One of the biggest benefits of working from home can be your home office. It's your opportunity to create a space designed especially for you, with chairs in your shape, tables at your height, and decorations hand-picked to make you smile throughout the day. But 'magazine-perfect' home offices can come with high prices, so how do you design your home office on a budget without finding yourself sitting on a plastic chair under the stairs?
We've created this article to help guide you through the planning process, so you can maximize your comfort, light, and space without emptying your bank account.
Choose a Dedicated Space
Start your design process by choosing a space in your home that can be used for your work and nothing else. This could be anything from a whole room to a well-designed corner, with carefully thought-out storage and lighting. Getting this step right can make the difference between a relaxing oasis, and a bit of a nightmare to work in.
Here are some things to think about when deciding where to build your office:
Size
Think about the space you'll need for a comfortable adjustable chair, enough desktop space, and all the other equipment and materials you need for your work. You can fit everything into a corner with your keyboard underneath a printer, but that would be a stressful and uncomfortable environment. So, think long-term comfort.
Location
The location of your home office can affect your productivity and focus. Choose somewhere quiet and free from distractions, like a spare room or a quiet corner.
Natural light
A room with large amounts of natural light is usually a great place for a home office, improving your mood and concentration by keeping you awake and alert naturally. Of course, strong light sources can make it difficult to read screens and can damage photosensitive materials, so think about this when deciding on where to place your furniture.
Privacy
If you need to make phone calls or join video conferences for work, it's important to choose a space where you can speak privately with little background noise.
Accessibility
Your home office should be easy and convenient to use without taking long and uncomfortable trips around the house. But you don't want an office that connects two or more frequently used rooms if you live with other people. These disruptions could cause you stress and distract you from your work.
Rank Your Priorities
We've given you a lot of things to think about here, and it might be difficult to find somewhere that's perfect on every point. To help you decide, think about which list items are most important for your personal working style and the work you do. Focus on getting the best results for those items, and see what you can do with the rest!
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of how people use their environment, and it's an important part of designing your home office. You spend a lot of time in your office and it should be designed to support your body. The goal is to be seated, or standing, in a position that supports your lower back, shoulders, neck, and eyes. So, here are some things to make sure you get your design ergonomically correct for your body:
Ergonomically Adjusting Your Home Office
Desk height - your desk should be at a height that allows you to keep your shoulders relaxed and your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle while typing. Your back should be straight but relaxed and not bent forward. Many people benefit from adjustable standing and sitting desks to help with back pain, but these can be expensive.
Chair height - your chair should be adjusted so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. Again you should have a straight but relaxed back, and make sure your chair, or a cushion, supports your lower back.
Monitor placement - to reduce strain on your neck and shoulders, your computer monitor should be positioned directly in front of you, with the top half of the screen at your eye level.
Keyboard and mouse placement - your keyboard and mouse should be positioned so that your wrists are straight and your arms are at a comfortable angle while typing and using the mouse. If your wrist becomes painful using a mouse, think about learning to use a trackball so you can keep your wrists still while you work.
Invest in Good Lighting
Good lighting is an important factor to consider when designing a home office, as it can have a large impact on your productivity and well-being. Here are a few tips to think about when choosing lighting for your home office:
Use Natural and Artificial Light
Natural light is great for your mood, concentration, and alertness but you can't stop working at 4 PM in the winter! So, add comfortable artificial lights like desk lamps, floor lamps, and overhead lighting to create a well-lit and comfortable space.
Not too Bright
Overly bright, 'hard', or flickering lighting can cause discomfort and eye strain. Softer, more diffuse lighting can make you more comfortable and less likely to develop headaches. Avoid fluorescent lighting and ultra-bright LED lighting.
Comfortable Colors
The color temperature of light bulbs can affect your mood and productivity. Most people find 'warm white' light (around 2700K) most relaxing and better for evening use, while 'cool white' light (around 5000K) is better for more energetic daytime use. This is all personal though, so try out different light colors and see what's best for you.
Plan Your Storage
Having enough storage in your home office can help keep your workspace organized and clutter-free, which can improve your productivity and focus. Here are a few storage options to think about for your home office:
Shelves
Shelving is a great way to store and organize books, supplies, and documents and make use of wall space. Shelves shouldn't be too large for your office or make it feel small, and keep them away from your head and walkways.
Magazine Files
Good-quality magazine files are an excellent way to store reference books upright. They use surface space efficiently and let you access any book without having to move others. Use magazine files for your most used documents only, and try to keep them easy to access.
Filing cabinets
Filing cabinets are a useful option for storing and organizing your paperwork. Choose a style and size that fits your needs, and that's appropriate for the size of your home office. Filing cabinets can look cold and clinical, so to keep your office warm and friendly, look for attractive designs and try not to use too many.
Storage bins or boxes
Storage bins are a convenient and flexible way to store office supplies, cords, and other small items. Draw dividers are also an excellent way of keeping your tools and stationery separated. labeling your bins can help keep your items organized and easy to find.
Pinboards
Wall organizers, pinboards, and noticeboards can be a great way to use the vertical space in your home office, and can be used to store and organize items such as calendars, notes, and supplies.
Add Personal Touches
Adding personal touches to your home office can make it more comfortable and enjoyable to work in. Here are some ideas to help you start personalizing your home office:
Art - hang art or photos on your walls to make your home office feel more personal. Choose pieces that reflect your style or have special meaning to you.
Plants - add some nature to your home office and improve air quality! Choose plants that are easy to care for and will grow happily in the lighting of your home office.
Accessories - add cozy accessories like throw pillows, blankets, and vases to add personality and warmth to your office. Just remember that too much can feel overwhelming.
Memories - think about displaying your good memories, like awards, certificates, or ornaments, that remind you of happy times.
Designing Your Home Office on a Budget
With all the money in the world, it's easy to design your dream home office. Transforming a space in your home on a budget is where the challenge is. Here are some tips to help you design your home office on a budget:
Budget and prioritize - how much can you comfortably spend on your home office? Prioritize important equipment and furniture and add less important items over time.
Shop around - compare prices on the items you like in different stores to find the best deals. Look for sales, coupons, and discounts to help save money.
Capital One Shopping and Honey are apps and browser extensions that automatically look for coupons to save you money shopping online.
Reuse and repurpose - you might be able to repurpose items from around your home to use in your home office, saving you money.
Buy secondhand - used office furniture retailers and Facebook Marketplace are great places for affordable office furniture and supplies. Here are some more ideas for reusing and recycling items for your office:
Tell your people - if you are comfortable doing so, tell your friends and family about your office plans. They might offer you things they don't need anymore.
Use the power of paint - transform the mood and light levels with paint. Neutral colors help to make spaces feel larger, and older items can be painted bright again!
Use multi-purpose furniture - think about choosing furniture like a desk that can also be used as a dining table or a bookshelf that can also be used as a room divider.
Wrap Up
Designing a home office takes careful planning and prioritizing. Think about the size and layout of your space, your needs, and the overall style of your home.
Things to think about:
Your budget (now and over time)
The most important furniture and features
A quiet location
Ergonomics for long-term physical comfort
Energizing light levels
Personalizing and styling
Saving money with second-hand items
Whether you are working from home full-time or just need a dedicated space for occasional remote work, a well-designed home office can make a big difference in your overall quality of life and productivity. Designing your home office can be a fun challenge, and it can be done on a budget! So give it a go, let your creative side out.
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