The Ultimate Home Office Setup Checklist

Not all companies are able to offer employees a work from home or hybrid environment. However, many are and 25% of North American jobs are projected to be remote by the end of 2022, with continued growth in 2023. Whether your work from home set up needs an update or you are debuting your home office, your space matters. We have compiled a comprehensive home office setup checklist with home office essentials to help make your space a place you enjoy spending time in. Use this checklist to ensure you have the best work from home equipment of 2022.

Home Office Setup Checklist

Electric Adjustable Standing Desk

The desk is the focal point of any great home office and is arguably the most important piece on the home office setup checklist. A desktop acts as a foundation to operate, make calls, and think creatively from throughout the day. It’s sturdiness, ergonomic friendliness, and aesthetic are all key elements that won’t go unnoticed. The average 25-54 year old American works on average 40.5 hours a week – that’s a lot of potential time spent at a desk – and also why we recommend an electric adjustable standing desk.

A wealth of evidence highlights the dangers of prolonged inactivity and the benefits of standing instead.

• Lessen the likelihood of gaining weight and becoming obese
• Lower blood sugar
• Reduce your chance of developing heart problems and other inactivity-related disorders
• Decrease spinal discomfort brought on by prolonged sitting
• Increased mood and energy

You can alternate between sitting and standing whenever you experience discomfort, weariness, or pains with an adjustable desk. As a result, this is a great purchase for someone who frequently works from home.

Ergonomic Chair

Regardless of whether or not you choose an electric adjustable desk, a quality ergonomic chair is a home office essential. At some point, we have all felt the impact of sitting improperly for a long period of time. The work day is too long and without the accountability of officemates, it’s easy to find yourself slouching or even laying in bed! Finding a comfy chair you can sit in for hours is crucial to staying productive – and can help motivate you to get out of bed in the morning. There are many proven ergonomic benefits to a good chair. Your posture is priceless, so investing in a quality work from office chair is essential.

Dual Monitors

If you have used multiple monitors while working, you know it’s a game changer. Once you get used to using 2 or more screens, going back to your laptop screen is challenging! Multiple displays doesn’t just feel better, studies show they increase productivity by an estimated 42%. Setting up dual monitors in your home office might sound intimidating, but its actually relatively simple. Check out PC World’s step-by-step to setting up your dual monitor system.

Laptop Stand

If you are operating off a laptop rather than a desktop, a laptop stand can elevate your laptop screen to an ergonomically friendly height, while also keeping your desk looking tidy. Raising your laptop to eye level helps to reduce slouching and encourages erect posture. There are many styles of laptop stands to choose from. We recommend choosing one that fits the style of your office and will align your screen with any additional monitors you are using.

BONUS: Most laptop stands are open on the bottom, allowing your laptop to properly ventilate and prevent overheating 🙂

Organization System

Even if your desk is initially empty, the papers and notes start to pile up rapidly. When you don’t remain on top of this (and let’s be honest, who does?), you’ll get irritated and waste time looking for documents. In this situation, having a file cabinet or document storage is helpful to organize all the notes, bills, and other documents you collect on your desk. If you are thinking “a file cabinet won’t fit my office aesthetic” Think again! There are plenty of options for keeping organized without sacrificing style.

Effective Lighting

Lighting is frequently overlooked when working through a home office setup checklist. However, lighting has a big impact on your mood and your productivity. It’s something that you don’t get to control when working at the office, so take advantage of the ability to choose your own for your office.

“Constant exposure to harsh or inadequate lighting takes a big toll on employee mood. This affects productivity directly and in a negative way. Focus on better lighting will not only result in cost savings but also improve wellness at work.”

–Steve Todd at Open Sourced Workplace

If possible in your home office, we always recommend letting in as much natural light as possible, however, we know that isn’t always an option. Adjustable lighting or lighting that acts as natural light can help prevent headaches and improve your mood while you work from home.

Plants and Greenery

Adding plants to your office can offer many benefits ranging from health to aesthetic. While a touch of greenery can escalate the style of your office there are many studies proving plants have multiple positive health benefits – mental and physical. A 2002 study found that people surrounded by plants and greenery during various surgery recoveries had shorter recovery periods and required less pain medication than those who weren’t. Additionally, a study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that plants in your home made people more comfortable, soothed, and gave them a natural feeling.

We recommend choosing real plants over fake ones to receive all the benefits. However, if you have pets or children, make sure to choose plant varieties which aren’t toxic to them.

Compiled Home Office Setup Checklist

• Adjustable Desk
• Ergonomic Chair
• Second Monitor
• Monitor Stand
• File Cabinet
• Lighting
• Plants

Conclusion:

Having a comfortable home office that you love can make a huge difference in your work from home experience. A home office designed with good taste is typically preferred, but if you’re spending 40 hours there every week, comfort is a necessity. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other. You can design your home office to be a place of ergonomics, productivity, and interior design.