duties. In this section, we tackle the best practices for maximizing your time in the home office.

Treat Your Home Office as a Real Office

In the same way you condition yourself to get the job done when reporting to the office with bosses and colleagues, your mind and body should be in work mode as soon as you step inside your home office. By extension, family and friends staying with you should understand that when you’re in the home office, you’re doing important work that requires focus. Non-urgent concerns over household matters will have to wait until you take your break.

Create a Schedule for the Day

It’s easier to manage tasks and stay committed to finishing them when you plot them in a schedule. With a timetable telling you to get this certain task done by a certain time so you can have enough time to do other tasks, you’ll feel more motivated to follow through with your to-do’s for the day. monday.com, Trello, and Asana are just some task management tools worth using.

Aside from avoiding slacking off, the best benefit of creating a daily schedule is avoiding work spilling over into the hours you’re supposed to rest and spend time with the family. Since you accomplished all you need to do for the day by sticking to your schedule, you can enjoy more time for personal matters.

Write down your to-do’s and plot them in a schedule to create a structure for your workday. (Source: Unsplash )

Work During Your Most Productive Period

Everyone has different times for productivity peaks. Figure out yours by observing your alertness, energy level, and productivity at different hours of the day. Once you determine that, schedule your most important tasks for that specific period.

Guard your focus during this time, and minimize giving in to distractions, like going out of your home office to have a snack break and conversing with loved ones at home. For the rest of the tasks, distribute them during the remaining hours of the day.

Plan to Do More Than the Minimum

Tasks often take longer to finish than you initially expected. As a result, you usually accomplish less than what you planned to cover. Rather than sticking to the minimum number of deliverables for the day, plan to do more so you can work harder. In case you fail to meet your target, you’ll still see more tasks finished at the end of the day. Share your daily commitment to the team to increase accountability using unified communications tools like RingCentral.

VoIP system provider RingCentral features a team chat option where colleagues share updates on tasks. (Source: RingCentral )

Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro technique is a productivity hack that involves breaking work into intervals. Set your timer to 25 minutes and work on your chosen task until the timer rings. When the time is up, take a short five-minute break. Then, work for another 25 minutes, again spending a five-minute break after the timer ends. After three or four sets of 25-minute work, take a longer break for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Bottom Line

Working from home is the modern norm that will dominate different industries for years. It provides cost savings, promotes greater flexibility in scheduling, and prevents commute stress, contributing to greater job satisfaction and productivity. To maximize the benefits of remote work, an excellent home office setup is necessary. Create one that provides the right tools, fosters a comfortable ambiance, and makes it easy to get the job done.

About the Author

Sam Dadofalza

Sam is an office tech writer at Fit Small Business, covering various topics including virtual phone systems, contact center platforms, and unified communications tools. She produced content for the digital marketing campaigns of small businesses from different industries and countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, and the Philippines.

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42 Best Desk Setup Ideas for Your Home Office in 2024

A well-built desk setup isn’t just about aesthetics. Here are 42 no-nonsense desk setup ideas and proven tips to supercharge your home office and turn it into a productivity power tool.

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Join 1700+ Curious Readers.

Every Sunday evening, get an *in-depth* workspace tour from a random corner of the world.

A well-built desk setup isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a productivity power tool.

We’ve compiled a robust list of 42 practical desk setup ideas — all backed by real creative professionals.

These creators have generously shared their personal workspace strategies, insights, and recommendations in the interviews and home office tours we’ve featured right here on Maker Stations.

In this article, you’ll uncover authentic desk setups and actionable tips from fellow makers who are navigating the WFH lifestyle, just like you.

Real people, real workspaces.

So, let’s skip the fluff and get straight to the goods.

Dive into these practical, tried-and-tested strategies to supercharge your home workspace.

Dream big, start small

Kickstart planning your home office with manageable tasks for noticeable benefits.

By breaking down the organising process into manageable steps, you can tackle one area at a time while keep seeing the big picture.

This approach helps to build momentum and prevents overwhelm.

“Like how some people enjoy working on their cars, I enjoy tweaking my desk setup to satisfy my needs and reflect my current interests,” says Ogeh Ezeonu, a digital product designer from Nigeria. “I always start my process with sketches. I start really small.” Credit: Product Designer Home Office in Lagos, Nigeria

Another benefit is the ability to fine-tune your organisational systems.

Starting small allows you to experiment with different methods and determine what works best for you.

You can refine your storage solutions, test out different layouts, and adjust your desk setup based on your specific needs and preferences.

Utilise light for a brighter workspace

Making the most of natural light in your workspace isn’t just energy-efficient. It’s also a great way to uplift your mood and productivity.

