How to Design a Home Office Workspace 2020: Planning and Setting up Furniture

Making the transition to a home office doesn't have to be a headache. With many people being forced to work from home over the next several months, we thought it would be helpful to share the tips, product suggestions and space planning advice needed to create an effective space that's built for productivity.

Step 1: Select Your Home Office Space

If you don't already have a dedicated space for working and studying at home, the first step in the process is to select one. In most cases, your best option will be a guest bedroom or loft. We know that space is always at a premium, and at a minimum we recommend areas 8' x 8' (or 64 sq. ft.) to ensure you have the room to work efficiently.

In the event you don't have a room that can serve as a blank canvas to design your home office, It may not be realistic for you to clear out an entire space to create a temporary workspace. If this is the case, you'll need to consider alternatives like small home office corner desks that can work alongside existing bedroom furniture.

Most of us will be working from home for the next several months and we won't have too many guests. If you have the ability to clear out your guest bedroom furniture, it might be your best option. In the long run, it will be a better use of available square footage.

How to Plan Your Home Workspace 

Once you have a dedicated area cleared, take the time to measure it effectively. This is a critical step in the design process that will help you determine what will fit. The number one issue we see is that individuals fail to measure their space properly and the end result is an overcrowded interior that's difficult to work in.

When measuring your space, be sure to take note of all entry ways, power outlets, and windows that will affect the way your furniture is arranged.

Step 2: Know What Furniture You'll Need to Work from Home

To design an effective home office space you'll need 3 key things. 

1. The first is home office desk. It will serve as the focal point of your interior. 
2. The second thing you'll need is a well rounded ergonomic chair that's easy for all family members to operate. 
3. Thirdly, you'll need to incorporate some storage to help you stay organized.

Step 4: Know How Much You Should Spend on Home Office Furniture

Once you've determined what you need, don't rush out and start splurging on new furniture. Do a little bit of research and set a budget that you can live with. On the low end, you can create a small home office space that gets the job done for about $500.00. On the high end you can spend several thousand dollars on upscale home office furniture. All things considered, most consumers spend between $1000.00 and $1500.00 when designing a home office space.

Step 5: Select Your Home Office Desk

You'll have plenty of options when it comes to selecting an office desk. If you're limited on space, a smaller computer desk will be your best option. Here's a few popular options to consider.

Popular Home Computer Desks:

Studio C Credenza Desk with Hutch - $1017.00

Surplus Small Rustic Home Office Desk - $238.00

Piedmont Contemporary Home Office Desk - $270.00

If you've got a bit more space to work with, a larger executive style desk with an L or U shaped design will be your best option. Here's a few of our favorites for every price point.

Popular Home Executive Desks:

Amber L-Desk with Hutch - $1179.00

Series A Corner Desk - $1271.00

Mirella U-Desk - $1589.00

Superior Laminate U-Desk - $914.00

Step 6: Select Your Office Chair

Selecting a chair is a very personal thing. That being said, it can be difficult to select a high quality chair that's comfortable for the whole family to use in your shared space. To help you get started, we've provided a list of best selling ergonomic chairs under $500.00 below. These well rounded seating solutions are user friendly, super comfortable, and extremely well made. You really can't go wrong with any of them!

Best Selling Office Chairs Under $500.00:

Roswell Mesh Chair - $399.00

iDesk Ambarella Chair - $250.00

Global Factor Chair - $296.00

Eurotech Elevate Chair - $349.00

Offices To Go Mesh Managers Chair - $267.00

Step 7: At-Home Office Storage Ideas

You can't very well conduct business from home if you're not well organized. Even if you have an existing home office space, the odds are your file drawers are littered with old bills and documents that need to be purged. Before adding new cabinets for storage, we recommend clearing out what you don't need. Once complete you can reevaluate how much space you need.

In most cases you'll buy your new home office furniture from a full service collection. It's definitely smart to do so! Why you ask? Full service collections make it very easy to furnish interiors with matching storage components like wall cabinets, overhead hutch units, and desk side pedestals. Check out the list of full service office furniture collections below that include awesome storage cabinetry.

Best Office Furniture Collections:

Mirella

Studio C

Superior Laminate

Amber

Medina

Step 8: Prep For Delivery and Installation

Once you've purchased furniture for your home office space, you'll have a window for pre time before components start arriving. If you're ordered everything from one brand, there will likely be just one delivery. Multiple brands typically means multiple shipments and you should plan accordingly.

Contact your dealer direct after making your purchase to ensure components are in stock and available for shipment. In stock furniture typically arrives within 5 to 7 business days. With everything that's going on currently, lead times can be extended a bit.

Approximately 3 days before your furniture arrives, create an area in your garage to put all the components. Avoid bringing everything at once if possible to avoid an overcrowded assembly process. Brining in components one at a time is the best way to go.

When your furniture arrives, have basic tools on hand for assembly. Two people can put together everything needed for a home office in about 3 hours.

Once all your furniture has been assembled, you'll have plenty of boxes and debris that needs to be removed. Prepare accordingly.

Step 9: Accessorize As Needed

We've outlined the steps for a basic home office design. That being said, there are a few comforts you might be missing from your space at work. Consider adding accessories such as a monitor arm, keyboard tray, and CPU holder to ensure you can work comfortably throughout a full day.

Need help planning your home office space? Call us at 800-867-1411 or Contact Us