Four easy tips to optimize your home office

A recent survey of 2,000 people who work mostly or entirely remotely found that 63 percent of respondents now work primarily from a dedicated home office. Furthermore, 55 percent of people who recently moved did so, at least in part, because they needed a better workspace at home.

And workers are looking to customize their spaces now more than ever. In fact, 68 percent of respondents from the survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Office Depot, claimed that their home office still needed improvement.

Whether you are a passionate small-business owner or worker who has adopted a fully remote or hybrid work schedule, consider these four tips when setting up a home office.

1. Find furniture that fits.

Whether you have designated a room in your home as an office space or work from a tiny corner in your living room, it is important to find furniture that fits your space. You can turn any area in your home into an efficient office space with a few key pieces of compact furniture and clever storage solutions. If you do not need a large work surface, a small writing desk will provide you with just enough space to comfortably surf the web, review documents and complete day-to-day tasks.

Office Depot offers home-office furniture collections in a variety of sizes and styles, both online at officedepot.com and in furniture showrooms at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores nationwide.

Ergonomics and flexibility are also important considerations when choosing office furniture. Consider adding an ergonomic office chair to help promote better posture while providing support and comfort. For ease of reclining, look for chairs with a tilt mechanism and tile lock and seat-and back-height adjustments for optimal positioning. Another great investment to consider is a standing desk or standing-desk converter. This type of desk allows you to switch up your workday between sitting and standing, which can help you stay more engaged while you work.

2. Select terrific tech.

Layering in the right technology for your needs helps you not miss a beat while working from home. For example, some people prefer a laptop over a desktop, while still others like to have access to one or multiple monitors. Some additional tech items that may be worthwhile investments for a home office include the following:

• A wireless or ergonomic mouse

• A wireless or ergonomic keyboard

• Printers

• Memory sticks and data storage

• Multiport hubs and docking stations

• Headphones

• Webcams

• Microphones

• Computer speakers 3. Organize and accessorize.

Clutter can be a productivity killer and a major distraction. Prioritize organization, and try organizers designed for each part of your office to help streamline work and keep spaces neat and tidy. Look for furniture essentials such as bookcases and filing cabinets, plus storage carts, decorative bins and baskets, folders and more to help add order to your space.

Staying organized can also help you appear more prepared and professional when conducting video conference calls. You will have what you need right at your fingertips, without unsightly clutter. You will also have the space if you want to add proper lighting, thoughtful decor and desk accessories. An adjustable desk lamp, floor lamps and ring lights are additional options to consider.

4. Use color and light to achieve calm and success.

Your environment has a huge impact on your emotions, and setting up a home office can be the perfect opportunity to create a space that promotes motivation and a sense of calm, starting with something as simple as color.

Some wall colors that promote a sense of calm and tranquility include blue and green, while clean, neutral tones such as white, ivory or gray can offer a lot of flexibility regarding textures, patterns and statement pieces. When choosing color accents or the right home-office decor to contrast or complement the light color scheme, do not be afraid to try daring wall hangings or a variety of bold colors for office chairs.

When it comes to home-office ideas for lighting, it is always good to go natural, as natural light can help decrease eyestrain and headaches while promoting productivity. But regardless of how many windows your space has, a good lighting system can have a big effect on your mood, energy levels and ability to focus. You can choose a combination of task lighting for your work surfaces, general or ambient lighting for more uniform illumination in your workspace and accent lighting for wall art.

Whether fully remote or hybrid, working from home is here for the foreseeable future. By creating a home office with everything you need, you will set yourself up for success, no matter what your professional goals are.