Must Haves for the Home Office

If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated home office, you have probably already given some thought to the basics — desk space, comfortable seating, and the equipment needed to perform your job. But, it’s important to also consider making your home office a place you want to work. In other words, it is possible to create both an effective and stylish home office. The key is to bring together function and your own personality while also considering how to make the most of your work space. 

To create a productive and comfortable home office, there are five important must-haves you should consider. 

Good Lighting

Task lighting refers to the placement of additional lighting fixtures to illuminate specific areas allowing for greater productivity and comfort. Good lighting is an essential element in any office environment. Task lighting can range from a sophisticated overhead ring light to simply adding a small desk lamp near your workspace. 

Natural lighting is best, but task lighting has the added benefit of providing illumination directly where it's needed most to help reduce eye strain caused by inadequate light levels. This type of lighting also creates a sense of focus and allows you to get more done in less time.

Adding lighting in your home office is also important if you’re using a Webcam for virtual meetings. Ring lights and key lights can improve video quality, remove shadows, and generally help you look better during video calls and web conferences. 

There’s no need to go out and spend large sums of money for good lighting. Office lighting solutions are small, easy to use, and inexpensive. 

Ergonomic Laptop Stand

When working in one spot for long periods of time, it is important to adjust the height of your laptop for better viewing angles. An ergonomic laptop stand helps your body relax and ensures you are seated in a comfortable position. 

Using an ergonomic laptop stand has another important benefit. Not only can it improve your posture while sitting at a desk, it raises your laptop so that the camera is at eye-level. If you’ve ever been on a video call with someone who seemed to be looking down at you or angled in an awkward way, then you know the importance of camera level. 

Stylish Storage Solutions

Storage is essential in any office. Without it, your space can quickly become unorganized and overwhelming. Create designated spaces for files, papers, and office supplies so everything stays neat and tidy. Additionally, using stylish and unique storage solutions gives your space a bit of personality and uniqueness. 

Whether it’s shelving, filing cabinets, or a simple desk organizer, storage solutions are an opportunity to make your space your own while keeping your office organized and clutter-free. Consider acrylic items that offer a neutral base and won’t need to be updated should you decide to change or modify the decor later. 

Having ample storage makes it easier to locate important documents and other items as opposed to rummaging through piles to find what you need. Many retailers offer colorful options for necessities like paper and binder clips allowing you to accessorize your office with stylish, yet functional pieces. 

Personalized Notes & Paper

There’s something about good quality paper stock that makes even the most mundane note-taking more interesting. Making lists and writing things down has been shown to increase productivity, but why not also personalize your notes rather than using boring legal pads? 

In today’s modern world, most people opt for electronic calendars and reminders, but there’s something special about a handwritten note on a beautiful piece of stationery. Choose notepads made of high quality paper complete with your initials, colorful designs, or inspirational quotes to tease the senses and add a bit of luxury to an otherwise basic office supply.

Set the Mood

Having items like colorful organizers, plants, and artwork add some style to your workspace, but now it’s time to set the mood. Research has shown that scent has the power to help us focus or destress. A great candle alternative is a fragrance warmer. Many scent warmers come with automatic timers, so it’s easy to safely turn it on and forget it. The scents are also pleasant, without being overwhelming. 

When designing your home office, it’s important to think about what type of furniture will best suit your needs, and to look for organizational pieces such as shelves to store necessities like books or papers if needed. But, don’t ignore the value of adding some personal style to your workspace. If you have to spend considerable time in a home office, you might as well make it an attractive, comfortable space that you don’t dread entering at the start of your day.