Position your desk near a window if possible, and use light curtains or blinds to control the amount of sunshine and prevent glare on your screen.

Aware of how natural light can supercharge productivity, Michelle Fang, California-based Head of Community & Marketing, made a smart move. She positioned her desk right by a sweeping floor-to-ceiling window, ensuring that her workspace bathes in daylight for the most part of her workday. Credit: Serene Standing Desk Setup in San Francisco, CA

Arrange essentials within reach

A well-organised workspace streamlines your workflow and minimises unnecessary interruptions.

Keep frequently used items — like your mouse, keyboard, notepads, and pens — within arm’s reach to avoid excessive stretching or constant getting up.

This setup, known as the “reach zone”, can help you save time and maintain focus on your tasks.

Embrace simplicity with a decluttered workspace

A clean and clutter-free desk leads to a clear mind.

Try to keep only the essentials on your desk, use desk organisers, and tuck away any unnecessary items.

Make it a habit to declutter your workspace at the end of each day — it’s a simple action that can significantly improve your productivity and reduce stress.

Maintain clear sight of your goals

Keeping your goals in view can serve as a powerful motivator throughout your workday.

Consider using a bullet journal, to-do list, bulletin board, or a digital tool to track your objectives, key tasks, and deadlines visually.

This constant visual reminder can help you stay focused and productive.

Prioritise physical comfort with ergonomic elements

Feeling comfortable in front of the screen is essential for long-term productivity.

Investing in ergonomic office furniture and equipment, such as an adjustable chair , a keyboard tray , or a monitor stand , reduces the chances of suffering from conditions caused by poor posture, including chronic fatigue and headaches.

Expand your view with a panoramic setup

Choosing an ultrawide monitor for your workspace lets you see more content at once, whether it’s spreadsheet columns, lines of code, or gaming scenes.

As a practical and functional upgrade, an unltrawide monitor can make your daily tasks or gaming sessions more efficient and immersive.

Introduce potted plants for a breath of fresh air

A simple way to boost your workspace vibe is to invite nature in.

Select some low-maintenance indoor plants and place them where they’ll catch your eye.

These green companions don’t just perk up your maker station visually; they stir up creativity and tame stress.

“I love natural materials and textures, and I want to avoid blacks and plastics to the best of my ability,” says Tanja Renate Aakerøy from Trondheim. “My current plants are all rescues from moving neighbours or grown from cuts, so they have come a long way since I got them, and I’m very proud of them for not giving up on me!” Credit: Zen Workspace in Norway

Transform the gloomiest nook into your favourite workspace

Don’t let a dull corner of your home go underutilised.

Equip it with task lighting, like a desk lamp or an adjustable floor lamp , to keep your workspace well-lit.

Add pops of colour with vibrant furniture or eye-catching wall art.

The key is to create a welcoming and bright space that motivates you to get work done.

Conquer the clutter with smart cable management

Cable chaos can quickly kill both your focus and your workspace’s vibe.

Take control by using practical tools like cable ties, clips, or under-desk trays to tame the wire jungle .

Not only will your workspace look sleeker, but you’ll also find it easier to stay in the zone and work efficiently when you’re not distracted by cable clutter.

“I decided to use a wireless mechanical keyboard and mouse to make my desk look more spacious without cables . I connected the remaining wires under my desk by using a snake cable manager,” says IT infrastructure support specialist from the UAE Michael Medina. “My cable spine is perfect and made specifically for an adjustable desk. It looks neat and organised, so my wife has zero valid reasons to nag me. Kidding aside, this system helped my workspace achieve that minimalist feel.” Credit: Cable-Free Desk Setup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Enhance workspace ambiance with air purifiers

Good indoor air quality is vital for maintaining your health and concentration levels.

Consider investing in an air purifier to remove pollutants and improve air circulation in your workspace.

This can help you feel more refreshed, less tired, and more able to focus on your work.

Double down on productivity with dual-screen desk setup ideas

Ever find yourself losing focus with constant tab and window switching? Try a multi-monitor setup .

Having two screens lets you spread out your tasks, cutting down on digital clutter.

It’s about streamlining your workflow: spend less time searching for the right window and more time getting things done.

Maximise vertical space with shelving units

Are you working from home in a tight area? Make the most out of your small home office by embracing vertical storage solutions.

Wall-mounted shelves or hanging organisers can free up desk space, keeping your essentials within arm’s reach while maintaining a clean, clutter-free setup — crucial for productivity in small home offices.

