Upgrading Your Home Office Setup in 2023? Here's Everything You'll Need

August 23, 2023

We take home office setups pretty seriously around here. Now that home offices are the new (and improved) cubicles, an intentional remote work environment is crucial for a more efficient workflow—and a clearer headspace. The days of crouching over the couch and working in dark corners are long over.

Whether you’re hoping to update a home office setup or you're starting from scratch, it’s worth investing in key pieces to make your space a hub of productivity, comfort, and good energy.

Keep reading to discover the must-have pieces to make your work from home office setup more practical, kinder to your body and overall well-being, and more enjoyable to work in.

10 ideas for upgrading your work from home space

1. Invest in a high-quality ergonomic chair
If your chair isn’t comfortable, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Uncomfortable and poorly made chairs can lead to neck, back, and hip issues.

On the other hand, ergonomic chairs offer lumbar and pelvic support, adjustable seat depths for proper alignment, and effortless comfort, so you have less persistent aches and pains. In addition to helping you physically, ergonomic chairs are known to boost creativity and productivity, and can potentially increase attention spans.

At Haworth, our ergonomic chairs are designed based on over 20 years of science-backed research. The goal: deliver support and comfort from head to toe that helps you work smarter and feel better.

Here’s a list of our best-selling ergonomic chairs for your home office setup. Whichever one you choose, we promise comfort is a prerequisite.

Zody Office Chair

Soji Mesh Office Chair

Fern Office Chair
Best for overall comfort and total back support, the Fern Office Chair is inspired by the natural flexibility of a fern leaf. Each chair features built-in lumbar support that will cradle your lower back in comfort. Plus, there’s an optional adjustment that moves in the 3.5" range for even more personalized support.
Zody Office Chair
Ideal for working on a computer on a sit-to-stand desk, the latest Zody Office Chair is one of the first chairs of its kind that supports sitting down and the in-between “perch” that’s half sitting/half standing (a common posture with a sit-to-stand desk). It’s built on over two decades of independent field studies and knowledge, and it’s one of the most researched chairs on the market. Choose the look you want in leather, full upholstery, mesh, or digital knit.
Soji Mesh Office Chair
For breathable, effortless comfort, the Soji Mesh Office Chair is a cool choice for those who run hot. It’s made with airy mesh help naturally helps regulate your body temperature while providing support and comfort. Available in four colors.
Assure Office Chair
Looking for a versatile, budget-friendly computer ergonomic chair? The Assure Office Chair has your name on it. Built with a seat cushion and generous lumbar support, the Assure Office Chair offers comfort for a range of body types at an affordable price.

If you take one tip from this list, we hope it’s to take care of your body with a better ergonomic chair. Trust us, your future self will be grateful!

2. Swap in a Sit-to-Stand Desk
A desk is so much more than a place to plop your laptop. While it’s well known that ergonomic chairs are critical for a healthier lifestyle, don’t forget about your desk.

A sit-to-stand desk can help you boost your productivity and reduce your back pain. Plus, if you’re the type to sit for hours on end, a sit-to-stand desk can encourage you to get up and get moving every once in a while. This will help mitigate chronic body pain, help you feel more motivated, and improve your blood circulation.

Our Upside Sit-to-Stand Extended Range with Programmable Paddle Desk is one of our best-sellers, featuring an adjustable height range, durable surface, and plenty of space for sprawling papers, accessories, file folders, and post-it notes.

Looking for a desk for a small space? Consider our Ergotron LearnFit Sit-to-Stand Desk that can be easily rolled into place and set in position with two locking casters. It’s spacious, easy to use, and height-adjustable. There’s also an integrated cupholder, tablet slot, and pencil holder.

Upside Sit-to-Stand Desk

Artifox Standing Height Desk

Since we spend about a third of our lives working, finding a desk that meets your needs definitely shouldn’t be an afterthought. But if you don’t have the space or budget for a new desk, consider this mini desk converter that features a generous two-tiered work surface for all your essentials and just the right amount of surface area to fit your monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. It’ll give you the benefits of a sit-to-stand desk in a more compact footprint and at a more affordable price.

3. Incorporate more sources of light
Working in a poorly lit room with bad lighting can impact how you feel and how you work. Good lighting can truly transform a space when done right. (Plus, it looks great on video calls.)

Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to lighting a room with intention:
● Don't rely on overhead and built-in lighting
While overhead lighting is helpful to brighten up a room, it doesn’t add the warmth that standing lamps and table lamps create. The combination of overhead lighting with other sources of light can be the ideal solution for a well-lit space.
● Add a task lamp to your desk
Task lamps are not only super functional, but they also provide a lovely glow to a room that just feels good to be in. If you’re working with a small desk, opt for our sleek Pixo Plus Table Light or our UMA Mini Audio Lantern, which doubles as a speaker and a light source.
● Take advantage of floor lamps
Floor lamps are well-suited by a couch or a chair. They also work wonders when placed in corners where light can bounce off the walls. Go for our Lana Floor Light for a simple and versatile lamp that does the trick with a less-is-more approach.

Overall, good lighting goes a long way to make any room more livable and enjoyable to be in, especially a work-from-home office setup where you likely spend many hours a day.

Muse Portable Lamp

4. Elevate your computer setup
Upgrading your computer setup is one of the most efficient ways to improve your work from home office setup and foster more comfortable, productive work.

By elevating your computer up from your desk, your body will be in a more aligned position. (Think: shoulders back, neck over spine — not shoulders slumped, neck at an angle.) Additionally, raising your computer can be beneficial for reducing wrist pain and making you less likely to get injuries from typing.

