Set up Your Work from Home Space with These Home Office Essentials
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- 9-10 min read
- Steph Mickelson, Contributing AuthorCloseSteph Mickelson Contributing Author
Steph Mickelson is a freelance writer based in Northwest Wisconsin who specializes in real estate, building materials, and design. She has a Master's degree in Secondary Education and uses her teaching experience to educate and guide readers. When she's not writing, she can be found juggling kids and coffee.
- Madeline Sheen, Contributing AuthorCloseMadeline Sheen Contributing Author
Madeline Sheen is a passionate writer and editor with experience in real estate, personal finance, and mortgage content. Along with serving as an associate editor for HomeLight, she’s worked in the mortgage industry since 2019 and holds a BA in Communications from California State University, Monterey Bay.
If you’ve snagged a work-from-home job, welcome to the club! Whether this is the first time you’re working from home or you finally have the space to set up a home office, this guide will walk you through everything you need to set yourself up for work-from-home success. And while it is possible to work from your bed or at the kitchen table, having a dedicated workspace can help minimize distractions and get you in the work mindset.
Though work-from-home jobs were on the rise even before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic really jump-started the work-from-home model. Prior to 2020, Pew Research Center reports that of those whose jobs could be done from home, just 23% of employees were working remotely. That number jumped to 71% of employed adults working from home all or most of the time in October of 2020.
As the pandemic restrictions were lifted, many wondered what that would do to the work-from-home landscape. Would there be a mass return to the office or would employers and employees continue to use the work-from-home model? As recently as January 2022, Pew Research Center found that of employed adults who say their jobs can be done from home, 59% are currently working from home all or most of the time — many by their choice.
So whether you’re new to the workforce or have switched to remote work, we’re here to help you create a sweet home office setup that has all of the home office essentials you’ll need for work-from-home success.
The space
When you’re ready to set up a work-from-home space, the first decision you’ll have to make is where you’re going to set it up. If you have a room to dedicate to home office use, start there! But you can also get creative and set up a backyard office, a designated corner of your bedroom, or a cozy corner of the living room.
Natural light
Natural light offers immense benefits including boosting your mood, increasing productivity, and reducing the likelihood of seasonal affective disorder. A 2018 Future Workplace survey found that 78% of employees attributed improved wellbeing to access to natural light and views while 70% noted improved performance. If you can find a space in your home with access to natural light, you’re off to a good start!
Proximity to distractions
If you’re working from home with kids, animals, or even a running dishwasher, you know that distractions are everywhere. Choose a home office space that is as far from noisy areas as possible. If there’s a door that you can close, even better.
Amount of space
Work-from-home jobs differ greatly. Some home offices need just a desk and laptop while others require space for file cabinets, paper shredders, and multiple monitors. Evaluate the amount of space that you need and choose a place where you can fit everything comfortably.
The basics
The base of a work-from-home setup is the desk area. Whether you need a small desk that tucks in the corner, a sit/stand desk for daily movement, or a behemoth that can support the need for a large workspace, we have you covered. And don’t worry, we didn’t forget about a place to sit.
Desk
Budget friendly: Coleshome Computer Desk; Amazon $69.99
Splurge worthy: Madera; Article $849
Sit/Stand desk
Budget friendly: Irene Adjustable Height Desk; Ashley $139.00
Splurge worthy: Mid Century Adjustable Height Desk; West Elm $649.00
Sit/stand desk converter
Budget friendly: Standing Desk Converter; Amazon $75.99
Splurge worthy: Mount-It! Electric Standing Desk Converter; Walmart $349.99
Chair
Budget friendly: BestOffice Executive Chair; Walmart $63.98
Splurge worthy: Ergonomic Chair; Branch $349.00
Desk lamp
Budget friendly: Textural Ceramic Mini Cylinder Shaped Table Lamp; Target $12.00
Splurge worthy: Linear Wood LED USB Table Lamp; West Elm $179.00
Bulletin board
Budget friendly: U Brands Cork Bulletin Board; Walmart $7.88
Splurge worthy: Linen Pinboard; Pottery Barn $199.00
Whiteboard
Budget friendly: Amazon Basics Dry Erase White Board; Amazon $35.62
Splurge worthy: Daily Modular Wall System Whiteboard; Pottery Barn $99.00
Calendar
Budget friendly: Calendar 2022-2023; Amazon $10.99
Splurge worthy: Dry Erase Monthly Calendar Wall Mounted Memo Board; Wayfair $120.75
Reusable: M.C. Squares Reusable Monthly Calendar Whiteboard; Amazon $19.99
Technology
Today’s technology makes work-from-home possible for more people than ever before. So whether you’re getting ready for a Zoom call or settling in for some deep work, here’s what you’ll need.