“The desk and chair combo took up the entire 4 ft width of the room, which blocked half of an already tiny room from use,” says US-based HR analyst Rochelle McNally. “To solve this issue, I purchased the two-shelf, wall-mounted desk by Nathan James Theo on Amazon. It not only completely opened the room up for movement by having enough height to push my office chair under, but it also created a perfect use of vertical space with the wall shelves for storage.” Credit: Small Anglophile Home Office in Georgia, US

Accentuate your workspace with mood lighting

A well-lit workspace doesn’t have to feel sterile or bland.

By layering light sources like desk lamps, fairy lights, or LED light strips, you’ll not only create a warm, inviting atmosphere for your home office but also reduce eye strain.

Commit to a colour scheme for visual harmony

Harmony in a workspace can go beyond physical arrangement; colours play a vital role too.

Whether it’s using one colour for all desk accessories or matching monitor’s wallpaper with furniture, a thoughtful palette adds aesthetic appeal.

And a workspace that’s pleasing to the eye naturally stimulates creativity and uplifts the mood.

“My favorite color is blue, and I was honestly disappointed that not many people featured blue in their desk spaces,” shares Vania, an office assistant, manga lover, and avid gamer from San Francisco. “So I made an effort to ensure my desk setup would highlight and celebrate blue! I also adore cherry blossom flowers and anything that reminds me of the sky.” Credit: Dreamy Gaming Room in California, US

Invest in a standing desk for dynamic work sessions

Long work hours demand a certain degree of physical versatility.

Integrate a standing desk into your setup and gain flexibility to alter your posture throughout the day.

This simple addition helps reinforce correct posture, ease back discomfort, and boost your overall well-being.

Scout for low-cost, space-saving desk substitutes

Limited square footage doesn’t mean you have to compromise on a productive workspace.

Seek affordable, inventive desk setup solutions that double up on utility and compactness.

Repurpose an old table, install a wall-mounted drop-leaf desk, or utilise a console table as a standing desk.

Explore thrift stores or secondhand online marketplaces for budget-friendly finds that can be converted into your personal workspace.

A well-planned approach can transform any small area into a comfortable, organised workspace. “What I love about my desk is that it mounts to the wall and folds down when I’m not using it,” says Chris, an IT specialist from Virginia Beach, VA. Credit: Bjursta Drop-Leaf Desk Setup in Virginia, US

Unearth the home office chair that’s right for you

An office chair isn’t just for sitting; it’s an integral component of a productive, comfortable workspace.

Begin your quest by focusing on ergonomics; seek out features like adjustable height, armrests, and lumbar support to promote good posture.

Don’t shy away from the “sitting test”: your body should be the final judge. Take a trip to your nearest furniture store, sit on different desk chairs, and see how you feel.

Personal comfort goes above everything else.

Beyond comfort, look for a chair that complements your workspace aesthetics. The chair hunt may be a task, but finding “the one” will redefine your work-from-home game.

Promote mental clarity with minimalism

Opt for minimalism to sharpen focus.

A minimalist workspace isn’t barren but strategic — it’s about retaining only items that aid your work.

This “less is more” approach ensures each element on your desk has a clear function and adds to your productivity.

Mix the unmixable to make it your own

Blending the unexpected can lead to a truly distinctive home office.

Consider taking a cue from the trending Japandi style , a fusion of the calming aesthetics of Japanese design and the warm functionality of Scandinavian elements.

Keep your space minimal yet inviting by harmoniously integrating natural elements, clean lines, muted tones, and artisanal accents.

This creates a uniquely serene and purposeful space that feels minimalistic yet warm.

Make your workspace an extension of your persona

Inject your personality into your workspace with meaningful touches.

Whether it’s handmade décor elements, art pieces that scream “this is so me,” or a collection of cherished photos, personalising your home office elevates it from being just a work spot.

It transforms your workspace into a hub of inspiration, nudging you to always put your best foot forward.

“Don’t be afraid to make it your own! Have things around that bring you joy and put you in a good mood. It makes a big difference,” says Christine Maggi, a multifunctional designer from the US. Credit: The “Me” Space: a Bright Design Gal Studio Workspace in San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Designate areas for each activity

Define dedicated zones in your workspace to cater to different aspects of your work and hobbies.

Have a space for focused computer work, another for brainstorming and planning, and maybe a cosy corner for reading or crafts.

This approach helps your mind switch contexts effectively and keeps your workspace clutter-free.

By assigning a special place for your crafting materials or hobby-related items, you also ensure that everything you need is always at arm’s reach.

Fake it until you make it (green)

Even if you work from a dark corner of the house or have a windowless home office, you can still enjoy a green view from your desk.

