How to Optimise Your Home Office Setup: location, ergonomics, lighting, tech and more
With remote work and hybrid models becoming the norm, having a well-optimised home office is more important than ever. A thoughtfully designed workspace can do wonders for your productivity, focus, and overall well-being. If you work full-time from home or just need a functional space for occasional WFH, the right setup can go a long way.
We walk you through the essential elements of creating a home office that balances functionality, comfort, and style. From ergonomic furniture and effective lighting to tech tools and personal touches, we will show you how to elevate your workspace and make it truly your own.
- Hook: The importance of an optimized home office in enhancing productivity and comfort.
- Relevance: With remote work becoming more common, creating an efficient workspace is essential for success.
- Promise: This guide will help you fine-tune your home office setup to maximize productivity, comfort, and style.
1. Choosing the Right Location
Evaluate Space Options: Tips for finding a quiet, well-lit, and distraction-free spot.
Consideration for Shared Spaces: Adapting corners of living rooms or bedrooms into efficient work zones.
The foundation of an optimised home office starts with selecting the perfect location. You may have a dedicated room or need to carve out a workspace in a shared area, the right spot can make all the difference in your productivity and focus. Here are factors for consideration:
A quiet and private spot is ideal, as it minimizes distractions and noise, allowing you to focus on your tasks. Look for a space away from the hustle and bustle of your home, where interruptions are less likely. Additionally, positioning your workspace near a window to take advantage of natural light can boost your mood and reduce eye strain, making your workday more enjoyable. Accessibility is also key—ensure your workspace is easy to reach but not situated in high-traffic areas where interruptions are frequent.
For smaller homes or shared spaces, creativity is essential. Transforming a part of your living room, bedroom, or even a closet into a multi-functional workspace can be an effective solution. Portable options like foldable desks, laptop stand or rolling carts are also practical, allowing you to set up and store your workspace as needed. To create defined boundaries, consider using room dividers, shelving, or rugs to visually separate your work zone from the rest of your living area, signaling that it’s a dedicated space for productivity.
Last but not least, consider the practicalities of your chosen location. Ensure your workspace is close to power outlets for your tech setup, has good ventilation and a comfortable temperature to avoid discomfort, and is within range of a strong Wi-Fi signal to prevent connectivity issues.
2. Investing in Ergonomic Furniture
Ergonomic Chair: Importance of lumbar support, adjustable height, and proper posture.
Desk Essentials: Optimal desk height and space for a clutter-free workspace.
Standing Desk Option: Benefits of alternating between sitting and standing.
Creating a comfortable and productive home office starts with investing in the right furniture. Ergonomic furniture is designed to support your body and promote good posture, helping to reduce discomfort and fatigue during long work hours.
Ergonomic Office Chair & Desk
An ergonomic chair is one of the most important elements of a well-designed workspace. Look for a chair with lumbar support to maintain the natural curve of your spine, reducing strain on your lower back. Adjustable height is also crucial, allowing you to position your feet flat on the floor with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Armrests that can be adjusted to support your arms comfortably can further enhance your posture and reduce shoulder and neck strain.
Your desk should complement your chair by being at an optimal height for comfortable working. Ideally, your desk height should allow your arms to rest naturally at a 90-degree angle while typing, with your monitor at eye level to prevent neck strain. Maintain a clutter-free workspace to improve both organisation and focus.
Height Adjustable Desk Option or Standing Desk Converter
Consider incorporating a standing desk or a desk converter. Alternating between sitting and standing throughout the day can reduce the risk of health issues associated with prolonged sitting, such as back pain and poor circulation. Standing desks can also boost energy levels and productivity, making them a valuable addition to your home office.
3. Lighting for Productivity
Natural Light: Positioning your workspace near windows for daylight benefits.
Artificial Lighting: Choosing LED or task lighting to reduce eye strain.
Ambient Lighting: Adding warmth and comfort with decorative lights.
We talked about putting your work desk near the window for natural daylight to boost your mood. This together with artificial lighting including ambient and SAD light will play a crucial role in creating a productive and comfortable home office. They not only reduce eye strain but enhances focus for efficient working.
Natural Light
Whenever possible, position your workspace near a window to take advantage of natural daylight. Sunlight boosts energy levels, improves mood, and helps regulate your body’s internal clock, keeping you alert and focused during work hours. Position your desk so that light comes from the side rather than directly in front or behind you, which can cause glare on your screen. If controlling natural light is an issue, use sheer curtains or blinds to soften the intensity without completely blocking it out.
Task Lamp & Ambient Lighting
For those times when natural light isn’t sufficient, artificial lighting is essential. Opt for LED lights, which are energy efficient and emit a bright, clear light that mimics natural daylight. A task lamp is particularly useful, as it provides focused lighting for reading, writing, or working on detailed tasks. Position the lamp so that it illuminates your workspace without creating harsh shadows or glare. Also consider eye-care desk lamp for screens.
Adding ambient lighting can transform your workspace into a warm and inviting area. Use decorative lights, such as string lights, desk lamps with soft shades, or wall-mounted fixtures, to create a comfortable atmosphere. These lights can complement natural and task lighting, reducing harsh contrasts and making your workspace more visually appealing and relaxing. For the darker winter months consider SAD Light Therapy Lamp (colourmyliving.com). We cannot stress enough the benefits of SAD Light Therapy Lamps in brightening the mood and home.
