How to Create a Home Office You Actually Want to Work In

Interiors & Decor

How to Create a Home Office | Wit & Delight
Photo by Nicole Feest at NYLONSADDLE Photography

Hello from week eight (or so) of staying at home! I hope you’re hanging in there, wherever you are. Our family is ever so slowly settling into our new house after spending the majority of the past few days packing, moving, and unpacking. We’ve been figuring out how to adjust our routines for the time being to accommodate everything that comes along with a move and work and childcare. We’re figuring out where furniture goes, where light switches are, and where Joe and I will best be able to tackle to-dos as we continue to work from home.

Given how much workdays have changed in recent months, we’ve received a few requests to put together a roundup of office furniture and accessories that are both comfortable and stylish—pieces that lead you to actually enjoy sitting down to get stuff done each morning. Today I’m sharing a selection of office chairs, desks, lighting options, storage pieces, and accessories that fit the bill.

P.S. If you’re looking for unique vintage items, I also recommend checking out Etsy and Chairish for your office decor needs!

Office Chairs


Office Chair Wit & Delight
Photo via West Elm | Finley Swivel Office Chair

I’d go out on a limb and say that the chair you sit in is the most important part of your office setup, especially if your top objective is making sure you’re comfortable throughout the day.

Keep in mind that when sitting in a chair, your thighs should be horizontal to the floor and your feet should rest firmly on the floor. A good office chair will also offer padding that’s not too hard and not too soft (the “Goldilocks” of padding, if you will) and will have adjustable settings so you can alter it to fit your needs. I pulled a few options that fall somewhere in the middle of “standard” office chair and chair that can blend seamlessly into the rest of your decor.

Since testing out a chair before you buy isn’t in the cards right now, check the return policy to make sure you’re able to return it if you don’t like the way it feels once it arrives at your house.

(Tip: If you have an existing chair you don’t want to replace but want to make more comfortable, adding a cushion could be a good option for you. This one from Purple was highly recommended from Doree of the Forever35 Podcast.)

Desks


Desks Wit & Delight
Photo via Article | Culla Desk (Save $50 off your first Article order of $200 or more by using this link.)

When choosing a desk for your office space, think of what will best fit your personal needs. Ask yourself, How much space do I have? How high do I want it to sit off the ground? Do I want a desk with extra storage or a simple, no-fuss design?

If you don’t have a separate office space and are looking for a desk that can seamlessly go “incognito” once the workday is through, a few of the below options will fit the bill well (you can actually close this CB2 desk at the end of the day, and this modular desk can double as a sleek shelving unit).

(Tip: If you already have an existing desk and want to have the option of using it as a standing desk, consider adding a standing desk converter to your office setup.)

Lighting


Office Lighting Wit & Delight
Photo via Anthropologie | Owen Table Lamp

To avoid glare on monitors (which can cause us to squint and strain our eyes), good lighting in your home office space is essential. Arrange your computer monitor perpendicular to windows (so sunlight doesn’t shine directly onto your screen or into your eyes) and choose either an adjustable desk lamp that can shine down on paperwork rather than directly onto your screen, or a table lamp if you’re looking for a lighting option that offers a softer glow.

Storage


Office Storage Wit & Delight
Photo via @bludot & @jojotastic on Instagram | Dang File Pedestal

One way to ensure that your home office space becomes a sore spot is leaving piles of paperwork out for all to see (even if “all” is just you). Keep your contracts and marketing plans neatly organized away in one of these discreet filing cabinets.

Accessories


Last but certainly not least, I pulled together a few accessories to make your workspace more comfortable, enjoyable, and easy on the eyes (in more ways than one).

Laptop Stand

Laptop Stand Wit & Delight
Photo via @grovemade on Instagram | Maple Laptop Stand

To help reduce eye fatigue, the top of your computer screen should be at eye level or a little below. If you’re working on a laptop at home and want to raise your screen up a bit, consider buying a laptop stand like the one above from Portland-based retailer, Grovemade.

Plants

Houseplants Wit & Delight
Image via @bloomscape & @muuujer on Instagram | Silver Pothos plant & Hedgehog Aloe Plant

It’s no secret that adding plants into our homes is a generally worthwhile decision. Houseplants have the power to clean our air and brighten our moods, and they look great to boot. So if you’re looking to add something to your office space that packs a positive punch, a houseplant would be a good way to go.

I love the options from online retailer Bloomscape (they’ll even tell you which plants are best for offices that may not get a lot of light) and I think you will, too.

Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source for revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. Wit & Delight stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.

BY Kate Arends - May 13, 2020

3 Comments
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May 15, 2020 11:54 am

A beautiful article, passionate about decoration and fashion. The articles and photos of this magazine are fantastic. A greeting!

May 18, 2020 9:24 pm

The design idea of harmony or everything working together to create the right vibe is a little harder to define because it’s really about creating a space that feels good to you. Thank you so much for sharing this!

July 15, 2020 1:21 pm

Great post! As someone who is on the road more than in the office, I was struggling with how to get organized, be productive, and stay focused. I had the setup with a desk and office chair, but had not spent much time sitting there. The chair was comfortable for sure – but was it too comfortable? I found myself struggling to sit up straight and keep focused on my tasks. Then suddenly my husband gave me his old school wooden desk chair from his college years – in a million years I would have never expected to like that… Read more »

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