Try introducing artificial plants into your space.

Detrik Vanderlinden, a carpenter from the Washington City, says that there’s about a 50/50 ratio of living and artificial plants in his home office. “The smaller potted ones are real, and I have a lot of those are outside of the shot. The stuff closer to PC and where I keep tech are fake for obvious reasons.” Credit: Peaceful Urban Jungle Setup in Washington, US

They provide a visually refreshing environment for those long screen-staring hours, while requiring zero sunlight and even less maintenance.

Botanical patterns can also dramatically transform a bland home office wall into a vibrant backdrop.

There are a number of fuss-free ways to bring more greenery into your home office. Start with these five tried and tested tips .

Turn your desk into a hydration station

A dedicated water bottle on your desk is a simple reminder to drink up and keep your brain and body running at full speed.

Plus, it cuts down on kitchen trips, so you can stay in the zone and get more done.

“My favourite item on my desk is definitely my water bottle . Don’t know why or how but it makes me feel safe and I don’t want to part with it ever,” says Merve, a Glasgow-based postgraduate student. “I try to drink a minimum of three litres a day.” Credit: Study Corner in Glasgow, Scotland

Create a relaxation nook for breaks

Taking regular breaks is important to prevent burnout and maintain productivity.

Designate a corner of your office for relaxation, equipped with a comfortable chair or a bean bag, a few books, or anything else that helps you unwind.

Enhance soundproofing for better focus

Create a serene work environment by incorporating soundproofing elements into your home office.

Consider adding acoustic panels to your walls. These panels absorb sound waves, minimising echo and reducing distractions.

Another option is to lay down a plush carpet, which not only adds a touch of style and designates a certain zone but also absorbs sound, reducing the overall noise level in the room.

You can also opt for soft furniture like upholstered chairs or couches, as they help absorb sound rather than reflecting it.

Finally, invest in a pair of high-quality noise-cancelling headphones .

These will provide an oasis of tranquility, blocking out external noise and allowing you to fully concentrate on your tasks.

Embrace your passion with a themed desk setup

Unleash your productivity by crafting a home office space that’s a love letter to your favourite themes, like Dark Academia, manga series, video games, or sci-fi sagas.

If Dark Academia is your aesthetic, think traditional wooden furniture, stacks of classic books, typewriter-style keyboards, and a green banker’s lamp for that scholarly ambiance.

A manga or anime lover? Deck your workspace with prints from your favourite series, anime figurines, or even manga-inspired custom keyboard.

For the gamers out there, why not amp up your game breaks with a Nintendo Switch decked out in a skin featuring your beloved game? With each glance and touch, you’ll be reminded of your passion, recharging your motivation and adding a dose of fun to your workday.

Calling all sci-fi enthusiasts! Imagine looking up from your workstation to see framed posters of iconic movies like Star Wars , Blade Runner , or 2001: A Space Odyssey .

Elevate your work experience with an adjustable monitor stand

Placing your monitor at eye level reduces strain on your neck and eyes and promotes better posture.

Invest in a reliable, adjustable monitor mount, arm, or riser to achieve the perfect height and angle.

If you work on a laptop, consider adding a laptop stand and an external keyboard for a more ergonomic arrangement.

Make the most of your spot with an L-shaped desk

An L-shaped desk can be a game-changer for your home office, providing ample workspace without compromising on style or comfort.

Harness L-shaped desks to organise and streamline your work process.

“I mostly use my workspace for work and miscellaneous hobbies,” says Ty Faulkner, a civil engineer and mid-century design aficionado from the United States. This setup works the best for him because of the amount of space the L-shaped layout provides. Credit: L-shaped Desk Setup in Mississippi, US

Consider designating each “leg” of the desk for specific tasks — one for computer work, another for paperwork or sketching, even leaving a cosy corner for that essential coffee cup.

This way, you can visually and physically separate different aspects of your work, reducing clutter and enhancing focus.

Plus, its corner-friendly design makes efficient use of room space, ideal for smaller rooms or multi-purpose areas. It also offers plenty of under-desk space for storage solutions or stretch breaks.

Supercharge your workday with the right productivity tools

Productivity tools are your secret weapon for optimising tasks, managing time, and handling projects.

Start by identifying your needs.

Are tasks slipping through the cracks? A to-do list app like Todoist might be your ally.

Do you find it hard to focus? A physical Pomodoro timer or an app like Focus Booster can help you structure your time effectively, with short bursts of concentrated work followed by quick breaks.

Perhaps you’re grappling with time management? Try time-blocking techniques, sectioning your day into dedicated slots for specific tasks.

