How To Set Up A Work From Home Office For The Long Term

October 29th, 2020 | Office Furniture Blog

Before the Coronavirus pandemic, about 15% of US employees have already started working from home for five or more days per week. With the crisis, that number escalated to 44% as businesses turned to remote work setup to be able to carry on with operations while on lockdown. 

Even when the crisis eventually recedes, experts believe that working from home will become an integral part of the workforce. By now, both employers and employees may have already realized the benefits of remote work. Not only does this cater to health and safety concerns, it also presents a great deal for businesses on the financial scale.

Employers who need to cut down on expenses may have already considered downsizing their office space and having some employees work from home routinely or permanently. Employees, on the other hand, would benefit from a flexible work setup and not commuting to the office daily. This would mean increased productivity, feeling less stressed, and reducing the risk of getting burned out.

What is the Ideal Home Office Setup?

Although we were quick to adapt to the ‘new normal’, it may not be the best solution if we are thinking long term. Many people have set up makeshift home offices that won’t work well if you’re planning to work from home permanently.

An ideal home office should be a separate space in your home that is dedicated for work. If you don’t have spare space, you can convert part of your guest room, laundry room, or your garden shed into dual-purpose space.

The key to finding a good spot for your workspace is that it should maintain some level of privacy, which separates your work life from home life. If you can’t get a dedicated space at home, try a coworking space.

Another must-have to achieve that ideal home office is to invest in quality office furniture especially for your desk and chair. 

Desk

Your desk should be at the correct height wherein your forearms are parallel to the ground and wrists are not bent when using your keyboard and mouse. Your wrist should be aligned with your forearm with your fingers dangling slightly to the keyboard. Bending the wrists for prolonged periods can cause serious injuries.

The standard height for desks is 29 inches from the floor to the top of the surface. Best to go with adjustable desks so you can customize it based on your preference. 

Office Chair

Dining chairs and deck chairs don’t always encourage the needed upright posture. Aside from getting injuries, this could cause great discomfort which may lead to declined productivity. Get an adjustable office chair, where you can set a custom fit for your body and workspace.

Most quality office chairs don’t come in cheap but they are a great investment especially if you’re looking to work longer hours. An executive office chair provides lumbar support for the lower back, and has adjustable seat pan tilt, arm height, and lateral arm position. 

Computer Monitor

Whether you’re using a laptop or a desktop, you need to get a large monitor for your home office just as you would at the corporate office. 

Ideally, you should be able to look straight when sitting. Your eyes should be at a height of 25% to 30% below the top of the screen. This allows you to keep your shoulders level and don’t hunch your back, which can also cause injuries in the long run.

If you’re planning to work at a co-working space, a coffee shop, or planning to travel, invest in a foldable monitor stand, external keyboard and a mouse for your laptop. This allows you to maintain proper posture wherever you plan to work. 

Lighting

Most people don’t realize the benefit of good lighting to their workspace. Ideally, you should have sufficient ‘indirect light’ that allows you to read papers or find objects on your desk. Indirect light means lighting that is not reflecting off your monitor and/or disrupts your vision. 

Your overhead lighting (ceiling lamp) is most likely sufficient. But if you need additional lighting, place your desk lamp where you don’t create a glare on the monitor screen. So avoid putting one beside your monitor or angled towards your monitor screen.

Your monitor’s brightness level should not be too bright or too dim. This can cause eyestrain. Ideally, your brightness intensity should be just a little brighter than your room’s lighting.

These are a few tips to help you upgrade your work from home office from temporary to long term. By keeping these in mind, you’ll be able to transition from working at the office to your home effectively.