Comfort is the only thing that guarantees success when working from home. There's no other mystery to it, and it's what you should focus on if, for whatever reason, you're carrying out your professional activities at home. So, if you're interested in achieving this, we're going to share our own experience on how to create the perfect home office.
Where and how to work comfortably
Depending on whether you are going to work remotely temporarily or as something prolonged in time, you may be more or less interested in investing in certain equipment, but in both situations you must seek comfort above all.
The great recommendation is to do it in a space dedicated to it. For example, setting up a small office or office in a room that, in turn, allows you to limit the work area from the leisure area. If it is to develop your professional activity always remotely, it is something to assess, but if not, it is complex. Also, it must be admitted that not all of us have an extra room at home that we can “do without”.
Therefore, depending on your individual options, what you really need to be clear about is where you're going to put everything so you don't have to keep setting it up and taking it down every day . And if there's no other option, make sure it's an efficient solution. So you have everything you need to do your job without wasting time. With this in mind, our recommendation is clear:
- Choose the most optimal workplace
- Place a suitable desk for your activity and devices or things you need to carry it out
- Take care of ergonomics
The first requirement is met by finding a well-lit spot, preferably with natural light. However, you can also use artificial lighting. For example, if you need to buy a desk lamp, the recommendation is clear: choose one that allows you to adjust the color temperature and intensity . We gave you some ideas a while ago, such as the Xiaomi lamp or even others with integrated Qi chargers. And if you want to add a touch of color, the selection is also very extensive.
With the light controlled, for the desk you can opt for a table that you have at home, or buy a board and a couple of easels. Logically, if you are going to establish a fixed space, the desk options that allow you to work standing and sitting are interesting. And not because you have to work 8 hours standing up, but because there are times when certain activities are carried out more efficiently in that position.
What we do recommend is that you're comfortable at the table , and that you don't feel cramped if you need to use various devices on a daily basis. For example, this could include your computer (laptop or desktop), monitors, keyboard, mouse, speakers, notebooks, etc. If for some reason you don't have a dedicated table or one of the necessary dimensions, a great idea is to get one of those typical kitchen carts . You can create your own charging station, storage for hard drives, and other devices or accessories on it. Since it has wheels, you can easily move it around.
Finally, for comfortable and ergonomic work, a good chair is essential. Here you really need to choose what type you need or want. These are perfect for improving your workspace or leisure area, but if you're not going to buy a new chair, take a look at chair cushions that relieve potential back pain—trust us, they work.
Tips for having the perfect home office
Controlled the space and the basic elements such as lighting, table and chair where you are going to work, there are other tips that you can take into account to further improve your work from home. So, we are going to see it one by one.
Use a second or larger monitor
If you work with a laptop, even if you're used to them, having a second screen is always recommended. First, because using both will free up desktop space, allowing you to divide your workspace between documents and messaging apps, email, etc. Second, even with just one screen, an external monitor offers a larger screen size and the flexibility to position it at a much more comfortable height.
To work for many hours, our recommendation is to do it on an extra screen, if it is 27 inches, even better. This is an ideal size and you have very interesting price options with resolutions up to 4K.
It is now a matter of choosing which option interests you the most. If you are going to use it together with the laptop screen or not.
Articulated arms for the monitor
If you have a fixed workspace, the best way to use your external monitor(s) is with an articulating arm. These greatly improve ergonomics at your workstation by allowing for better height and tilt adjustments. They also allow you to use the screen vertically, something not all monitor stands offer.
So, for this and for other advantages such as having a cleaner workspace and computer, monitor arms are one of those essential accessories when you try them out.
laptop stands
If you decide to work solely with your laptop, in addition to our next recommendation, a laptop stand can be very useful. Raising the screen and placing it at eye level prevents postures that could lead to fatigue after long periods of use.
See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on AmazonHere it is a matter of choosing the one that best suits your needs, if you want something fixed or better something portable that takes up little space when you want to collect the work area.
External keyboard and mouse
Again, if you work with a laptop at home, you should also use an external keyboard and mouse . The reason is obvious: you'll improve your ergonomics. Because, however accustomed you are to its built-in keyboard and trackpad, with these you can position the laptop at a higher angle, preventing potential neck problems or pain caused by prolonged periods of looking down.
There are many types and prices of keyboards and mice, but this is like everything else: the better the device, the better the experience. Logitech's MX Master is a great mouse, but only if you're right-handed. And with the keyboards more or less the same, there are very interesting models, such as those that offer an ergonomic design. Some of our favorites are as follows:
See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on AmazonWhen it comes to keyboards, there are also many options, but again, a good keyboard makes a difference. The most important thing is that the travel and resistance of each key is optimal for you. We could go into much more detail here, evaluating everything from traditional options to mechanical or ergonomic ones. Some options:
See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on AmazonThese keyboards and mice are wireless, which offers well-known advantages. However, you should be mindful of running out of batteries. While they do last quite a while, if they run out, you won't be able to use them, which is a real nuisance. Therefore, it's best to get a charger and rechargeable batteries , or take advantage of one of the many available packs like these.
See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazonisolate yourself from noise
If you work alone or don't bother anyone, speakers are always a great option. They're more comfortable than constantly having something in your ears, although those also have advantages if they offer noise cancellation.
As we have already seen on more than one occasion, having noise canceling headphones helps when concentrating if there is noise at home. Noise from neighbors or even other family members at home.
For comfort, quality and effectiveness of its noise cancellation, the most recommended options are those with headbands. But you can also use others of the in-ear or wireless button type that are very comfortable during the day.
Chargers and power strips
With so many devices like phones, laptops, tablets, cameras, wireless headphones, and more, having everything you need to charge them conveniently is important. That's why the starting point is having a power strip with enough outlets to meet your needs. Some options also include USB ports, like this smart power strip from AOFO , so you can reduce the number of other chargers you need.
See offer on AmazonHowever, since many devices now charge via USB cables, it's best to use a multi-port USB charger or wireless charging pad. This way, you'll only need to connect the cables you need when you want to charge multiple devices simultaneously. You could even charge your laptop, depending on its power requirements and whether or not it has a USB-C port.
See offer on AmazonAs an extra tip that affects comfort in the work environment, have good cable management and organization. Achieving it is not complex at all, so we encourage you to do it. Even, taking advantage of what we discussed before, you can create that charging station in the bottom tray of the cart where you are going to place everything you need to have your "mobile office" inside the home.
Give it a touch of color
As you can see, creating a comfortable work environment isn't complicated at all. You probably already have many of the things you need, and improving it to create your perfect home office is simply a matter of making small investments in devices or accessories that truly enhance the time you spend on your work.
So, do not forget to give it a touch of color or place some elements such as small plates or objects that give an organic touch to the space. Since you're at home, don't make that corner a cold place. Of course, remember that no matter how comfortable you are, it is also important to take breaks and disconnect.