And if project coordination seems overwhelming, a project management tool like Trello can streamline your workflow.

Unleash efficiency with smart storage solutions

Picture this: a workspace where everything has its place, from your favourite pen to that desk fan you only need a few days per year.

With savvy storage solutions like drawer organisers and desk trays, this can be your reality.

A clutter-free desk not only looks great, but it also helps you find what you need instantly, making your workday smoother and more efficient.

Make use of wall space with a pegboard

Step up your organisation game by harnessing your wall space with a savvy pegboard.

This isn’t just about hanging notes; it’s about smart, accessible storage.

With hooks, small baskets, and mini shelves you can hang headphones, stationery, small potted plants, or anything else you need at hand.

Showcase your favourite photos or pieces of art for a unique touch.

A pegboard not only helps keep your workspace decluttered and orderly but also serves as a customisable canvas reflecting your work environment and individual flair.

Boost your audio with a top-notch speaker system

Are you a fan of tuning into music or podcasts as you work?

Elevate this auditory experience by investing in a high-quality speaker system.

Crisp, clear audio can not only amplify your enjoyment but also enhance your mood and concentration.

And remember, if you’re sharing your space , headphones are a great alternative to keep your sound personal.

Amr Taha, a Cairo-based interior designer and product photographer, reveals that his sound monitors are the most cherished items on his desk. “I believe they give my desk setup a more elegant, cosy, and premium feel. I get the question Wow, are these Edifiers? a lot. But no, they’re commercial speakers. Their build and sound totally blew me away.” Credit: Moody Workspace in Cairo, Egypt

Create your perfect ambience with adjustable lighting

Don’t underestimate the power of the right lighting in setting your mood and productivity levels.

Swap out harsh, fixed-intensity lights for dimmable options. These give you the freedom to adjust brightness according to the task or time of day.

Craving relaxation?

Dial up a warm, cosy glow.

Need to stay alert? Switch to a cooler, crisp light.

For a fun and motivational twist, consider adding neon or RGB lights. They can infuse your space with colour, creating different atmospheres to suit your mood or theme.

Plus, many RGB lights come with customisable settings, letting you switch hues with just a click.

Make scents work for you

Need a pick-me-up for those midday slumps?

Try diffusing refreshing citrus scents like lemon or grapefruit.

Looking to create a calm focus zone? Opt for soothing lavender or chamomile.

In her reading desk setup, Olivia uses vanilla-scented candles to create a relaxing environment. Credit: Bookstagram in Italy

It’s all about experimenting and finding what scents work best for you.

So, don’t just settle for a visually appealing workspace — make it smell appealing too.

Fuel your drive with motivational quotes and artworks

How about turning your workspace into an inspiration station?

Adorn your surroundings with what sparks your motivation — a cherished quote, a captivating artwork, or a vibrant vision board.

These visuals do double duty — giving you a much-needed boost when energy wanes and personalising your work area.

Don’t just work; work inspired.

Ditch cords and go wireless

Opting for wireless devices, like a keyboard, mouse, or headphones, drastically reduces desk clutter, granting your desk setup a more streamlined look.

But the benefits go beyond aesthetics. It also offers the liberty to move around your workspace without tether.

Striving for a sleek, minimalist workspace, Bogdan Patraucean, a software engineer based in Cluj-Napoca, opted for a wireless approach whenever feasible. His streamlined setup boasts primarily wireless devices. Necessary cords are tidily managed with two cable holders fixed to his desk and a cable snake to seamlessly house the power and internet cables. Credit: Minimalist Monochromatic Home Office Setup in Romania

Carve out your work niche in shared home offices

In shared home offices, delineating your workspace is key to maintaining focus and productivity.

A well-placed desk screen or room divider can create a private nook, shielding you from distractions.

Choose a screen or divider that complements your workspace aesthetics and is easy to set up and relocate.

But don’t just stop at desk screens — consider using bookcases, plants, different rugs, or even design styles to visually separate work zones.

It’s all about creating distinct areas that cater to individual needs while still maintaining a harmonious shared home workspace .

Roland Austria, a government employee based in Japan, shares a home office with his partner. The minimalist, boho-inspired white workspace of Roland’s partner makes a striking contrast against his robust, industrial dark setup. This interplay of themes doesn’t just add visual interest — it effectively slices the room into two distinctive zones, each brimming with its own character. Credit: Cosy Industrial Desk Setup in Saitama, Japan

Let the playlist fine-tune your workday

Instrumental tracks, nature sounds, white noise, or your favourite tunes — it’s all about building a unique work playlist to sync with your rhythm.

