Tips for professional home office desk setup: an ultimate checklist of essential items, budget, and ideal size

Before setting up your home office, taking stock of what you need for furniture and storage is essential. Do you need a desk? If so, what size and style will best fit your available space? Do you need a dedicated office chair, or will a dining room chair suffice? Will you need any shelving or cabinets for storage? Once you know what you need, you can start shopping for the perfect pieces to complete your home office. With some planning, you can create a functional and stylish office that meets all your needs.

It can be challenging to find a moment of peace and quiet in today's busy world. The constant cacophony of phones ringing, dogs barking, and children screaming can be overwhelming. When you need a break from the noise, you must have a designated space in your home where you can relax and rejuvenate.

This space should be away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, where you won't be disturbed by others. It might be a cozy corner in your bedroom or a secluded garden. Wherever it is, make sure it's a place that makes you feel calm and comfortable. Take time to personalize this space with your favorite books, magazines, or items such as candles. Then, when the world's noise becomes too much to bear, you can retreat to your peaceful oasis for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. To be clear, this space should ideally be separate from your home office, as it’s meant to serve as a getaway spot. 

If you spend a significant amount of time working on a computer, it's crucial to have an ergonomic setup. This means that your computer screen, keyboard, and mouse are all positioned in a way that is comfortable for you. An ergonomic design helps prevent pain and discomfort in your hands, wrists, arms, neck, and back. It can also help to improve your overall posture. If you're unsure how to set up your computer ergonomically, several online guides can help. In addition, many office supply stores offer free consultations. By taking some time to optimize your computer setup, you can help ensure that you have a comfortable and productive work environment.

Get a large display for your work desk, just like at the office. Larger screens are more comfortable to read on and help with concentration. They’re far better than tiny laptop screens. We recommend monitors sized from 25 to 32 inches from one of the major brands. Unless you absolutely have to, don't buy a cheap monitor because it can lead to eyestrain when used for an extended period due to lower screen resolution, flicker, glare, poor color, fuzziness, and other factors.

Display resolutions come in a whole alphabet soup of terms but look for any of the following to get that desired higher sharpness: FHD, QHD, WQHD, or 4K UHD. Also, note that the display connector may limit screen resolution. On many computers, video hardware limits HDMI input to 1920 x 1200 pixels regardless of monitor size, which can make monitors 25-inch or larger appear a bit fuzzy.

Good lighting is essential for both your physical and mental well-being. Studies have shown that natural light can improve mood, increase productivity, and reduce eye strain. If you don't have access to natural light, make sure to use lamps or overhead lights to brighten up your space. Poor lighting can cause headaches, fatigue, and even depression, so creating a well-lit environment will help you feel your best.

One of the most challenging aspects of running a business is keeping track of paperwork. Purchases, invoices, receipts, employee records, and customer information must be properly filed and stored to be easily retrieved when needed. However, without a system, it can be easy for important documents to get lost in the shuffle. To avoid this problem, organizing and creating a filing system that works for your specific needs is essential.

There are many different ways to do this, but one approach is to create separate folders for each document type and then use labels or color-coded tabs to keep track of where everything is. Another option is to scan documents and store them electronically, saving space and making it easier to search for specific items. Whichever method you choose, setting up a system will pay off in the long run by helping you stay on top of your paperwork and keeping organized.

If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a desk, it's essential to invest in a comfortable chair that supports your back and neck. Otherwise, you may start to experience pain and stiffness in those areas. Fortunately, countless ergonomic chairs on the market are designed to provide proper support. Look for a chair with adjustable height and lumbar support, and make sure that the seat is wide enough to allow you to sit with your legs bent at a 90-degree angle.

In addition, choose a chair with smooth casters or wheels that enable you to move around quickly. Considering these factors, you can find a chair that will help you stay comfortable even during long workdays.

Due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19, many companies resorted to working from home and using online tools like Slack and Google Hangouts to minimize the risk of employee infection. Similarly, schools closed during the pandemic, and children studied at home via their computers. This was when webcams became popular again, as they enabled remote communication with other people "face-to-face."

BenQ's accessory store includes a proper monitor light bar webcam that brings optimal video and audio experiences with better performance and more functions to ensure you look great when you're on a video conference.

Creating a productive work environment doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple steps make all the difference. Below we reiterate the 8 tips we prepared to help you create a professional workstation that leads to long-term work from home success:

• Decide what you need in your home office: a desk, chair, storage, etc.
• Choose a quiet space in your house: don’t be disturbed by others
• Ensure lighting is good: use lamps or overhead lights
• Get organized and create a system: for filing and storing paperwork
• Invest in a comfortable chair: will support your back and neck
• Proper monitor height and size: from 25 to 32 inches
• Use built-in webcams: stay as productive and collaborative as when you're at the office
• Ensure your computer setup is ergonomic: avoid work-related pain and discomfort

If you spend long hours at your desk, having the proper lighting in your home office desk setup is as important as buying a good desk and chair. A lack of adequate lighting can be detrimental to your workplace. Not only will it make you less productive, but it might even lead to eye strain. And last but not least, a monitor light bar or LED desk lamp used with multiple monitors can be helpful if you need to reference various documents simultaneously.

So, what can a monitor light bar do? The primary purpose of the light bar is to light the surface of your desk or workstation. This compact lighting device could enhance vision, increase productivity, alleviate eyestrain and dryness, and enable you to work more comfortably for extended periods.

To further explain what a monitor light bar can provide, let’s talk about some of the features of light bars. We'll also give examples of why people put this type of light on their monitors.

Below are advantages of monitor light bars that you may find helpful when deciding on home office desk setup ideas:

• Reduce eye strain - low blue light technology removes blue light (420-480nm wavelength) to reduce damage to eyes
• Eliminate glare - sophisticated optics put the light on your desk and keep it off your screen
• Intelligent brightness and color - color "temperature" can impact your focus and mood
• Save desk space - say goodbye to cluttered workspaces. No space is needed for a lamp base and extra wires
• Zero flicker LED - acts like an incandescent lamp, promoting a productive and efficient work environment

Poor lighting in the workplace damages our physical and mental health, causing headaches and fatigue. Monitor light bars provide excellent illumination and a better working environment without increasing screen glare. Most importantly, they reduce problems associated with extensive monitor usage, such as eye strain and headaches.

After learning the importance of proper desk lighting and the advantages of choosing a monitor light bar, make sure that you choose the right one for your needs and that it is compatible with your monitor.

Answer: It depends on the type of office and the features you want. A simple home office with a desk, chair, and lamp can be set up for as little as $100, while a more elaborate home office with built-in shelves and a desk could run you as little as $500 or as much as $5000.

Answer: Around 100 square feet. It should be large enough to fit a desk, chair, and storage for your office supplies but small enough to not take up too much space in your home.

Answer: One important factor to keep in mind is that a well-designed home office can add value to your home. So if you're considering selling your home in the future, it may be worth investing in a friendly home office that will make your house more appealing to buyers.

Answer: Some basic things you'll need for your home office are a desk, chair, shelves, storage bins, and a filing cabinet. You can find great deals on these items at secondhand stores or online auction sites.

Answer: If you want a more professional look in your home office, you can buy or rent cubicles, conference tables, and other office furniture. You can also install carpeting, window coverings, and other decorative touches to make the space feel more like your own.