Gone are the days when work-from-home setup was a dream for many. Today, millions of employees in the United States and worldwide are working remotely or relying on a hybrid work setup.
While it's likely that many remote workers think of their kitchen counter, living room couch, and even their bed as an attractive place to fulfill their professional commitments, it's critical to set up a home office. After all, only when you have a comfortable and designated space for work will you be able to focus better on your work-related tasks and commitment.
However, to ensure that your dedicated working space is efficient and allows you to fulfill your professional commitments, it's critical for you to design the office layout with a few key principles in mind.
In what follows, we share five tips for your at-home work set up so you can create a perfect work-from-home layout.
5 Tips to Setup Your At-Home Work Setup
Setting up a comfortable at-home work setup means a lot of choice and freedom. You are free to choose colors and materials and choose the décor and furnishing that reflects your taste. However, you should still keep a few things in mind so you can create a WFH layout that contributes to your well-being, productivity, and work-from-home success.
Here are a few tips that will help you create the perfect WFH layout.
#1. Choose a Dedicated Space to Set up Your Workstation
For many individuals working on the kitchen counter or living room couch appears to be the ideal at-home work setup. While it may make a feasible choice for the short term, it's never a great solution in the long-term.
Sitting on uneven surfaces and in areas of your home where you can easily get distracted can have a negative impact on your focus and will eventually affect your productivity. Therefore, it's best that you set up your at-home workstation by dedicating a specific space in your home.
While it's true that many people working at home do not have a spare room to set up their workstations, however, you only sometimes need a dedicated room. You can set up your workstation almost anywhere in your home, whether it's the corner of your living room, a small section in your laundry room, or a niche in your enclosed porch.
Finding out a specifically dedicated space to set up your workstation is the most crucial step that sets the foundation of creating a perfect WFH layout.
#2. Invest in a Desk With Proper Work Height
Once you have decided on the perfect spot in your home to set up your home office, you need to invest in a desk that serves as your workstation. However, when you choose a desk for your WFH setup, make sure you choose one with the proper working height.
The industry standard desk height is 29 inches from the floor to the top of the work surface. However, the appropriate height varies from individual to individual. Taller people require a higher workstation, whereas short heightened individuals can do better with a low-height workstation.
If you are not sure about the most appropriate height of your workstation that's suitable for you, it's best that you try out the desk before you make the final call. You can also check the height of the desk by sitting up straight with your forearms parallel to the ground and your wrist not bent up or down when you type or mouse. If you can maintain this neutral posture while sitting on the desk, then the desk's height is right for you.
Moreover, if your job requires you to sit all day in front of your screen, consider investing in a height-adjustable workstation that allows you to conveniently change the height of your desk and change your position from sitting to standing and vice versa. While height-adjustable standing desks make an expensive investment, it's a worthy choice as it brings numerous health benefits.
If higher prices of a height-adjustable standing desk deter you from making the right choice for your at-home work setup, now is the time to make the right choice.
If you get a height-adjustable standing desk from FlexiSpot today, you can save up to $100 along with a robust and sturdy height-adjustable standing desk that's likely to be your partner for many years.
#3. Adjust the Height of Your Computer Accessories Accordingly
Working from home is impossible without appropriate digital devices, and one of the most commonly used digital devices for remote workers is a computer or a laptop.
If you are a remote worker and use a desktop, you must ensure that you adjust the height of your computer accessories accordingly. Whether it's the keyboard, mouse, or monitor, there needs to be an adjustment of the height of these accessories so you can maintain an ergonomic body posture and work conveniently without compromising on your posture and well-being.
Make sure you set up your computer monitor at eye level, so you do not have to strain your neck as you work on your computer. Moreover, ensure that your screen is at least one arm's length away from your eyes, so you don't strain your eyes while working on the screen. Furthermore, adjust the tilt of your screen such that you can avoid bending your neck. If adjusting the height or tilt of your screen isn't possible for you, you can invest in several accessories like a monitor arm or monitor stand that allow you to conveniently adjust your screen's position so you can maintain an ergonomic posture while working.
Another critical computer accessory you need to adjust is the keyboard and mouse. Make sure your elbows are parallel to the ground and make a right angle as you work on the keyboard or mouse, so the position doesn't strain your hands, wrists, and elbows.
If you use a laptop while working from you, you need to adjust the height of your laptop. You can do so by choosing accessories like a laptop riser that will allow you to adjust your laptop's height, so it's convenient for you to work. Moreover, you must ideally invest in a separate ergonomic keyboard and ergonomic mouse, as persistent use of the laptop's attached keypad can lead to wrist strain.
#4. Invest in a Good Chair
You can find many chairs that can be used for your at-home work setup; however, poorly designed chairs cause a lot more damage to your body than you can even imagine. Prolonged use of a chair that's not designed ergonomically can lead to posture-related concerns. Moreover, it can also contribute to an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal concerns as well as other chronic health conditions like arthritis.
Hence, it's critical that you invest in a good, ergonomically designed chair that allows you to sit at an optimal height while providing your spine and hips the support they need to function well.
If you are looking for an ergonomic office chair that's functional and budget-friendly, check out ergonomic office chairs by FlexiSpot today.
#5. Don't Forget the Lighting
For many individuals setting up the remote workstation, there may be other factors to consider besides the lighting. However, it should be.
Lighting affects your mood and allows you to focus better and be more productive.
Ideally, you should set up your remote workstation at a place in your home that receives a lot of natural light. However, if your workstation doesn't get sufficient light, you need to invest in lighting accessories that illuminate your workspace well. It's best to use a combination of overhead lighting and task lighting to get appropriate illumination for your workspace.
Moreover, you should also adjust your screen's brightness according to the lighting in your room so that there aren't any other concerns, such as glare.
Setting Up the Perfect WFH Layout
You can set up your home office anywhere, but keeping a designated space where you can set up a workstation can make a lot of difference to your productivity.
Moreover, with the right furniture and appropriate placement of your workplace essentials, you can take your productivity to the next level without compromising your health and well-being.
If you're looking for a convenient work-from-home setup that can contribute to your professional WFH success, FlexiSpot's line of ergonomic products is the answer. We have everything from height-adjustable standing desks to ergonomic office chairs and a wide range of ergonomic accessories. Get in touch with us today to learn more about which ergonomic products best suit your at-home working needs.