Reliable internet
Compare providers in your area to find the best internet.
Laptop
Budget friendly: HP Chromebook 11” Laptop; Amazon $172.40
Splurge worthy: Dell XPS 15 Laptop; Dell $1599.00
Desktop
Budget friendly: HP 21.5” All-In-One; Best Buy $379.99
Splurge worthy: HP Pavilion 27” Touch-Screen All-In-One; Best Buy $1,409.99
Laptop stand
Budget friendly: Adjustable Foldable Laptop Stand; Five Below $5.25
Splurge worthy: Adjustable Laptop Stand for Desk; Amazon $37.99
Wireless keyboard and mouse
Budget friendly: Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse; Target $18.49
Splurge worthy: Logitech MK550 Wireless Contoured Keyboard & Ambidextrous Mouse; Office Depot $59.99
Bluetooth speaker
Budget friendly: onn. Small Rugged Portable Bluetooth Speaker; Walmart $14.88
Splurge worthy: JBL CHARGE 5; Amazon $179.95
Wireless earbuds
Budget friendly: Wireless Earbuds; Amazon $9.99
Splurge worthy: Bose QuietComfort® Earbuds; Bose $279.00
3-in-1 Printer
Budget friendly: HP DeskJet 2755e Wireless Inkjet Printer; Best Buy $84.99
Splurge worthy: HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless All-in-One Inkjet Printer; Best Buy $224.99
Power strips with surge protection
Budget friendly: Philips 6-Outlet Surge Protector; Target $8.99
Splurge worthy: Belkin Power Strip Surge Protector; Amazon $24.65
USB cords
Budget friendly: Amazon Basics USB 2.0; Amazon $6.94
Splurge worthy: 4-Port USB Hub 3.0; Amazon $15.99
Wireless chargers
Budget friendly: onn. 5W Wireless Charging Pad; Walmart $9.88
Splurge worthy: Belkin BOOST CHARGE 10W Wireless Charging Pad; Best Buy $29.99
USB microphone
Budget friendly: USB Microphone; Walmart $7.39
Splurge worthy: Logitech for Creators; Amazon $99.99
Organization
Depending on the space you have available, you may need to get creative with storage solutions. Here are some options to get you started.
Shelving
Budget friendly: VECELO 61” Bookshelf; Amazon $79.99
Splurge worthy: Keedie 76” H x 53.2” W Standard Bookcase; Wayfair $345.99
Go all out: Lachlan 86.61” H x 94.5” W Solid Wood Library; Wayfair $4,159.99
Filing cabinet
Budget friendly: 3-Drawer Filing Cabinet; Target $64.99
Splurge worthy: Bridgette 31” Wide 2-Drawer Lateral Filing Cabinet; Wayfair $244.99
Space saver: Pendaflex Portable File Box; Amazon $19.99
Security
Keeping your information safe at home is just as important as keeping it safe in the office. Here are some options for your WFH space.
Safe
Budget friendly: Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Safe with Programmable Keypad; Amazon $129.99
Splurge worthy: Sanctuary Diamond 2.28-cu ft Electronic/Keypad Commercial/Residential Floor Safe; Lowe’s $499.00
Paper shredder
Budget friendly: Bonsaii Paper Shredder 6-Sheet Cross-Cut; Walmart $30.47
Splurge worthy: Honeywell 11 Sheet Cross Cut Paper Shredder for Home Use; Target $94.99
Supplies
It’s like school shopping but better! This is everything you need to be stocked and ready for the day.
