How To Have a Cool Home Office Setup: My Personal Journey
When I first started working from home, I had no idea how important a good home office setup would be, especially for my focus, health and happiness.
Honestly, I thought I could just grab my laptop, sit on the couch (or worse, in bed), and get through the day.
Spoiler: I was wrong. 🙃🙃
What I didn’t realise was that working from home isn’t just about where you work, it’s about how you shape your environment to support you.
This is the story of how I created a home office setup that actually works for me and the hard lessons I learned along the way.
Chapter 1: The Mistake We All Make – Working from the Couch
Like many people new to remote work, I started working from my living room couch.
It felt casual. Cozy. Flexible.
But within a week?
- My back hurt.
- My focus disappeared.
- I felt tired all the time.
I realised comfort wasn’t the same as support. I needed to create a space that encouraged good habits, not bad posture. 🥲🥲
Chapter 2: The Remedy – Choosing the Right Space for Your Home Office Setup
This was harder than I thought.
I did not have a separate office room. I lived in a small apartment.
But I did have:
- A quiet corner near a window
- Decent natural light
- Enough space for a small desk
That’s where my real home office setup journey began.
I follow a simple rule. Even if it’s small, it deserves intention.
Chapter 3: The Essentials of My Home Office Setup
Here’s what I invested in slowly, over time. The awesome part is, it changed everything.
1. A Good Chair
Honestly? A Game Changer.
I got an ergonomic chair with lumbar support (not very expensive, just supportive).
Lesson learned: You sit for 8 hours a day, invest in your back.
2. A Desk That Fits My Life
Since space was limited, I got a standing desk converter that sits on a regular table.
This allowed me to:
- Alternate between sitting and standing
- Avoid feeling sluggish after lunch
- Customise my workspace
Even though this was a small change, it gave me a big energy boost.
3. External Monitor for Your Home Office Setup
Working on a tiny laptop screen all day was wrecking my neck and focus.
Adding a monitor helped me:
- Reduce eye strain
- Do multitasking easily
- Made me feel more “professional”
Plus, it made video calls feel way less awkward. 😄 😄
4. Thoughtful Lighting
Harsh overhead lights made me feel drained.
I added:
- A soft desk lamp
- Natural light during the day
- Warm lighting in the evening
You know, lighting affects mood more than we realise. Try it and you will see the difference!
5. Little Comfort Touches
I added small things that made me feel at home, but still in work mode:
- A plant
- My favourite mug
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- A cosy throw for cold days
It might sound small, but mentally it made the space mine.
Chapter 4: Overcoming Home Office Challenges
It was not all easy.
As time passed, there came some unexpected challenges. Here is what I faced and how I solved them.
Challenge 1: Noise
Solution:
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Soft background music
- Setting boundaries with family/housemates
Challenge 2: Distractions
Solution:
- Time blocking my tasks
- Keeping my phone in a different room
- Using a simple desk organiser to keep clutter away
Challenge 3: Feeling “Isolated”
Solution:
- Adding personal touches like photos
- Scheduling video coffee chats with remote coworkers
- Using natural light to stay connected with the outside world
These small steps helped me focus better, and I was able to have highly productive days! Day after day! 🫡🫡
Chapter 5: Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner
- Your environment shapes your habits.
- Invest slowly. Remember quality over quantity.
- Comfort is different from support.
- Declutter often. A clean physical space = a clean mental space.
- Treat your workspace like you respect your time.
Final Thoughts: Your Home Office Setup is Personal to You
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to creating the perfect home office setup.
It took me months of experimenting, tweaking and small upgrades to get to a place where I feel productive, comfortable and happy.
And honestly? It’s still evolving.
But here’s what I know for sure:
When you create a space that supports your body, focus and energy, you show up better not just for work, but for life.
Here’s to a healthy home office setup! Your personal space to unleash your imagination, where your amazing ideas take spectacular form!