Also, from a space perspective, an elevated computer setup will give you more room on your desk for a keyboard. Plus, it will keep your screen protected in case of a water or coffee spill.

If you need to move your monitor right where you need it, try a Single Monitor Arm. Have two monitors? Our fully adjustable Dual Direct Monitor Arm allows you to position both monitors. This can help reduce neck pain and overall fatigue.

5. Use bookcases as functional decor
Ample storage is a huge perk in a home office. Whether you’re showcasing books, decorative accents, plants, or smaller storage baskets, a bookcase can be an effective place to display your belongings in a way that’s purposeful.

Create a unique home library with our Nuvola Rossa Bookcase. It’s a stunning work of art and a storage solution that’s as beautiful as it is functional. It also folds up so you can easily tuck it out of sight.

Looking for a bookcase that will make a striking visual impact? Our Cloud Bookcase is unmatched. This playful approach provides plenty of storage plus a punch of personality.

6. Sst physical boundaries
In lieu of walls, more home office spaces are taking advantage of screens that define personal boundaries and create space for focused work.

For example, our Belong Territory Screen can help reduce distractions and allow for the attachment of Belong accessories (see 7). We especially love it for those who prefer a cubicle-like, enclosed environment without having to go to the office.

Another way to create boundaries in your home office is with our Belong Back Screen, which extends above and below the desktop and along the back by simply attaching it to the underside of your work surface.

7. Clear clutter

Keep clutter from taking over your home office by storing your pencils, papers, and file folders in dedicated spaces. We recommend getting a matching set of organization essentials to help give your space an effortlessly cohesive aesthetic.

The Belong Document Tray and Belong Freestanding Document Tray are ideal for gathering your bills, documents, receipts, papers, and file folders in one place. Tip: Stack your trays to double the storage space. As for pencils and pens, use the Belong Pencil Cup to stash your supplies neatly and seamlessly.

These tools in the Belong collection can be attached effortlessly from the Belong Territory Screen to keep your supplies easily accessible while maximizing space.

8. Maintain a simplified organization system

There’s a big difference between a system that helps you get organized and and a system that helps you stay organized. To achieve the latter, create zones for books, papers, pens, file folders, and other accessories.

Smaller space-saving organizations essentials — like bins, boxes, and baskets — will help you maintain order and ease for papers, pens, clips, and cards. Larger storage solutions will provide much-needed room for your bigger belongings, but they will naturally take up more real estate.

9. Say yes to tables

Don’t make the mistake of overlooking the humble side table. This addition can be a game changer when it comes to optimizing your home office space.

A side table is a perfect way to utilize space, maximize practicality, and add a little variety. Like our Sprig Round End Table, which is perfect for displaying a planter, storing a stack of books, or using it to hold a cup of water or a snack.

Similarly, our Sprig Round Coffee Table is a wonderful centerpiece for a home office. We love using a coffee table for displaying books, planters, and personality pieces that will make your home office feel more authentic to you.

10. Make it easier (and sleeker) to charge devices
Ditch the tangled cords! They create mess, and they’re a hassle to deal with. Instead, keep devices concealed with wireless chargers. They’re clean, simple, and will immediately upgrade your workspace while powering up your devices.

Consider the Courant Wireless Charger Tray that will corral your necessities and charge your tech. Another solution is the Courant Magnetic Charger Stand, a hands-free, dual-device charger that keeps your tech nearby while powering it up and saving space.

How to setup a home office? Do's and don'ts for upgrading your home office setup

While there are many ways to level up your home office space, it can all get a bit overwhelming. To make things easier, we’ve outlined a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when transforming your space to be more practical and pleasant to work in. More of a visual learner? Our inspiration images can help you visualize how you want to upgrade your home office, from a natural nook to a modern space.

Home Office Setup Ideas: Do's

Use 2-for-1 pieces
Multifunctional pieces are especially important in your home office where you’ll want your pieces to work. For example, invest in decorative bookcases and storage solutions, side tables that look good and add value, and tech accessories that keep you powered up and reduce clutter.

Take advantage of vertical storage
Make the most of small spaces by using vertical storage, like bookcases, shelves, and hooks.
Choose your desk and chair wisely
You spend so much time at your desk and in your chair, so make sure they’re supporting you in the way your body needs. Consider ergonomic chairs and sit-to-stand desks that are designed with science-backed expertise and the highest quality materials to make working for long stretches a lot more comfortable.
Add greenery
Bring a sense of the outdoors in with indoor plants. They’re proven mood boosters and air purifiers, and they've been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Plus, they look good in pretty much any space.

Home Office Setup Ideas: Don'ts

Don't shy away from color
Bright chairs like our Fern Office Chair and Zody Office Chair make a big impact, bringing color a flash of fun into any space.
Don't forget the details
Office accessories can be total game-changers when it comes to making a home office cleaner and easier to maintain on a day-to-day basis. Similarly, lighting is the secret to a warm and inviting work-from-home office setup.
Don't underestimate the amount of things that pile up
Sheets of paper here, a pack of post-its there. Get ahead of the clutter with space-saving storage solutions that you can rely on to make your space feel better to work in.

Is it worth investing in your home office setup? Yes.

Our home offices hold stories. The funny moments during video calls, the projects that take up months of our lives, and the work friendships that make mundane days feel a little more special. As you spend so much of your time in your office, consider how you can make it more enjoyable.

Maybe it’s a comfortable chair, a more organized desk, or a pretty vase of flowers on your coffee table. Whatever speaks to you, all of us at Haworth would love to help you make your home office a nicer place to be.