There are a variety of factors to consider when designing a functional home office, including comfort, aesthetics, and cost. Each of these is directly tied to the furniture you choose.
Where to Start?
If you are starting with a completely blank slate, it can be overwhelming figuring out what is needed for your new space. To give yourself a good starting point, consider how you will use your office space, what items you need, and how they will be used so you can avoid purchasing things that will later create clutter and unnecessary frustration. Once you have a good idea of what needs to be purchased, create a fitting budget and examine your space in terms of size and layout.
Home Office Furniture Style/Asthetic
Before choosing furniture, decide what style you are going to focus your home office around. This could be anything from traditional to eclectic, or somewhere in between. Take time to think of areas you have enjoyed working in and that have provided you with a strong sense of motivation and productiveness. Your home office should make you happy and inspire you while still being comfortable, functional and productive.
Home Office Furniture: Desks
When choosing furniture, always start with the desk, as it is usually the largest and most important piece in a home office. While desk shopping, make sure to take your room size, layout and, work style into serious consideration.
Choosing a style of desk greatly depends on what your primary uses are. If you spend most of your day on a computer, you should look into purchasing a desk that is specifically designed for computer use, featuring components such as a pull out keyboard tray, wire organizers, and a cubby for your tower. If you spend most of your time writing, preparing paperwork, or working on a laptop, select a desk with a large, clear surface area.
If you are someone that needs to have both computer and open surface area access throughout your day, consider a desk like the Cross Island H319 from our home office collection. This “L”-shaped desk provides a variety of set up options, an ample writing area and is designed to house a desktop computer.
Home Office Furniture: Chairs
Once you have found a fitting desk, you can shop for a chair that compliments your desk while providing you with comfort and support. There are a wide variety of ergonomic chairs on the market that help increase productivity by reducing strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, and spinal disc injury. Ergonomic chairs are highly adaptable, often featuring adjustable back and arm rests. This allows you to fine-tune your desk chair to your specific body type, making sure the chair back follows the shape of your spine, your feet are resting flat on the floor, shoulders are allowed to relax and your arm rests match the height of your desk. View our selection of ergonomic chairs.
Home Office Furniture: Storage
Most desks will provide you with some built-in storage options, however, depending on your line of work, you may need to purchase external storage as well. There are options that reduce clutter by hiding your files away, such as under the desk filing cabinets, or ones that put everything on display, like open shelving. For more home office storage information.
When choosing furniture for your home office, take advantage of the diversity of options that are available and always remember to think about ergonomic design. Take the time to find pieces that compliment your office style, provide you with long-lasting comfort while working and will hold up after years of use, without breaking the bank!