When equipping a home office, there are several important factors to take into account.
Space is generally a big concern, since all of the office furniture and equipment
needs to fit comfortably in one room while providing enough space to do your work
and enough storage space to hold archived files, reference books, and other supplies.
Desks vary from just big enough for a computer, monitor and keyboard to huge corner
desks with enough space to hold the computer equipment as well as spreading out
paperwork or placing other office equipment. Chairs may be inexpensive armless task
chairs or high end ergonomically designed executive models. Storage furniture such
as bookcases and file cabinets are also useful additions to the organized home office,
providing space for storing files, references and supplies.
When deciding what furniture to buy for your home office, consider what you really
need, what you would like to have, and how much space you have to fit it in. Sometimes
it may be practical to keep file cabinets and bookcases in a separate room, while
other home offices may have plenty of space for everything. For home offices that
have to share space with other home activities, a small computer cart may be the
most appropriate desk option, with storage space added wherever it fits.
Another consideration is always budget. Home office furniture is available in a
wide range of quality levels, from plywood or wire-frame bookcases to hardwood corner
desks. A shoestring budget doesn't need to stop you from getting the furniture you
need, and inexpensive furniture can still potentially be stylish and attractive.
Desks
Desks, which may also be known as workstations, are an essential piece of furniture
for most home offices. A computer is an essential feature of modern home offices,
and many desks are designed around the assumption that they will need to hold a
monitor, keyboard and mouse for computer work. Depending on the desk design, there
may also be surface space for doing paperwork, storing files, or placing other equipment
such as a printer or scanner.
Computer
Cart
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Computer carts are an inexpensive, space saving version of the desk which has just
enough surface space for the monitor and tower, often with a roll-out keyboard shelf.
Computer carts are generally mounted on wheels so they can easily be moved around
or stowed in a corner when not in use. Because they are designed to take up very
little space, there is no additional desk surface for paperwork, and the limited
size can sometimes be awkward or uncomfortable for those used to more space to spread
everything out.
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Writing
Desk
Writing desks are designed with writing in mind rather than computer work, so they
are smaller than many other office desks. They generally have four legs rather than
panels supporting the surface of the desk, and the surface is generally a flat rectangle
of a size to comfortably do paperwork or write letters. Most writing desks incorporate
a drawer or two beneath the writing surface in which to store writing supplies.
Writing desks are decorative as well as functional, so they often come in elegant
designs and finishes, with matching chairs. Depending on your needs and the decor
of your home, a writing desk may be ideal or impractical. Adding a desktop computer
generally takes up most of the working space, and may require awkward positioning
of the keyboard and monitor. Laptop computers can work well on a writing desk however,
since they take up less space and can be easily moved to clear space for other work.
Computer
Desk
A computer desk is one designed to accommodate a computer, monitor, keyboard and
mouse. At its simplest, this may be essentially a table surface with a roll-out
shelf for the keyboard and mouse. They generally use panels rather than legs to
support the work surface, and those panels are often expanded to include cabinet
or shelf space for storage or to house the computer tower. Many computer desks also
incorporate a hutch, which provides additional shelf space above, behind or to the
side of the computer monitor.
Corner
Desk
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A corner desk is simply a desk designed to be placed in the corner of a room. There
are typically two rectangular work surfaces that meet at a right angle, with the
outside of the angle placed in the corner and the outside edges of the work surfaces
running along the two walls that meet in the corner. The user then sits in the corner
formed by the desk, a position that lets them easily reach and use all of both work
surface areas. Many designs place the computer monitor in the corner, either flat
on the surface or on a raised platform. Like other desk styles, corner desks may
also incorporate a roll-out keyboard shelf, a hutch over one or both sides, and
shelving or cabinets in the side supports.
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Another essential piece of furniture for any office is the chair. There should generally
be at least one chair for use when working at the desk, and some people may find
it useful to have additional chairs in their home office for guests such as clients,
helpers, or even family members.
Adjustable Features
Most desk chairs are adjustable to fit the user, but how adjustable they are can
vary greatly from model to model. The simplest and most common type of adjustment
is height, which is generally achieved by pulling a hydraulic lever beneath the
seat to let the seat level go up or down to suit the height and posture of the user.
Other adjustments that may be available include the tilt angle of the seat, how
far back or forward on the seat the back is placed, and the tilt angle of the back.
Many chairs are designed to swivel back and forward so that the user can lean back
comfortably and have the chair lean back or return to upright position as they do.
