Editorial Credit: Piatt Sotheby's International Realty

Many people have returned to the office, but others are finding that they will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future.

If you’re in it for the long haul at home, perhaps now is the time to set up a home office that is more functional than your current setup at the kitchen table or on the couch. We consulted a local expert, Andrea Korade, from Knoll for some tips on making sure your at-home-office space works for you.

The pandemic has proven a valuable learning experience for the corporate world. Companies, previously not open to the idea of working from home, have found that many of their employees actually thrive in the home office environment, and moving forward, would prefer to work from home in some fashion.

Technology has allowed our workspace to shrink and many of us need no more than a few feet of work surface and a task chair, but just because that is the bare minimum of what we need, it certainly doesn’t mean that is what we want! I find when planning a space, the best place to start is to walk through my average work day and think through every task I need to complete. What are the resources I need, not just to be functional, but what would make me happy and successful? Once you have a general plan in mind, I recommend these 6 steps to help design the perfect home office.

1. Start with a Good Chair

Stick with proper ergonomic seating products. Anything else greatly increases your chance of injury or muscle strain. Choose a flexible agile seating experience that supports a range of postures and your need to shift between different tasks. Adjust the seat so your feet are flat on the floor. For a change of pace and a bit more comfort, move to a sofa, club chair or other soft seating while reviewing documents or making calls.

2. See the Light

Lighting needs to be balanced for the task at hand. An adjustable task light will allow you to fine tune illumination for desktop projects as well as minimize glare, reducing eye strain and headaches. To avoid glare on the screen, position the light to the side of the monitor, rather than behind or in front of it. For video calls, optimize visibility by having the light come in front of you, rather than from a window behind you.

3. Vary Your Posture

Consider a sit-to-stand desk that allows you to switch positions and postures through the day. Adding an active seat allows you to perch in a posture between sitting and standing which encourages micro-movements that keep your blood flowing, body active and attention focused. An anti-fatigue standing mat supports hips and knees and helps keep posture in alignment. If a “sit-stand” option is not available, use a combination of work surfaces that offer both seated and standing height work postures, such as a dining table and a bar height counter.

4. Bring in Plants

Plants reduce stress and create a feeling of well-being. Placing plants in or near your workspace can also help improve air quality and lower background noise.

5. Soak up Some Sun

Sunlight, even filtered through a window, has been shown to improve mood. Try to situate your workspace so you have natural light streaming in. If that’s not possible, walk around through the day or try working outdoors so you’re exposed to daylight and nature.

6. Have Fun with Your Space

Unlike a corporate environment, you have free rein to personalize your home office. Have fun with color, texture, and include items that not only make your new space productive, but that also bring you joy throughout the day!