Pens
Budget friendly: BIC Round Stic Xtra Life Ballpoint Pen, 10-Count; Amazon $2.99
Splurge worthy: PILOT G2 Premium Refillable Retractable Rolling Ball Gel Pens, 12-Count: Amazon $24.99
Pencils
Budget friendly: BIC Xtra-Life Mechanical Pencil, 10-Count; Amazon $4.99
Splurge worthy: Pentel Mechanical Pencil, 3-Pack; Amazon $11.79
Highlighters
Budget friendly: Amazon Basics Tank Style Highlighters, 12-Pack; Amazon $6.46
Splurge worthy: Sharpie 27145 Pocket Highlighters; Amazon $16.78
Dry erase markers
Budget friendly: Browill Magnetic Dry Erase Markers, 8-Pack; Amazon $7.99
Splurge worthy: EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, 8-Pack; Amazon $16.77
Scissors
Budget friendly: Amazon Basics Multipurpose Scissors, 3-Pack; Amazon $7.46
Splurge worthy: Westcott 8” Soft Grip Titanium Bonded Scissors, 2-Pack; Amazon $25.35
Post-its
Budget friendly: Post-it Super Sticky Notes; Amazon $6.24
Splurge worthy: Sticky Notes, 6-Pack; Amazon $6.99
Reusable: mc squares Stickies Reusable Sticky Notes; Amazon $19.99
Notebooks
Budget friendly: Oxford Spiral Notebook 6-Pack, 1 Subject, College Ruled; Amazon $10.46
Splurge worthy: Five Star Spiral Notebook Plus Study App, 3-Subject, College Ruled; Amazon $13.69
Pencil holder
Budget friendly: Fusion Pencil Cup Holder; Staples $2.79
Splurge worthy: Juvale Gold Metal Pen Holder; Target $19.99
Coasters
Budget friendly: 4pk Cork Coaster Set; Target $3.00
Splurge worthy: Charcoal Concrete Coaster with Gold (Set of Four); Etsy $28.00
Details
Design is in the details and customizing your space can take it from a bland place to do your work to a space that makes “going” to work a joy.
Essential oil diffuser
Budget friendly: Essential Oil Flower Diffuser; Simply Earth $12.99
Splurge worthy: Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser; Grove Collaborative $39.99
Plants
Budget friendly: 3 Piece Clean Air Foliage Mix Plant in Pot Set; Wayfair $39.99
Splurge worthy: New Plant Parents Bundle; lively root $152.00
For those without a green thumb: Faux Mini Clusia Rosea Potted Plant; Target $4.99
Coffee mugs
Budget friendly: Coffee Lover Personalized Mug; Etsy $15.48
Splurge worthy: Coffee Lover Pottery Mug; Etsy $49.00
Drink tumblers
Budget friendly: Classic Tumbler – 24 oz; Simple Modern $23.99
Splurge worthy: YETI Rambler 20 oz Tumbler; YETI $35.00
Humidifier
Budget friendly: LEVOIT Humidifier; Amazon $43.99
Splurge worthy: Canopy Humidifier w/Filter Subscription; Canopy $135
Coffee makers
Budget friendly: Hamilton Beach The Scoop Single-Serve Coffee Maker; Walmart $39.96
Splurge worthy: K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker; Keurig $89.99
Hot water kettle
Budget friendly: Hamilton Beach 1L Electric Kettle; Target $23.99
Splurge worthy: Retro Hot Water Speed Boil Tech Electric Tea Kettle; Wayfair $139.99
Under-the-desk exercise equipment
Budget friendly: Portable Fitness Pedal Stationary Under Desk Exercise Machine Bike; Amazon $39.00
Splurge worthy: DeskCycle Ellipse Under Desk Elliptical Machine; Amazon $259.00
Cable storage
Budget friendly: Zipped Cable Sleeve by UPLIFT Desk; Uplift Desk $19.00
Splurge worthy: Computer cable & cord management storage box; Etsy $200.00
On-the-go
Working from home doesn’t always mean working from home. If your schedule allows it, you can work from anywhere — a coffee shop, wine bar, the park, or coworking space. If you’re really on-the-go, we included places to get flights, too!
Laptop bag
Budget friendly: E-Tree Laptop Bag; Amazon $27.99
Splurge worthy: Handmade Full Grain Leather Messenger Bag; Etsy $300.30
Lapdesk
Budget friendly: Corduroy Lap Desk Bean Filled; Target $18.00
Splurge worthy: Traybo; Yogibo $59.00
Power banks
Budget friendly: Energizer – MAX 5,000mAh Ultra-Slim; Best Buy $19.99
Splurge worthy: mophie – Powerstation XXL PD; Best Buy $59.99
Mobile Hotspot
Budget friendly: Total Wireless Prepaid Moxee Mobile Hotspot; Target $49.99
Splurge worthy: Netgear Unite Express Explorer 2 AirCard 797S 4G LTE Mobile WiFi Hotspot; Amazon $144.99
Plane tickets
Budget friendly: Secret Flying
Splurge worthy: SkyLux
Set up your home office in style
Starting a work-from-home position can mean a big transition, but setting up the perfect home office can make the transition much easier. Creating a space that’s just for work can help you focus and be more productive whether it’s a full office or a little corner that’s just for you.
Header Image Source: (Workperch / Unsplash)