How I created my dream work-from-home office on a budget

Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what I love most about working from home – everything from how I always produce the desk and chair I use.

I’ve been working from home as a full-time freelancer for several years now, and over time, I’ve figured out what works for me and what doesn’t.

I created my dream office for less than $800, including everything I needed to work from home and added comforts like a legged stool and a foldable computer screen.

In today’s post, I will share:

• Things I use and recommend are a cozy workspace
• My daily routine is working from home
• Your Tools Tools and Software
• