In recent years, the concept of work has undergone a significant transformation. With people increasingly shifting to remote or hybrid work models, the boundaries between home and office have blurred. This new era of work calls for a dedicated space within our homes that serves as an office and reflects our living spaces’ comfort and personal style. 

 For many, the kitchen table or the living room couch has become a makeshift office, often leading to discomfort and a lack of productivity. The need for a functional, comfortable, well-organised home office has never been more apparent. 

Whether you are a freelancer, an employee working remotely, or someone who occasionally brings work home, having the right furniture in your home office can make a difference. In this blog, we discuss the 5 most essential pieces of home office furniture for this new normal of work. 

5 Must-buy Home Office Furniture Pieces 

1. Ergonomic Home Office Chair

   

   Adjustable Height: Adjusting the height of your office chair is crucial because it helps you align your eyes with your computer screen and maintain a good sitting posture. Proper alignment is important to ensure comfort and to avoid strain while working.
   Your chair should enable your feet to comfortably rest flat on the floor with your thighs parallel to the ground, ensuring good posture. When selecting a chair, opt for one with a pneumatic adjustment lever. This common feature allows you to easily & smoothly adjust the height of the chair.
   Lumbar Support: This is significant because it helps keep the natural curve of your spine in the right shape. If your chair doesn’t have good lumbar support, you might slouch – leading to severe back problems over time. Adjustable lumbar support allows you to modify the chair to perfectly conform to your lower back’s shape, offering improved support and helping avoid back problems.
   Comfortable Cushioning: Having the right amount of cushioning in your office chair is important for staying comfortable, especially if you sit for long hours. If the cushion is too hard, it can be uncomfortable, but it might not give you enough support if it’s too soft.
   When choosing a chair, try to find one with a cushion that feels both comfortable and firm. A good cushion should support your weight well, and retain its shape even after long periods of usage.
   Breathable Fabric: Your office chair needs good breathability to keep you comfortable and to prevent you from getting too hot & sweaty, especially if you live in a warm place or sit for long periods. Chairs made with mesh fabric are a great choice because they allow air to flow through, which helps keep you cool and comfortable while you work.
   

2. Functional Desk with Ample Workspace

   Adequate Surface Area: This is important if you use more than one monitor or have a lot of tools & devices for your work. When looking for a desk, try to find one with a large top surface. This way, you’ll have enough space for your computer & other equipment, and still have room for writing, reading, and keeping your documents organised.
   Built-in Storage or Shelving: This is essential as it helps you keep your work area neat, and ensures everything you need is easy to get. This could be anything from basic drawers to more complex shelves & cabinets. When choosing a desk, look for drawers, shelves, or cabinets that match what you need to store – like files, books, or office supplies.
   Cable Management Systems: Good cable management helps make your workspace look cleaner and more organised. When looking for a desk, try to find one with features for managing cables – like built-in holes, clips, or trays under the desk. These features help you keep your cables neat and out of the way, so they don’t get tangled or create a mess on your desk.
   Sturdy Construction: A sturdy desk is significant because it must be stable and should last long. If a desk is wobbly or poorly made, it can be unpleasant and unsafe for holding things like your computer or other necessary equipment. When picking a desk, look for one made from strong materials, like solid wood or heavy-duty metal. Also, pay attention to how well it is put together, especially at the joints & hinges, to ensure it is well-crafted & durable. 