Research even suggests that different music genres can impact various tasks: classical music is great for analytical tasks, while upbeat tunes can boost creative work.

Do it yourself

Building a home office using your DIY skills offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond the mere satisfaction of creating something with your own hands.

First and foremost, it allows you to tailor the design and layout to perfectly suit your needs and preferences, optimising productivity and comfort.

Plus, honing your DIY skills fosters a sense of accomplishment.

“PVC Battlestation 1.0’ is my handmade desk that sits in my living room. It is made out of one 4×8″ sheet of PVC board, a few miles of 1″ aluminium tubing, and enough USB extensions to connect to the moon,” says Justin Fogarty, a retail supervisor from Florida. “I set out to make a desk that was reminiscent of a studio backdrop; seamless and clean.” Credit: DIY PVC Minimalist Battlestation in Florida, US

Building your home office from scratch also gives you the chance to incorporate eco-friendly practices, such as using sustainable materials or implementing energy-efficient solutions.

Additionally, DIY projects often prove to be cost-effective, as you can select affordable materials and repurpose existing items to minimise expenses.

Lastly, the process itself can be highly engaging and enjoyable, allowing you to express your individuality and create a space that truly reflects who you are.

So, unleash your creativity, embark on a DIY desk setup adventure , and craft a home office that not only meets your functional needs but also becomes a source of inspiration and pride.

Look beyond the traditional home office and desk setup ideas

Transform even the most unlikely spaces into an effective home office.

That under-stair nook, an unused closet, or a spare corner in your living room — with a bit of imagination, these can become productive workspaces.

Raymond Cripps, an Australia-based game developer and content creator, uncovered the hidden potential within his small room. He ingeniously crafted a one-of-a-kind workspace under his bed, perfectly tailored to meet his needs. Credit: Small Loft Bed Desk Setup in New South Wales, Australia

Remember, it’s not about the size of your space but how effectively you use it.

Perhaps a small table and a comfy chair in that sunny corner by the window could be your next creative hub.

Follow our ultimate checklist for designing your home office

Transforming your home into an efficient and comfortable workspace might be challenging, but we’re here to help you.

Follow our comprehensive checklist , packed with more than 50 ideas on how to create an organised and productive home office.

Start by going through each section in our guide:

• Essentials & Electronics: Equip your workspace with the necessary tools and technology.
• Choose Your Mood: Select a colour scheme or theme that inspires and motivates you.
• Cable Management: Implement strategies to keep your cords tidy and out of the way.
• Ergonomics & Productivity: Optimise your workspace layout for comfort and efficiency.
• Calls & Meetings: Prepare your space for successful virtual communication.
• Ideas for Room: Explore ideas for utilising your space effectively.
• Self-Care: Remember to incorporate elements of relaxation and self-care.

Use these categories as steps, and remember, creating a space that suits your needs is an ongoing process, so feel free to revisit the list and make adjustments as needed.

We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The article was done independently.

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The Ideal Home Office Setup for Maximum Productivity

Many people may also continue to work from home for an extended period following the epidemic. The following are some work-from-home setups you need to take to ensure that your home office is conducive to your work and does not harm your body in the long run. Select the appropriate pieces of furniture and make a few little adjustments to the room's decor, and you will have no trouble transforming it into a productive space. Therefore, get to work and utilize your new workplace as soon as possible.

Creating an environment conducive to productive work can be challenging when you're not in a traditional office setting. And when you're working in a room that serves more than one use, like your kitchen, living room, or bedroom, it's simple to become sidetracked and lose concentration. Your home office setting should be where you can achieve the highest human productivity possible. A dedicated home office area, even if it's just a little corner of your apartment, can help find a better balance between work and life and make you more productive. Consider creating one if you still need a dedicated home office space. Even if you don't have much space, you can still make your home office functional by following these best home office setups .

The Best Home Office Setup for Maximum Productivity

• How You Can Set up a Home Office for Small Space?

Home Office Tips to Help You Be More Productive

A home office that you want to utilize for a longer time should ideally be in a distinct section of your home that is well-equipped for work. You strived to do as many of the activities listed below to make your working environment more secure and productive over the long term. The following is a checklist for the best home office setup for productivity.

1. A Laptop or PC

Most employees who can do their jobs from distant locations use laptops. They can do their responsibilities at any time or place and from any area because of this. Suppose you are a freelancer or want to use the space for your interests. You may incorporate a desktop computer in your home office setup configuration.

