As the famous Greek philosopher Plato famously said more than 23 centuries ago, “necessity is the mother of invention.” The relevance of his observation only increased during the pandemic. Suddenly, millions of Americans had to invent new ways to get their work done.
There was a staggering exodus from the traditional office. As of October 2020, 31.6% of the workforce reported working from home, according to a 2022 study by Standford University. This same study found that 53.6% of the workforce reported having at least work-from-home home (WFH) experience during the pandemic.
Did you start working remotely during the pandemic and now your employee calling you back to the office? Or perhaps you are transitioning to hybrid work? Either way, change is in the air! Now is the time to take a fresh look at your home office. Consider how it might be reconfigured, updated, or turned into a multi-functional space as we enter the new year.
1. Ergonomic Seating
Remote work is still common. In a 2022 Gallup survey, 39% of respondents stated they were fully remote. Another 42% worked a hybrid schedule. One downside for some workers is a more sedentary lifestyle. NBC News quotes a chiropractor who’s seen a spike in conditions related to poor posture. Those who are hunched over at their desk or table experience a variety of symptoms, including upper back or neck stiffness, headaches, or lethargy from less blood flow to the brain.
It might be time to consider upgrading to a more ergonomic seating arrangement that offers even, comfortable support. High-quality ergonomic chairs often come with 10-year or even lifetime warranties. Look for adjustability in an office chair. You’ll want control over the height, back angle, back support, and armrests.
2. Seat Cushions
Refine your seating for office work, gaming, meditation, and more with a seat cushion. Double-sided cushions give you a choice between more and less plush surfaces that support your tailbone. Look for cushions that spring back to their original shape when you stand up. Gel cushions are often 1.25 inches thick, whereas memory foam cushions are typically 2 or 3 inches thick. Fine-tune your setup with a lumbar pillow. You can even add an adjustable footrest for either sitting or standing desks.
3. Stand-Up Desks
Harvard Health estimates that standing burns about 10% more calories than sitting. On top of that, standing also promotes flexibility. There are a wide variety of adjustable standing desks to support those who are prone to back discomfort when sitting for extended periods. Some offer motorized operation and multiple height presets. However, it is also worth considering budget solutions like a sit-stand desk converter or a simple adjustable table on wheels.
4. Lighting for Video Conferencing
Just as you want to look your best at the office, you want to do the same during online video conferencing.
Lighting is key, and there are varying approaches. During the daytime, window lighting may work well. For flattering, dimensional lighting position, yourself roughly perpendicular to a nearby window. Avoid backlighting at all costs. Any bright light source behind you will prove distracting. Sitting directly under a ceiling light is also a problem, as dark shadows may cover your eyes.
Ring lights are an ideal solution, day or night. A circular light source ensures soft, even, flattering lighting. Town and Country recommends a variety of ring lights ideal for home offices. Some designs work well with your smartphone, whereas others are better for your computer. There are also rectangular lights with multiple LEDs. A portable lighted makeup mirror is another possibility. Or, keep it simple with a clip-on light for the top of your computer.
5. Expand Your Laptop Functionality
If you primarily use your laptop to work, consider adding a portable monitor to improve your productivity. Did you know that researchers at Wichita State University found that workers who use dual monitors experienced a boost in productivity, regardless of the monitor size they used? Today’s portable monitors are thinner, lighter, and easy to move. They get their power directly from the laptop computer. Invest in a compact monitor arm to get your monitor up and out of the way. You can also upgrade your laptop workstation by replacing or upgrading your keyboard with a new wireless one. Some even feature keys backlit with RGB lighting.
6. Add More Office and Desk Accessories
Consider the aspects of the office that you miss most and consider adding them to your home office space. For example, a whiteboard is perfect for brainstorming and organizing your thoughts. Office trays mounted on accordion-style arms can save space while providing excellent flexibility. You can enhance the ambiance of your home office by adding houseplants or essential oils diffusers with stress-relieving pine, lavender, or peppermint scents.
7. Repurpose Your Home Office
Are you working from home less often than you were in 2020 and 2021? If so, consider adapting your home office space in new and creative ways. You might want to repurpose the space for meditation, remote learning, or gaming. An upgrade to a high-resolution curved screen delivers a more immersive gaming experience. With adjustable lighting, you won’t have to move a thing to repurpose your home office space for meditation. During your work day, go with white light for productivity. Then, deploy adjustable red-green-blue (RGB) LED lighting to achieve your desired meditative mood lighting.
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