Set up Your Work from Home Space with These Home Office Essentials

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.

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