2. Home Office Desk

Desks for WFH setup are available in a wide variety and the amount of money you have to spend and the function they will serve should direct your choice. Do you demand a large space to move? Consider acquiring a more extensive desk. Get a standing desk or a converter. A standing desk converter is also portable, meaning that you can have a standing desk in any office space you work in by simply carrying the converter with you wherever you go. This gives you the flexibility to work in various positions during the day.

3. Home Office Chair

Invest in a chair that provides enough support to reduce the time you get up and walk freely throughout the day. Find a chair for your office setup in your home that fulfills your needs and can be stowed below it, whether it rolls or reclines. This will allow you to maximize the space you have available. Several seats on the market are uncomfortable, and sitting in one of these chairs while using a computer for a long time might result in an injury. For instance, dining and deck chairs don't often have the ideal height, and sitting in them typically does not encourage erecting posture.

4. Computer Monitor

When you have to stoop over your laptop to view the screen, it may be a real pain in the neck (literally). Thus, buy a computer monitor and arrange it so that the screen's top is the same height as your eyes. This will assist in preserving your posture at the home office setup. If feasible, you should provide your home office with a huge monitor (or maybe even two), just like you would at the firm's main office.

Monitors ranging from 25 to 27 inches in size produced by Asus and Acer have proven to be the most reliable for me. However, high-quality displays are readily accessible from almost every major manufacturer. Avoid purchasing the most miniature costly monitors if at all possible. Prolonged use of these displays may induce eyestrain owing to the lower resolution and, consequently, more fuzziness. If at all feasible, you should avoid purchasing these monitors.

5. Webcam for Video Conferencing

Getting the most out of your minimalist work-from-home setup will need you to invest in a camera capable of producing high-quality video conferencing. The OBSBOT Tiny 2 webcam is a user-friendly all-in-one camera that will make it simpler for you to hold effective meetings from the comfort of your home office.

OBSBOT Tiny 2 is a small webcam with a built-in subject identification system, the ability to utilize hand gestures to operate the camera, and remote software controlling its pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities. Additionally, the camera adds voice control, offering a more friendly and easy-to-use experience. It is compatible with various online video services and has a connection that you can plug into a host computer, Zoom , Microsoft Teams, Facebook, and YouTube are just a few of the platforms that fall under this category. The Tiny 2 model is an enhancement over the previous Tiny model because it upgrades to 1/1.5" CMOS , and adds new voice control.

Tiny 2 can record videos at resolutions of up to 4K 30 fps or 1080p 60 fps , and it can connect to a host computer using its USB Type-C to Type-C adapter to transmit power and data. The software control helps pan to an angle up to 150 and tilt down to 90 degrees at rates up to 120 degrees/second in each direction. You will adequately expose your photograph in sharp focus thanks to the lens's autofocus, autoexposure, and auto-white balance capabilities.

Its two omnidirectional microphones capture voice from any direction. You may put the camera on your laptop, display, or even a table by using the camera mount included with the purchase of the device. In addition, an interface measuring 1/4 inch is on the bottom of the camera, which you may use to mount to a tripod.

6. Keyboard & Mouse

Without a keyboard and mouse, your cool home office setups just aren’t going to finish. Switching to wireless technology can help you declutter your workstation by getting rid of wires and other items that aren't required. If you don't have a gentle keyboard on your hands and fingers, being productive when working remotely is next to impossible. If you do most of your work on a laptop, purchasing a separate mouse may help improve the accuracy and speed of the job you perform at home.

7. Multi-port Hub

A USB port hub is a tiny adaptor with multiple additional ports to its primary port. Use a USB port that can often accommodate between three and seven other ports, thus increasing your productivity in the home office setup.

8. Noise-canceling Headphones

Do you have the best office setup, but it is in an area shared with other people? Consider investing in a headset to take part in online conference calls while simultaneously reducing the amount of noise that enters your home office and disrupts the activities of other people who may be working, sleeping, or attending classes, among other things.

In addition, you should never drape a mobile phone or landline telephone over your neck while setting up the home office for remote work, a very unsafe practice. If you use a traditional desk phone, purchase a headset designed for that phone and an adapter of 3.5mm to 2.5mm. This will allow you to connect the 2.5mm phone headset plug to your computer's 3.5mm audio jack. If you do not use a traditional desk phone, you should purchase a headset designed for a mobile phone.

Note: Before assuming that your computer, monitor, or dock supports audio output, check whether they also support two-way audio (microphone and headset).

9. Lighting

A well-lit workstation might give the impression that the room is brighter, which can affect your mood and get you the best home office setup for productivity. Employ a floor light or a desk lamp to brighten the area where you do your job. It is easy to underestimate the influence that the environment in which you work has on the amount of productive work you can do throughout the workday.

