The 5 Biggest Home Office Mistakes to Avoid - And What to Do Instead!

Turning your home into a workspace can be a challenge — from the thrill of creating your dream home office to the stress of navigating limited space and budget constraints. If luck is on your side, you can dedicate a whole room for your office oasis and create a stunning WFH masterpiece. On the flip side, some of us are stuck figuring out how to carve out a workspace in the nooks and crannies of our bedrooms or living rooms. Really, setting up a home office is much like planning a heist — meticulous planning is crucial. But worry not, we're here to guide you through the potential pitfalls. Let's explore some of the biggest home office mistakes and how to avoid them, so you can create a space you are proud of!

Strategic planning before setting up an ideal home office space is a must. You don’t just want to add pieces on a whim but plan ahead, maximizing your space and creating an efficient, productive and pleasant place to work in. A mundane and uninspiring workspace that feels like an afterthought will not stimulate you to put in your best work, so aim high and create an inviting sanctuary that nurtures inspiration and productivity. Careful consideration should be given to the layout of the room, optimizing both space and functionality. Deliberate placement of furniture, including the desk, chair, and storage, contributes to an efficient workflow.

If you’re dealing with limited space, consider integrating space-saving furniture, such as an L-shaped desk tailored for corner use. Also opt for multi-functional furniture, such as desks with built-in storage. Avoid dark, bulky elements that can weigh down a room’s ambiance and stifle its vibrancy. For those fortunate enough to have an extra room to set up a dedicated home office, the opportunity arises to seamlessly merge the workspace with the existing home style, décor, and color scheme. Harmonizing hues and textures transforms the office into a stylistic extension of your surroundings. Alternatively, you can select a color scheme and décor that resonates with your personal work style.

Remember, your home office transcends its functional purpose — it mirrors your creativity, inspiration, and personal style. Through meticulous planning, a touch of imagination, and the right knowledge, you'll construct a haven where efficiency and joy seamlessly coexist.

We've all been there — falling for something purely because it looks great and completely ignoring its lack of functionality or quality. Take, for example, the temptation to get a gaming chair as the new seat for your home office. Sure, gaming chairs boast edgy aesthetics, but they often lack the ergonomic considerations necessary for extended hours of use, leaving you wanting in terms of back support and adjustability. Really, most gaming chairs are made of cheap and stuffy materials that make you feel hot and sweaty after a while, and offer a mere puny pillow for back support.

So rather than falling for looks, get a real ergonomic office chair. Put in some research to familiarize yourself with the functionality and advantages of ergonomic office chairs and arm yourself with the knowhow to pick one that’s exactly right for your height, body type, and the way you like to work. Pay attention to the support you require, from headrest to lumbar support, and explore adjustment options like reclining function and seat depth adjustment. Think about your material preferences, from leather and PU to mesh and other fabrics. Think about whether you want a more innovative and futuristic design or something more subdued, elegant, and minimalist. The Serene Executive Leather Chair is crafted with luxurious Napa leather and is fully adjustable, ensuring superior comfort and absolute control over your posture throughout the day.

If you still find yourself torn between the aesthetics of a gaming chair and the comforts of an ergonomic one, a hybrid chair might be your sweet spot. Our Typhon Hybrid Chair seamlessly blends battlestation vibes and substance and offers the most secure back and body support suitable for any body type in any sitting position.

Bid farewell to mundane desks devoid of style and functionality. Instead, view your desk as a long-term investment and a reliable companion for the next several years. Standing desks are a smart choice, because they not only offer the well-known benefits of improved posture and reduced health risks associated with prolonged sitting but also an opportunity to elevate the aesthetic of your home office.

While the market is saturated with height-adjustable desks, a significant portion tends to feature generic and basic designs. Many of the cheap, low-quality standing desks you find all over the Internet feature a single motor that makes going from sitting to standing a slow and wobbly process. These desks also don’t offer a high enough weight capacity to properly handle heavier setups.

When selecting a desk for your home office, view it as an investment in your health, comfort, and overall productivity for the years ahead. We recommend exploring health-conscious and technologically advanced standing desks that seamlessly blend style and functionality. Our 60x23 L Shaped Standing Desk with Accessories Set offers a generously sized workspace with ample room for your entire setup. Alternatively, explore the highly customizable Aero Pro 72x23 Wing Shaped Standing Desk. The Aero is equipped with built-in accessories that seamlessly integrate into your computer setup, providing a comprehensive solution in one single package. For those with a more indulgent budget who seek a head-turning showstopper, the Ark EX, 60x26 Standing Desk is crafted with black leather and oak wood paper, cool trapezoidal legs, and three dedicated drawers, plus a storage shelf to keep you productive and your office looking streamlined

Tidying expert Marie Kondo was right — clutter does not bring joy, and this is true for your home office as well. It's a distraction that hinders focus and productivity. Cable chaos is a common pet peeve, creating an unsightly and disorganized mess. The good news? Solutions abound. Invest in a desk with integrated cable management or opt for a wireless keyboard and mouse to minimize cable accumulation in the first place. If you do have to deal with cables, get some cord clips and cord ties to keep things organized. Or purchase an under-desk cable tray to make your workspace look neat. A keyboard tray and/or a monitor riser will also help create a less cluttered and more spacious area to work.

Next, address your storage needs. Whether you're an accountant drowning in files and papers or a programmer with a more streamlined setup, tailor your storage solutions accordingly. Our Mobile Height Adjustable CPU Cart can fit your PC tower and printer and doubles as a mobile desktop. Our Rolling File Cabinet has two spacious drawers and a practical bag for all your files. The open shelf provides additional space for your printer, papers, and office knick-knacks. If space permits, get a Bookshelf with drawers, which offers a stylish storage solution that seamlessly integrates with elevated living space décor. Say goodbye to the utilitarian office look and hello to a workspace that reflects your style and enhances functionality.

Lighting is a major player in the productivity game within your home office. The magic ingredient? Natural light. A Cornell study revealed that employees exposed to natural light experienced an impressive 84 percent reduction in issues like headaches, eyestrain, and blurred vision. These symptoms can escalate into increased fatigue and various health concerns. If you can, set up your desk by a window with a view of nature and greenery — an instant mood and productivity booster.

But we get it; not everyone has the luxury of a window-side desk. So, what's the next best thing? According to ergonomics experts, the answer lies in choosing indirect lighting for your home office desk or workstation. Why? Direct light hitting your screen can create reflections and glare, potentially causing eye strain. Aim for lighting with at least 4,000 Kelvin — that bright, high-blue-content light keeps you alert, active, and hyper focused.

Let's shed some light on another option: task lighting. Office task lighting refers to lighting fixtures designed to illuminate and enhance visibility in workspaces, making it easier to perform tasks with precision and clarity. It reduces eye strain and improves overall productivity. This is particularly important for activities that require close attention to detail, such as reading, writing, typing, or other tasks that demand visual accuracy. Common examples of office task lighting are desk lamps, under-cabinet lights, and adjustable LED lights. These fixtures can be positioned to direct light where you need it most, allowing you to customize your lighting in your immediate work area.

Setting up your home office can be a challenge, especially if you have to navigate through issues like limited space and budget constraints. Whether you’re crafting a masterpiece in a dedicated room or cleverly carving a workspace in the nooks and crannies of your living room or bedroom, meticulous planning is key. Avoid common home office mistakes by considering your space strategically, choosing the right ergonomic chair, investing in a quality desk, decluttering with style, and illuminating your workspace for maximum productivity. With the right knowledge and a touch of creativity, you can transform your home office into a haven that reflects your style and fuels efficiency.