3. Storage Solutions for Home Office

   Lockable Filing Cabinets: When you have important or confidential documents, keeping them secure is important. This is where lockable filing cabinets come in handy, as they provide a safe place to store these documents and keep them away from people who shouldn’t see them.
   When choosing a filing cabinet, look for ones that either come with built-in locks or have a place where you can put a padlock. Also, think about the kind of filing system you prefer, like traditional hanging files or more modern organisers, so you can pick a cabinet that suits your way of organising.
   Open Shelving: Open shelves are helpful in your office because they make it easy to get to things like books, reference materials, and supplies you use. When you’re looking for shelving units, choose strong ones with enough space.
   It’s good if they can be adjusted to fit items of different sizes. Make sure the shelves are at a height that’s easy for you to reach, and are strong enough to hold heavy books or equipment without any trouble.
   Compact Designs: In a home office, where you might have lesser space, it is important to choose storage solutions that take up little room but still deliver the functionality you need. Look for storage options that save space – like shelves you can mount on the wall, units that fit into corners, or filing cabinets that can go under your desk.
   It is also good to find versatile storage that can be adjusted to fit your space and meet your specific needs. This way, you can make the most of the area in your home office and keep everything organised & within reach.
   Modular Systems: These are a great option for your home office, as they are flexible and can change with your needs. These systems allow you to rearrange, add more parts, or vary them to suit your requirements at different times.
   When looking for modular storage, try to find units that are easy to adjust, add to, or modify. This way, your storage can grow or change with you, whether you need more space for new items or want to reorganise how you store things.
   

4. Adjustable Lighting in Home Office Space

   LED Desk Lamps with Adjustability: LED lamps are a great choice for your desk because they use less energy and give off a bright, steady light that doesn’t create glare or shadows. These also let you adjust the brightness and the colour of the light from cool to warm, which is helpful for different times of the day or for other kinds of tasks you’re doing.
   When picking a desk lamp, look for one with varying brightness levels & colour temperatures. Lamps with features like touch controls and memory functions are also handy, because they make it easier and more convenient to set the light just how you like it.
   Natural Light Sources: Natural light is vital in your office, as it is the best light for clear vision and mood enhancement. It can help improve your mood, make you more productive, and keep your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle in check. Place your desk near a window to make the most of natural light. If there is too much light or it is too bright, use curtains or blinds that let some light in.
   Eye-Care Features: When choosing lighting for your office, it is a good idea to consider lamps designed to be easy on your eyes. Modern lights often come with special features to reduce eye strain, which is essential if you spend a lot of time working on a computer.
   Look for lamps labelled as ‘flicker-free’ – meaning they won’t have the annoying & tiring flickering that some lights have. Also, lamps with ‘blue light reduction’ technology can be helpful. They reduce the amount of blue light, which can be harsh on your eyes, especially during long work sessions. 

5. Ergonomic Accessories for Home Office

   Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse: While regular keyboard & mouse can strain your wrists and hands, possibly leading to problems like carpal tunnel syndrome, ergonomic designs keep your wrists and hands in a more natural position, which helps prevent this strain.
   When looking for these, choose keyboards with a split or curved design, as they allow a more comfortable hand position. For a mouse, find one that fits the shape of your hand well. Also, look for features like padded wrist rests on keyboards and mice, as they provide extra comfort & support for your wrists during long work hours.
   Monitor Stands or Mounts: How your monitor is positioned is essential because if it is not placed right, it can cause strain in the neck & eyes. If the monitor is too high, too low, or off to the side, you might awkwardly hold your head & neck. To avoid this, look for monitor stands or mounts that you can adjust. You want to set your monitor, so the screen’s top is at your eye level, or just below it.
   Anti-Glare Screen Protectors: Glare on your computer screen can be a problem because it can make your eyes tired & strained, especially if the light in your room is very bright. To help with this, look for anti-glare screen protectors. These special covers you put over your screen reduce the light reflecting off it.
   Footrests: A footrest is a good idea, especially if your feet don’t reach the floor comfortably when sitting down. A footrest can help you keep a better posture, essential for preventing back pain. Look for footrests that you can adjust, to find the right height & angle that keep your legs and feet comfortable. This makes it easier on your lower back and keeps you more comfortable if you sit for a long time, which is good for your overall body posture. 

Conclusion 

Investing in high-quality, ergonomically designed home office furniture and accessories can significantly improve your work-from-home experience. These can contribute to a more efficient & organised workspace, and support your physical well-being by reducing discomfort & strain.