Home Office Buying Guide
How to set up a home office
An ergonomically designed space with the right home office furniture ensures you work smarter, not harder. Working on your living room dining table or navigating bedroom furniture as you try to meet a deadline can be a troublesome obstacle for productivity. Adapting your space to your working style can provide greater comfort, boost productivity, and create an efficient workflow. Make light work out of setting up your home office with this handy guide.
Desks and Tables
The desk is the foundation of any home office. Selecting the right one is paramount to building the perfect space that works for you. Whether you need a simple computer desk, corner desk, or side tables your home office design should maintain optimal functionality. The main things to consider are:
- Size - Measure your home office to determine the perfect fit for your space. Flip tables offer flexibility as these can be folded up for storage. If you’re sharing your home office, opt for linkable desks with castors so everyone has enough space, while remaining flexible to adapt to changing needs.
- Working style - Height-adjustable office desks allow you to work standing up or sitting down, while angled workstations let you set up multiple screens to suit your requirements. If your work requires sustained focus, a private work pod is the way to go. If you frequently change up your office layout, look for adjustable desks with castors for greater flexibility and mobility.
- Layout - If you use a laptop to work and don’t generally sit down for long periods of time, a compact fixed-height desk may be the ideal choice. Larger desks and workstations are best suited for more complicated desktops and provide space for all your devices.
- Privacy - If you’re prone to distractions or have kids at home where you work, consider adding a private work pod. These offer privacy to minimise interruptions. If you have space, consider integrating a phone booth. This adds a private room-within-a-room, which comes in handy for phone calls, video meetings, and shared spaces.
At Andoo, we offer an extensive range of desk options for any home office. Whether you’re looking for a compact desk for light laptop work or a large workstation for multi-screen tasks, there’s a desk solution for your unique requirements.
Fixed-height desks
A fixed-height desk is the easiest to assemble and usually the cheapest option. This is ideal for those who like to keep it simple.
Height-adjustable desks
Height-adjustable desks can be adapted for sitting or standing positions. You can also adjust your desk to optimise your working position and create an ergonomic workspace. This ensures long-lasting comfort to maintain productivity.
Flip tables
A flip table offers flexibility for home offices that are restricted on space, or if you like to adapt your work area to suit your changing needs. The flip mechanism lets you fold the tabletop upright to make room when you’re not working.
Work pods
Work pods are designed for those who require complete focus when working, or for those who are easily distracted with their surroundings. These provide acoustic and visual privacy to keep you laser-focused. There are also freestanding phone booths available for work calls and video meetings.
Workstations
Workstations are usually angled to maximise corner areas of your home office. You can set up a desktop computer on one side and other devices on the other side, such as a printer or a second computer. This is ideal for complex desktops, dual-screen setups, and multi-device workspaces.
Chairs
Whether you’re working from home on a big project, or immersing yourself in a new game, investing in an ergonomic chair ensures maximum comfort and support. Things to consider include:
- Back support - Back rests with a moulded or contoured design is shaped to offer better support for your back. Chairs with lumbar support ensure proper alignment to help support your lower back while preventing you from slouching forward, causing discomfort over time.
- Adjustable features - Office chairs can offer adjustable features such as height adjustment, tilt positioning, and removable armrests so you can personalise your seat for better comfort. Having greater flexibility allows you to adapt your chair to suit different requirements.
- Armrests - Armrests offer additional support for your arms, elbows, and shoulders to reduce the load on your body when seated. When positioned correctly to suit your height, armrests can encourage optimal posture.
- Swivel and castors - An office chair with swivel and castors offer greater mobility. These are especially useful if you have a larger workspace, use multiple screens, or are frequently reaching for various devices and tools to get your work done.
- Material - Chairs with easy-to-clean materials such as upholstered PU are a great choice if you’re worried about coffee spills and food stains. If you tend to sweat while working or gaming, opt for chairs with breathable fabrics or perforated back designs.
How to organise your home office
A streamlined and well-organised home office means everything you need is within reach while helping you save time. Our range of smart office storage solutions and cable management systems ensure everything you need is exactly where it needs to be.
Mobile storage
Drawers and shelves with castors offer greater mobility so you can arrange your home office setup systematically. Mobile drawer units keep your office accessories out of sight to keep your home office looking tidy and professional.
Bookcases and shelves
Adding bookcases and shelving units in your home office keeps books, folders, and documents neatly organised so you can find what you need with ease. This ensures your desk is free from clutter, resulting in a smoother workflow.
Desktop shelves
You can integrate desktop shelves on your workspace to ensure frequently-used items are always on hand. Match your shelf with your desk to create a sleek workspace you’ll love spending time in.
How to manage your devices in your home office
Cable management systems and surge protectors are essential accessories for any modern workspace. A well-managed setup helps to reduce clutter, as well as protect your devices from failure and damage. You can work with confidence and have peace of mind with optimal device maintenance and protection.
Cable management
Most modern home offices require an assortment of devices. This means wires and cords can build up causing a tangled mess that can look cluttered and pose a tripping hazard. Investing in a cable management system/cable organiser can keep your cables under control and makes it easier to find the right plugs for each of your devices. This ensures efficiency while also maintaining optimal performance for all your electronics.
Surge protectors
Powerboards with surge protection ensure your devices are kept safe and secure from electrical spikes and surges. This keeps mishaps at bay that can potentially disrupt your workflow, cause data loss, or affect the performance of your gadgets. Surge protectors give you peace of mind, especially if you have a complex network or a desktop with multiple devices.