How you set up your home office greatly influences your productivity, creativity, and overall comfort. So, even minor smart adjustments to your workspace can improve your performance. Here are some updates you can make to transform your home office into a more efficient and tidy space.
1
Buy a Height-Adjustable Standing Desk
Sitting in a chair all day can negatively affect your posture, which could lead to back problems, especially lower back pain. You might not notice this right away, but over time, it can become a serious issue. To reduce the risks of a sedentary lifestyle, you must alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.
A height-adjustable standing desk can help with this. It allows you to adjust the desk height, keeping your device at eye level as you switch between sitting and standing. When choosing a desk, look for a sturdy, durable model that’s easy to adjust and fits your workspace size and needs—without breaking the bank. Check out our top recommendations for standing desks.
2
Upgrade to an Ergonomic Chair
Even with a standing desk, you can still experience back pain if you’re using a standard, non-ergonomic chair, especially if you sit for long periods. In fact, you may also face neck and shoulder strain. That’s why you must invest in an ergonomic chair that supports proper posture, aligns your spine, and provides adequate cushioning.
Look for an ergonomic chair with adjustable features such as seat height, armrests, lumbar support, and tilt. The fabric should be breathable to prevent heat buildup in the summer, and the chair should be durable enough to last. Don’t forget to adjust the height so your feet are flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90-degree angle.
If you’re currently using a single display for work, adding an extra screen can boost your productivity. An additional display reduces the need to constantly switch between tasks or open windows constantly, making multitasking easier. With more screen space, you can keep one screen for work and use the other for research, checking emails, chats, and comparing documents.
Make sure the new monitor matches your primary screen in size and resolution, as mismatched displays can cause eye strain. Position the monitor at eye level and align it to avoid neck discomfort. If you have a spare laptop, you can also use it as a second display with your PC, which can save you money on buying a new monitor.
4
Organize Your Cables Neatly
A tangled mess of cables not only makes it hard to find the right cord, but it can also ruin the professional appearance of your workspace. Cables trap dust and make cleaning more challenging. Personally, I find a cluttered desk setup distracting and hard on my eyes. When dealing with tangled wires, I often accidentally turn off my PC.
Proper cable management can prevent these problems. Use cable clips, zip ties, or Velcro straps to bundle and organize cords neatly. You can also install a cable management tray under your desk to keep wires off the floor. If you have trouble identifying cables, label them for an even cleaner and more professional setup.
5
Use Stands for Convenience
Keep your main computer at the right height and angle, but neglecting the positioning of other devices you use, such as your phone, extra laptop, or tripod, can also lead to poor posture, which can strain your neck, back, and wrists. You also risk accidentally knocking them off your desk, and if they’re not organized, they contribute to clutter.
To avoid these issues, you must invest in stands to keep your devices properly positioned. For example, you can get a laptop stand that raises it to eye level, a smartphone holder for hands-free use, a stand for comfortable reading or sketching, or a tripod to record videos or attend virtual meetings using your phone as a camera.
6
Leverage Smart Devices
If you’re not using smart assistants and devices in your home office, you’re definitely missing out. These devices can handle routine tasks that often distract you, which allows you to stay focused on your main work. By automating repetitive tasks, you can save time and avoid manual effort. These additions can also help make your office feel more modern.
For example, you can use Alexa or Google Assistant to get updates, set reminders, and control your lighting and ambiance. You can even schedule meetings or perform other tasks using voice commands. A smart bulb lets you adjust the lighting to match your mood or reduce eye strain, while a smart thermostat optimizes the office temperature.
If you have numerous gadgets to connect to your laptop and keep adding more, your computer may run out of available ports. This means you’ll constantly have to unplug one device to connect to another, which can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if your device has limited ports to begin with.
This is where a USB hub comes in handy. It typically offers four or more ports, allowing you to connect your gadgets easily. Buy a hub with a few extra ports in case you add more devices later. If you plan to connect power-hungry devices, choose a powered USB hub. Check out our recommendations for the best USB-C hubs available.
8
Improve the Lighting Around Your Workspace
Poor lighting in your workspace can strain your eyes, lead to headaches, and make it difficult to concentrate, all of which can reduce your productivity. After a few hours of work, you’ll likely feel fatigued. To protect your eye health, you must improve your lighting. If you’re not looking to invest in extra equipment, place your desk near natural light, such as a window.
If natural light isn’t an option, consider getting a desk lamp to provide focused light. You can also install soft LED lights or smart bulbs that let you adjust the lighting to fit the time of day or your mood. Proper lighting will help you focus better, get more done, and work longer without experiencing eye strain.
EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp
$60 $86 Save
$26
While the changes mentioned above can improve your home office, you don’t need to implement all of them, especially if you have a limited budget or don’t feel they’ll have a huge impact. However, over time, these adjustments can create a more comfortable workspace, helping you stay focused and productive. So, why wait?