4. Technology and Equipment Setup
Monitor Placement: Proper height and distance for eye health.
Dual Monitors or Ultrawide Screens: Benefits for multitasking.
Keyboard and Mouse: Ergonomic options to reduce strain.
A well-organised and ergonomic tech layout not only boosts efficiency but also helps maintain your physical well-being during long work hours.
Monitor Placement – Monitor Riser
Proper monitor placement is essential for preventing eye strain and maintaining good posture. Position your monitor so that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level, with the screen about 20–24 inches away from your face. This setup ensures that your neck and eyes remain in a neutral, relaxed position. If needed, use a monitor stand or stack books to elevate the screen to the correct height.
Dual Monitors or Ultrawide Curved Screens
For multitaskers, dual monitors or ultrawide screens can be a game-changer. They allow you to view multiple applications simultaneously, making tasks like comparing documents, editing videos, or conducting research more seamless. Ensure both screens are at the same height and distance to avoid unnecessary neck movements. Dual monitor desk mounts are also available to free up desk space by mounting the monitors on fully adjustable arms. If you’re using a single ultrawide screen, split-screen software can help you maximize its functionality.
Ergonomic Keyboard and Vertical Mouse
Invest in ergonomic keyboard and mouse options to reduce strain on your wrists and hands. Look for keyboards with a slight tilt and wrist rests to maintain a natural typing posture. Similarly, an ergonomic mouse with a contoured design can help prevent repetitive strain injuries. A new ergonomic vertical mouse is on the rise that may suit some people, do check it out for yourself. Wireless options also reduce desk clutter and improve mobility.
Lastly, this may not be a gadget but good cable management is just as important. A tangle of cables can make your workspace look messy and overwhelming. Use cable clips, zip ties, or a cable management box to organize and hide wires. Route cables along the edges of your desk or secure them underneath using adhesive hooks. Labelling cables can also make it easier to identify and troubleshoot connections when needed.
5. Optimizing Internet and Connectivity
High-Speed Internet: Ensuring your connection is fast and stable.
Wi-Fi Range Extenders (optional): Boosting signal strength in larger homes.
Backup Options: Power banks and UPS for uninterrupted work.
A reliable internet connection is the backbone of any productive home office. Optimising your internet and connectivity ensures smooth and uninterrupted workflows especially when you are conducting virtual meetings, downloading large files, or managing cloud-based tasks.
High-Speed Internet Router
Start by ensuring you have a fast and stable internet connection and router suitable for your work requirements. For most tasks, a broadband plan offering speeds of at least 50–100 Mbps should suffice. If your current plan isn’t meeting your needs, consider upgrading to a higher-tier package or switching to a provider. Run periodic speed tests using google or speedtest.net to verify your connection’s stability and identify any issues. A fast router is equally important to ensure good coverage and high speed. WiFi 7, the latest wireless technology is out, but WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E are still fast enough and until devices catch up with WiFi 7, there is no real speed gain. However, if you are looking to future proof and can afford it, go with WiFi 7. You can find a comparison table below. Pay attention to the real world speeds for comparison.
| Feature | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 802.11ac | 802.11ax | 802.11ax | 802.11be |
| Frequency Bands | 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz |
| Max Speed | 3.5 Gbps | 9.6 Gbps | 9.6 Gbps | 46 Gbps |
| Real-World Speed | 500 Mbps–1 Gbps | 1–2 Gbps | 2–3 Gbps | 4–5 Gbps |
| Max Channel Width | 80 MHz | 160 MHz | 160 MHz | 320 MHz |
| Latency | Moderate | Lower | Lower | Ultra-Low |
| MU-MIMO Streams | 4 Streams | 8 Streams | 8 Streams | 16 Streams |
| OFDMA Support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| QAM (Modulation) | 256-QAM | 1024-QAM | 1024-QAM | 4096-QAM |
| Use Case | Moderate traffic | General purpose | High-bandwidth applications | Extreme multitasking, AR/VR, 8K streaming |
| Release Year | 2013 | 2019 | 2020 | 2024 |
Wi-Fi Range Extenders
If your home office is far from your router, you may experience weak or unstable Wi-Fi signals. You can repurpose an old router and use it as an extender, say for an outhouse or garden office. Otherwise, a Wi-Fi range extender, mesh system, or powerline adapter can help amplify the signal strength, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout your workspace. Position the extender halfway between your router and your office for optimal coverage, or consider relocating your router to a more central location.
Power Backup Options: Power Banks, Power Station, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Uninterrupted connectivity is crucial for avoiding work disruptions. Keep backup solutions like a portable power bank or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or portable power station on hand to keep your devices powered during outages. Additionally, having a mobile hotspot or tethering capability on your smartphone can serve as a secondary internet source in case of network downtime.
A Well-Optimised Home Office
Optimising your home office is about more than just creating a workspace—it’s about designing an environment that supports your productivity, comfort, and overall well-being. By focusing on key areas like ergonomic furniture, effective lighting, smart technology setups, personalisation, and wellness, you can transform your office into a space that truly works for you. A well-optimized home office not only boosts efficiency but also enhances your mood and energy, making every workday more enjoyable. What are your favorite ways to improve your workspace? Share your tips or photos in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
