The Perfect Home Office: How to Create a Comfortable Remote Workspace
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1. Everything you need for long and productive work
1.1. Table
An ergonomic desk is the basis of a comfortable and productive workspace. Posture, back health, fatigue level and even concentration during work depend on its quality and design. Therefore, when choosing a work desk, we recommend considering the following nuances:
- Dimensions. The standard length of most computer desks is 120 cm, but if you need to install a large amount of equipment (several monitors, speakers, shelves for documents) - more space is needed. The depth of the table should be at least 60 cm, so that, again, there is room for all the equipment, and the legs under the table are comfortable.
- Materials. The most popular options are wood, laminated chipboard and MDF for the tabletop and metal for the legs. But the main thing is that the structure is strong and stable.
- Adjustable height. A height-adjustable desk is ideal for long working days. If the tabletop rises to a height of 120 cm or more, it allows you to work both sitting and standing. Changing positions periodically helps improve blood circulation, stretch muscles, and prevent back pain.
- Additional equipment. Cable management and cable holes will help you properly organize the placement of cords and avoid clutter. Pull-out shelves or drawers will come in handy for storing small items. And built-in sockets and USB ports allow you to charge gadgets right at your workplace, without using extension cords.
By the way, we have a useful article on how to choose the right desk for work, study and gaming.
1.2. Chair
An ergonomic chair is another important detail of the workplace. After all, reducing the load and proper support for the spine, neck and head reduces fatigue, helps to increase concentration and prevents health problems in the future. Choosing the right chair is an individual matter: some people like a high back, some like a rigid frame, some prefer small office chairs for staff, and others use gaming models as a universal solution for work and entertainment.
In any case, there are a few key points to pay attention to:
- Adjustable height. The optimal position for the health of the spine is when the feet are on the floor and the knees are bent at an angle of 90°. And it is the height adjustment that will help to adjust the chair to the user's height.
- Ergonomic backrest. A high backrest reduces the load on the spine, the headrest relieves the neck muscles, and lumbar support helps maintain correct posture. Modern chairs offer useful features such as height, depth and tilt adjustment of the headrest, adjustable lumbar support and, in most cases, removable soft pillows to support the lumbar region and head.
- Armrests - help reduce the load on the shoulders, often have the ability to adjust the position.
- Upholstery material. Leather or eco-leather looks presentable, but "steams" in the summer, fabric is soft, pleasant to the touch, but is more difficult to clean, and mesh material is well ventilated and creates optimal air circulation in hot weather.
1.3. Additional monitor
Whether you have a PC or a laptop, an additional monitor will come in handy for comfortable work. In this case, the main information can be kept on the main screen, and tables, texts, graphs or videos on the additional one. This makes it easier to work with large tables, code and reports, conduct video conferences, take notes and copy information from one program to another. This type of workspace organization is especially relevant for analysts, programmers, designers, video editors, editors, copywriters and sales specialists.
To adjust the monitor to your needs, choose models with height adjustment, and if there is not enough space to place an additional monitor on the table, it is better to fix it to the wall using VESA mounts.
1.4. Keyboard
Input convenience directly affects the comfort and speed of work and allows you to fully concentrate on the process. The keyboard is also an individual thing: some people like quiet, soft membrane models suitable for working in a quiet environment, while others prefer more durable mechanical keyboards with a clear response for fast typing. There are even special ergonomic devices with an unusual design that are designed to provide the most natural position of the hands. Even if you use a laptop for work, an additional wireless keyboard will not hurt, with which you can move away from the screen to the optimal distance and not slouch. In general, this is a good investment in the health of your back.
1.5. Mouse
A properly selected mouse allows you to rest your working hand on the table without raising your elbows unnecessarily. There are special vertical models with a specific shape, the main task of which is to reduce the load on joints and ligaments, reduce fatigue and prevent tunnel syndrome (pinching of the median nerve in the wrist, which causes pain, numbness and weakness in the fingers and hand).
A mouse will also be useful if you have a laptop, as it is much more convenient to work with than a standard touchpad. Another option is to purchase a keyboard and mouse set at once. In addition, make sure you have a mouse pad.
1.6. Good lighting
An important component of effective work at home is good lighting. Ideally, the desk should be placed near a window to receive free natural light and a dose of vitamin D. In this case, we recommend considering the following nuances:
- If you are right-handed, it is better to place the table so that the window is on the left. Then, when writing or working with papers, the shadow of your hand will not interfere.
- If you are left-handed, on the contrary, the window should be located on the right.
- If you work on a computer, place the table perpendicular to the window. This way the screen won't glare and your eyes won't get tired from the harsh light.
- If the window is behind you, there may be glare on the monitor, which irritates your eyes. In this case, curtains or blinds will help.
- If there is a window in front of you, the bright light can make your eyes tired, especially if you work for a long time.
Naturally, sunlight alone is not enough, especially if you like to work in the evenings or work nights for a foreign company from a different time zone.
Firstly, you need diffused overhead light (chandelier and other lamps), which will illuminate not only the desktop, but also the space around it. Secondly, you will also need a source of local lighting: a sconce, a floor lamp or a regular table lamp. It is desirable that the light is not too powerful and bright, does not flicker or pulse, and the source is located to the side of the monitor, above eye level, that is, does not blind or create glare on the screen. We recommend choosing lamps with adjustable brightness and color temperature, and in case of power outages, a battery-powered model with the ability to operate autonomously will come in handy.
In addition, there are special monitor lamps that are attached to the rear edge. Such lighting reduces fatigue and helps avoid excessive strain on the eyes.
