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Working from a home office has become part of the new norm for most of the workforce.

Regular opportunities for employees to work from home offices has increased by 173% since 2005 and it isn't expected to slow down any time soon. The recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has meant that an unprecedented number of people are now working from home. Experts expect this to lead to many more people regularly working from home once the outbreak is over. 

Having a home office is an important part of telecommuting or working from home, but what is the best home office setup for you?

Let's look at the necessities for setting up a home office that will make working from home more productive and enjoyable.

What Are Your Needs?

Determining your needs, from the amount of space you'll need for an office to the type of computer or laptop you'll need, is an important step in setting up an efficient home office. What do you need in an office to properly perform your job?

Some of the basics of a home office setup are:

• Spacious desk
• Comfortable office chair
• Adequate lighting
• High-speed internet service
• Desktop or laptop computer
• Various accessories, like memory cards, surge protectors, and charging cords
• Dedicated phone and phone line
• Multipurpose printer/scanner/fax machine

You can add to or take away from this list depending on your needs.

Privacy Is Important

Having space to work free from distractions is a must when working from home. The last thing you want is a video conference interrupted by a child running around in the background or a dog jumping up in your lap. 

Having a separate room in the house with a door for an office is ideal, especially if you'll have children, roommates, or pets in the home while you work. Having an extra room isn't always an option, though.

If you don't have a spare room for a home office, don't fret.

You can transform a corner of your bedroom into a private working spot. Another option would be using a common area in the home and setting up portable room dividers to avoid visual disturbances. 

Invest in Comfort

Having a comfortable workstation will considerably affect your productivity and efficiency when working from your home office.

Consider buying a dedicated office chair that fits perfectly for you and is ergonomically friendly. Finding a desk that fits your space and storage needs will keep you from having excessive clutter, thus making your space more comfortable and inviting.

Proper lighting and temperature control will also be an essential part of working comfortably. 

Proper lighting in-home office setups are oftentimes overlooked, but bad lighting can lead to some pretty undesirable results. Headaches and fatigue can often come from less-than-ideal lighting and that leads to less productivity.

Trying to work in blazing hot conditions is not enjoyable by any means. Ensuring you have access to temperature control systems, fans, and space heaters will keep you nice and comfortable throughout your workday.

Achieve the Perfect Home Office Setup

Now that you know everything you need for a home office setup, it's time to start bringing it to life!

If you are in the market for a new (to you) desktop or laptop computer to add to your perfectly curated home office, feel free to browse our inventory.