This sort of chair often includes a lever with which to lock the tilt angle, either
in an upright or leaning position. Chairs with arms may have adjustments for the
height and separation width of the arms.
The many adjustment features available in office chairs today are intended to make
the chair more ergonomically correct for each individual user. The adjustments make
the chair customizable, and should be used to make the chair as comfortable as possible
for long periods of time spent working. In general, more adjustability means a more
expensive chair, but even basic office chairs should offer at least height adjustment.
Types of Chairs
In addition to the familiar chair with a seat, back and armrests, there are a variety
of other configurations available. Many task chairs have a seat and back, but no
armrests. This style is generally less expensive, but may also be chosen as a matter
of preference for users who aren't comfortable with armrests. Another office seating
option is the stool, which has a padded seat but no back or arms. This sort of seat
is generally most useful in situations where the user is getting up and sitting
down frequently. For users sitting for long durations, some sort of back support
is generally recommended, although it can also be a matter of preference.
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Some innovative chair designs try to encourage core strength and good posture. This
may be achieved by contouring to encourage good posture, as will saddle seats and
kneeling stools. Other types of seat use mobility to encourage active sitting and
constant engagement of the core muscles.
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The
Swopper
stool, for instance, has a stool seat and uses a patented system to make the seat
tiltable, so that the user needs to use core muscles to keep their balance while
sitting and working. The tilt sensitivity can be adjusted to be more or less mobile,
for an easier or more intensive seat. Other types of chair that offer similar core
muscle exercise include frames used with inflatable rubber balls as the seat. Some
enthusiasts simply use an appropriately sized inflatable yoga ball as a chair so
that they are constantly bouncing and moving while seated at work.
Chair Mats
Most office chairs are mounted on casters, which allow the chair to roll freely
and aid in sitting down to work and getting up. This can cause extra wear on carpets
and other flooring materials, but if wear is a concern, there are plastic chair
mats that can be placed on the floor in front of the desk as a safe surface for
the chair to roll on.
Storage Furniture
Furniture such as bookcases and file cabinets can be very useful in a home office
depending on the type of work being done and what sort of physical paperwork and
supplies need to be kept on hand.
Bookcases
Bookcases and the shallower media cases designed for use with CDs and DVDs can be
very useful additions to a home office. They can be used to keep reference books,
records and computer backup disks easily accessible and the shelf space can also
be used to store office supplies if other space is limited. Bookcases are available
in a wide variety of sizes and finishes, and are generally made of wood or metal.
Depending on the space available and the materials to be stored, there are a variety
of sizes to choose from. Height generally determines the number of shelves that
a bookcase can have, although many models allow the owner to adjust the height of
each shelf individually. This lets the owner make space for oversized books and
supplies, or fit in more shelves for smaller books and supplies. Width is also a
consideration, and bookcases may be narrow enough to fit in a closet or wide enough
to take up most of a wall.
File
Cabinets
File cabinets are designed specifically for the storage of files, and have limited
usefulness for other purposes. They generally consist of one or more drawers wide
enough for a file to fit easily, with rails along the top edge for hanging file
folders to hang from. Some larger designs have wider drawers with rails run from
front to back in the middle so that several rows of files can be hung in the same
drawer. File cabinets typically range in height from two drawers up to four drawers,
and they may be made of metal or wood.
Prices
Computer Carts
Computer carts may be made of wood, metal or a combination of metal and glass, and
matching tables or shelves are often available in the same style. The smaller size
generally makes this a less expensive option, saving money as well as space. Prices
range from around $50 to over $400.
Writing Desks
Writing desks range widely in price depending on size, style and material. Inexpensive
versions are available for under $100, while larger and more elegant models may
cost close to $2000.
Computer Desks
Computer desks come in many shapes, sizes, styles and materials. Some inexpensive
versions may cost less than $50, while executive styles can cost well over $2000.
Corner Desks
As with other types of desk, price can vary widely based on several factors. Many
basic corner desks cost less than $100, while larger executive versions can cost
well over $2000.
Chairs
Chairs also have a wide range of prices to choose from. In general, more adjustability
or higher end materials such as leather will increase the price, but many quality
chairs are available at lower prices too. Basic models may cost around $50, while
executive versions can cost well over $1000.
Bookcases
Depending on size, style, and material, bookcases can cost less than $50 or more
than $5000. Basic versions in a wide range of sizes are generally available for
less than $200.
File Cabinets
Prices for file cabinets vary depending on size and material. More decorative versions
with wood paneling and larger models generally cost more than basic metal versions
and smaller models. Prices range between around $50 and over $6000.
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