2. Gadgets that improve the quality of work and the convenience of communication
2.1. Headphones
If you live in a house with pets, small children and noisy neighbors, headphones with active noise cancellation will help you concentrate on work. If you need headphones not only for listening to music or relaxing sounds, but also for calls, a microphone is a must, preferably also with noise cancellation. But it is better not to take earbuds and earbuds headphones for work - wearing them for a long time can cause fatigue and damage your hearing. The best choice would be on-ear and full-size models.
By the way, if your work involves frequent calls and video conferences, another option is a Bluetooth headset with a good microphone.
2.2. Webcam
If your work involves online communications and frequent video calls, you can't do without a high-quality webcam. This is especially important for people in professions such as managers, office workers, teachers, IT specialists, bloggers, and streamers (there are special webcams for streaming for them). When choosing a model, pay attention to the video resolution (the higher it is, the clearer and more detailed the picture will be), the viewing angle (the wider it is, the more space will be in the frame), and the presence of additional options such as noise reduction and autofocus.
If we are talking about a laptop, keep in mind that not all of them are equipped with a webcam. Therefore, when buying, it is advisable to choose a gadget with a high-resolution camera.
2.3. Router
Stable internet is another factor for successful remote work, including a powerful router that provides a stable and fast connection, which is critical for video calls, online meetings and transferring large files. When choosing a router, pay attention to the following characteristics:
- Data transfer speed – consider not only the declared speed, but also support for modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6), as well as real flow Rate in your network conditions.
- The 2.4 GHz frequency range provides a longer signal range, but is subject to interference and has a lower speed. 5 GHz is faster and more stable, but its range is shorter. The best choice is a dual-band or tri-band router.
- Number of antennas – affects the quality of coverage and connection stability, but more antennas do not always mean better flow Rate. It is important to have MU-MIMO, Beamforming and a powerful processor for a stable signal.
And models with support for SIM cards for connection via a mobile network, routers with a built-in battery or capacious power banks for Wi-Fi equipment will help insure against force majeure events such as Internet and power outages.
2.4. MFP
In the modern world, most professionals use online documents and files, but there are many professions that require working with papers: for example, lawyers (contracts and agreements), accountants (reporting, tax returns and financial documentation), teachers (educational materials, tests, assignments), designers and marketers (layouts and advertising materials). If you are one of them and do not want to run to the printing house every time for printouts, a good assistant will be an MFP - a multifunctional device that combines the capabilities of a printer, scanner and copy machine, there are even "dinosaurs" with a built-in fax.
When choosing, we recommend considering the cartridge resource, the availability of color printing, the ability to print photos, the speed of printing and copying, as well as connection options.
3. Accessories that make work more efficient
3.1. Laptop stand
Unlike a computer monitor, it is difficult to adjust a laptop to your needs by adjusting the height and tilt of the case. That is why special stands come to the rescue, which raise the screen to eye level, reducing the strain on the neck and back, make typing on the keyboard easier due to the tilt angle adjustment, and allow you to work sitting, reclining, and even lying down - in any position that is comfortable for you and your back. In addition, this ensures natural heat dissipation, although many stands are equipped with their own cooling system to prevent the equipment from overheating.
And if you like to work in bed or on the couch, a great solution would be a stand-table, which often holds not only a laptop, but also a cup of tea or even a plate with something tasty. More advanced models offer additional features such as a USB hub, drawers, lighting and a smartphone holder. When choosing, you should consider the height and angle of inclination, the presence of cooling, the strength of the structure and compatibility with your laptop.
3.2. Phone stand
To prevent your smartphone from lying around on the table in vain and to avoid having to pick it up every time you receive a notification, it would be a good idea to get a table stand for it. It securely holds the gadget at the right angle, frees up your hands and increases convenience during video calls, working with messengers or simply checking incoming notifications. And if it is a model with wireless charging support, the phone will also charge. Although wireless charging stands are more common for this task.
3.3. Desktop wired charger
Often there is a lot of equipment on the desktop that requires periodic charging or constant power supply from the network, and all this requires a lot of cords and sockets. A desktop wired charger will help you tidy up the surface and get rid of unnecessary cables - a fairly compact device with several ports and often support for fast charging, capable of simultaneously charging different gadgets: a laptop, smartphone, wireless headphones, power bank, etc.
4. Additional solutions for maintaining health and ensuring enjoyable work
For tech who are particularly careful about their health and do not want to limit themselves to just an ergonomic desk and chair, the following accessories will be useful:
4.1. Exercise machines
It would seem that it is impossible to combine work at a desk and sports at the same time, but for users who lead an active lifestyle, these are just excuses. There are portable mini exercise bikes and compact walking tracks that can be easily installed under a desk. True, for this you will need a height-adjustable desk - we wrote about such models above. But you will be able to pedal and cover the norm of 10,000 steps without being distracted from the work process. Such activity is unlikely to be suitable for professions that require complete concentration and focus, but during monotonous processes (so to speak, "automatically") - quite.
4.2. Footrests and mats
A footrest allows you to sit in the correct position during long periods of work at a desk, improves blood circulation and relieves stress on your feet and legs in general. It is convenient that such stands often allow you to change the angle and height of the platform, and some also have a ribbed massage surface. The accessory is useful, but by no means essential, especially if you already have a desk and chair with height adjustment.
And while working standing, massage applicators and foot mats will help improve blood circulation, relax, relieve fatigue and swelling. It can be laid under the table and used directly during the work process.
4.3. Massagers
After a long day at work, you want to stretch your back, shoulders, neck and other parts of your body. And you don’t have to spend time and money visiting massage parlors, because the market offers a wide range of home massagers for any budget and for different parts of the body. In particular, there are models like massage belts, chair covers, foot massagers and even eye massagers that can be used right during work.
We hope that with such equipment, working from home will only bring pleasure, and the desire to return to a noisy office (if there was one) will eventually disappear.
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