INSIDE: Considering some much-needed home office upgrades? Use this guide for some of the best tips, all of which are inexpensive and easy to implement. Before you know it, you’ll love your workspace so much that you could use it as your place to escape.
Many of us are spending much more time than planned in our home office spaces in 2020. For some people, it was their first experience living in the dual reality of working from home. Perhaps he quickly discovered that his home office space was not as welcoming as he had hoped.
The vast majority of telecommuters start remote work with a home office setup using what they have, whether it’s in a spare room, in the basement, or in one of the odd corners of the house. Your plan is to just get started and figure out what you need as you go. But what if you’re still not sure what you need to make things better? What if you’re not sure you can improve things within your budget?
The urge to work from home is likely to continue into 2021. If you’re ready to make things a little more comfortable or productive, we’ve got some simple upgrades for your home office setup as you gear up for the new year.
The cheapest and easiest home office upgrades to implement today
Let’s not waste any more time! Here are our top home office improvement tips that won’t cost you much…
a gallon of paint
You’ve probably heard how color can affect your mood. Some people believe that certain colors can improve focus or have a calming effect. While these theories will always be met with some level of skepticism, it might be worth trying to paint your office if you’re ready for a change anyway.
Warm and neutral colors are believed to have the most calming effects. However, if you want to go bolder, you can incorporate a rich, dark wall or even a touch of pink. A bit of green or yellow can help you feel more energized.
If your budget won’t allow you to completely repaint, refresh the wall you’re facing while working with a color that evokes the feel you’re trying to achieve and is complementary to your existing color scheme.
Incorporate a Storage System
Nothing ruins a space like clutter. If you find yourself searching for papers and home office supplies at every turn, invest in some desk organizers, filing cabinets on wheels, or even a small Secretary.
Today’s office equipment doesn’t have to be big, cumbersome, or institutional. You can find many portable and easy-to-build options at big box stores and online retailers that will fit not only your decor but your budget as well. (Elle Decor chose these as her favorite home office desk organizers.)
Nothing starts the year off right like a clean desk and knowing that everything has its place and is on it. It’s one of the best home office upgrades you can make!
Save a new configuration
Maybe you’ve been dreaming of a new desk or side table, but haven’t been able to fit it into your budget or schedule. The good news is that apps like Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor have made it easier than ever for neighbors to buy, sell, and trade gently used furniture and home décor items, like a nice desk lamp and other simple improvements. You may be surprised at the deals you find for your office space!
As always, when you meet in person, take precautions. If possible, do not allow strangers into your house or theirs. If the item is small and easy to move, meet in a high-traffic area where you know there is a constant flow of people and cameras. Do not go alone. And check with your local police station. Many now have parking spaces reserved solely for these gatherings.
Inspirational wall designs
Wall art is very trendy right now. Row upon row of framed motivating sayings and inspirational prints line every home goods store.
You don’t have to break the bank when you’re doing these types of home office upgrades! Even if you don’t have artistic skills to create your own, you can find so many beautiful designs on Etsy that you can print yourself. For $3 to $5, you can fill the walls of your home office space with thought-provoking designs. And at that price, you can change them every season if you want.
an ergonomic chair
Office chairs come in a wide variety of styles and prices. While an ergonomic office chair may be a bigger investment than many of the options on this list, an upgraded desk chair may be worth it. This is especially the case if you experience back pain or muscle fatigue. Dining room chairs are not designed to be sat on all day. Neither were the sofas, if we’re being honest.
A good quality office chair can range in price from around $150 to well over $1,000. If this is beyond your budget, find an ergonomic cushion or pillow for the back of your desk chair.
noise canceling headphones
This can serve a dual purpose: to decrease background noises you hear, and to decrease background noise heard by anyone you are talking to on the phone or computer. This is a must for those who work at home customer service jobs, but maybe it can enhance your workday as well. If you attend Zoom meetings or take calls, make sure the headset you choose has a microphone.
A new headset can really be an inexpensive upgrade. Even some of the best models out there retail for less than $100.
move your desk
Sometimes the biggest change you can make is the cheapest of all. In fact, it’s the best of home office upgrades because it’s free.
Do you know the feeling you get when you rearrange your living room or bedroom? It’s like a whole new space! You can do the same with your home office setup.
Instead of facing the door, turn your home office desk to face a window. Natural light can help improve your mood, especially during the winter months. The simple distractions of a bird landing on your windowsill or a neighbor and their dog walking can be enough to remind you to stop and enjoy the little things.
Rest your eyes for a moment. Get out of your chair and move. These simple moves may seem trivial, but these remote work changes can have a big impact on your overall well-being.
buy a plant
Another truly inexpensive option is to spend a few bucks on a plant for your home office. It doesn’t have to be a large ficus tree like the ones commonly found in the corners of corporate offices. Yours may be the “size of a desk.” good options even if you have a brown thumb, include snake plants and philodendrons. Just make sure your desk lamp or other light source matches the needs of your new plant.
Final Thoughts on Home Office Upgrades
As you can see, it doesn’t take a huge budget to make a big difference in your home workspace. And you don’t have to do everything at once. Take a weekend to do some simple home office improvements and reap the benefits for years to come.
