Setting Up a Home Office? Melbourne Office Furniture Essentials

Working from home can be a dream for many people who wish to achieve a better work-life balance. When you’re a remote worker, you can skip all the traffic and commuting hours and just start your work in your pajamas. And for parents, working from home gives them a chance to still be close to their kids while working full-time.

However, work-life balance may still be hard to attain if your ‘desk’ doubles as your laundry folding station or your chair frequently leaves you with back pains and posture problems. Studies show that 51% of remote workers work from their living/dining areas and 24.6% from their bedrooms, resulting in 61.2% of them suffering from musculoskeletal discomfort.

Thus, if you want to thrive professionally as a remote employee, you need a dedicated home office. What are these office furniture essentials? Below is a list that could help you.  

Proper Office Desk

Sure, you can have your living room table or dining table as a substitute for a real office desk. But most of the time, these surfaces are prone to clutter and distraction. While you’re having client meetings, your spouse could be doing kitchen chores on the side, or your kids could be playing in the living room. So, investing in a proper office desk can ensure you’re free from any disturbance.  

For those with limited space (e.g., living in apartments), you may opt for a corner office desk. This will make it easier for you to use the often-wasted corner areas while still having some ample workspace. Meanwhile, for those with more room, L-shaped desks offer separate zones for computer work and paperwork.

Other factors you must consider when choosing your office desk are the storage options, height, and material durability. To avoid any returns later, it’s best to measure your current available space before desk shopping.

Once you have a clearer idea of the kind of desk you need, you can visit your preferred Melbourne office furniture store and explore the selection of ergonomic office desks designed for home offices of all sizes.

An Ergonomic Chair

After choosing a desk, your next target should be finding an ergonomic chair. While a dining chair might work for an hour, it won’t hug your spine through back-to-back Zoom calls.  

Recent research shows this isn’t just about comfort anymore but about your health. A survey found that about 59% of remote workers reported experiencing pain issues like backaches, joint problems, or headaches in the past year. That’s slightly higher than their office-bound colleagues (54%). Work-from-homers even reported more digestive problems (37% versus 34%), probably from all that hunching over laptops at the kitchen table.

To avoid all these potential health issues, look for ergonomic office chairs with adjustable height, backrests, and armrests to accommodate your body’s specific needs. Your feet should rest flat on the ground, and your knees should be bent at right angles. Plus, ensure the chair adequately supports your lower back’s natural curve.

Practical Storage

Setting up your home office doesn’t stop after you’ve bought your office desk and chair. You also need to invest in proper storage solutions, so you know where to keep all your paperwork and other office supplies. After all, you wouldn’t want your desk to be occupied with piles of paper, right?

Filing cabinets on wheels are often the best storage options, as you can roll them away when not needed. But for those trying to save space, wall-mounted shelving allows you to maximize your vertical office space. Floating shelves are also good choices for areas with challenging layouts.  

Proper Lighting

Natural light is the best lighting your home office can ever have. However, since Melbourne sometimes has unpredictable weather patterns, natural light can be unreliable. That is why it’s best to invest in proper lighting to prevent eye strain and maintain your energy levels throughout the workday.

A warm, adjustable desk lamp can help you during late-night deadlines, while overhead fixtures brighten the entire space. Meanwhile, you might need to avoid those harsh fluorescent bulbs as they can cause headaches and eye fatigue over extended periods of work. If your room lacks windows, mimic daylight with cool-toned LEDs and opt for the ones with dimming capabilities to adjust brightness levels throughout the day.

Comfort Elements

Finally, it’s time to complete your home office setup with your personal comfort elements. One of the lesser-known perks of working from home is being able to design your home office freely. Your home office doesn’t have to look and feel like a corporate cubicle. Designing your workspace into an enjoyable environment can help you stay focused and productive during long workdays.

One of the best comfort elements you can add is plants. Indoor plants are known for their ability to help increase one’s productivity. Studies show that employees with plants added to their interior space are 12% more productive and attentive.

You can also add a good-quality rug, a framed print from your favorite artist, or a cute pen holder. Just make sure to avoid overcrowding when decorating your home office.

Key Takeaway

With these office furniture essentials in place, you can create a productive home office environment that works perfectly for Melbourne’s unique lifestyle and climate. And while you have this list as your guide, you should still listen to your body’s needs. So go ahead and start building an office that inspires you even when deadlines loom. After all, the best work happens when you feel at home.