Staking out a corner of the dining room table could work—until family mealtime. And typing on your tablet from the couch just invites interruptions. What you need is a space that screams “Don’t bother me; I’m working!” so you don’t have to. Here’s our guide for setting up your home office:
Stake Your Claim
First off, you need a dedicated area with an actual desk. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, simply a place for your laptop or other work essentials to call home. Styles with drawers make it easy to conceal the clutter or consider a sit-stand desk for flexibility throughout your workday/night.
Have a Seat
One of the most important elements of any workspace is a comfortable chair. When you’re sitting for hours on end, you deserve a piece of furniture that’s designed for the job. That repurposed dining room chair has “bad back” written all over it. These days, options go far beyond basic black, so you can easily find an office chair that suits your style.
See the Light
A spot near a window provides plenty of natural light. But if you’re tucked in a dark corner or burning the midnight oil, you’ll need some illumination. A desk lamp puts the focus on your work or choose a floor lamp to brighten up the whole space.
Shelve It
Not just for books anymore—shelves offer a place to stash supplies for any kind of home office. To keep things organized, group like items in stackable boxes for convenient access. And if you want to keep your business behind closed doors, opt for a stylish cabinet.
Divide and Conquer
Room dividers let people know you mean business—think create-your-own-cubicle, only nicer. Plus, they camouflage your workspace during off-hours.
Get to Work
Setting up a home office doesn’t have to be complicated. A few essential pieces will do the job—so you can concentrate on yours.