In most cases, lighting is an aspect that individuals need to consider more. In a perfect world, your area would be illuminated by an adequate quantity of indirect lighting, making it simple to read documents and make out the details of physical items. Most of the time, the optimal lighting form is overhead illumination, such as that produced by a lamp suspended from the ceiling.

10. Internet

A quick internet connection is something that is a must. When holding a video conference in a remote work setup with your colleagues, you will want to ensure that you have a dependable internet connection so that there are no disruptions in the visual or audio transmission.

Most urban and suburban areas have at least one high-speed Internet service provider. The bare minimum speed you should aim for is 50 megabits per second (Mbps), and the more people using the Internet simultaneously, the more critical it is to get a service with a higher bandwidth.

How You Can Set up a Home Office for a Small Space?

You should also be able to transform a practical home office out of a little corner, laundry room, closet, living room, or any other place in your house with some planning, exercise your imagination, and put in the necessary effort. Here are six suggestions for a work-from-home desk setup in limited space.

1. Examine your immediate environment

Need help deciding on where to locate your home office setup? To begin, you should survey the area. Where exactly in the house can one find the quietest? Where will you have the most success in completing work-related responsibilities? If you live in a place that has more than one bedroom, consider converting one of those rooms or one of the walk-in closets into a home office.

2. Put some distance between yourself and the children

When you are trying to get work done in a work-from-home setup, on a conference call, the last thing you need is for noisy noises like children yelling to interfere with your concentration. You established boundaries with the other family members, both physically and emotionally, to achieve the required level of productivity. Establish the office in a part of the house outside the children's reach and other family members.

3. Invest in a workstation that makes the most of your space

If your house has no built-in desk setup at home option, you must purchase a solid stand-alone desk to accommodate your computer, printer, and other essential office equipment. Look for workstations that help you the most in your workplace. Whether you're looking for a writing desk that can push up against the wall, an L-shaped desk that can fit in the corner of a bedroom or a floating desk that frees up floor space, be sure to get the desk that will function the best in your house.

4. Think about using one of your current tables as your workstation

Need a place for a desk? Think about using one of the tables you already have as a workstation. You may use a variety of tables already in the home for makeshift or permanent workstations. Some examples of these tables are dining tables, coffee tables, consoles, and nightstands. When you operate out of a tiny house, the most effective way to conserve space (and your sanity) is to have a piece of furniture that simultaneously serves many purposes. You can even try an outdoor desk setup option.

5. Focus on peaceful corners

Some households have no additional bedroom or space to use as an office. Focusing on quiet nooks, such as a walk-in closet, a kitchen nook, or a lovely corner under the stairs, is the best way to set up a productive home office setup in a limited location. Your business and personal life will be easier to keep separate if you locate your office in a secluded corner rather than in the heart of a highly trafficked room. This will help you concentrate better and get more done.

6. Get your act together

Emphasizing organization is the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself while in a homework setup. When working out of a constrained location, increasing your productivity and maintaining your sanity may be accomplished by decluttering, organizing, and organizing your home office. You began by arranging your office's documents, files, and supplies. Aim to convert as much of your work as possible into digital format and keep all your data on your computer or a shared drive.

Here are work-from-home office setup tips to help you be more productive.

1. Keep your home office separate from the rest of your house

Maintain a separation between the primary living rooms of your house and your home office setup. Having a distinct area is necessary for maintaining that delicate balance. You may achieve a healthy balance between your professional and personal life by designating a space in your house specifically for work.

2. Plan for your time

In the same manner that you should divide your working hours from your non-working hours by using distinct places, you should also separate your time in the same way. Working excessive hours may lead to burnout, which in turn can have a severe influence on one's health and sleeping patterns.

3. Make sure your area is clean

I don't know how your work-from-home table setup is, but towards the end of the week, mine has the propensity to become somewhat disorganized. How about yours? The mail begins to build up, and the drawers in my desk get disorganized. Clutter in your environment may be a source of distraction and can raise your stress levels.

If you cannot schedule your day so that you may work from home, it won't matter how well you organize your small office setup or how nice the furniture is. One of the issues that individuals working from home experience is keeping themselves motivated and focused on the things most important to them in their jobs. This article explains the best work-from-home setup to ensure you are productive.

The best home office setup checklist:

• A Laptop or PC
• Home Office Desk
• Home Office Chair
• Computer Monitor
• Webcam for Video Conferencing
• Keyboard & Mouse
• Multi-port Hub
• Noise-canceling Headphones

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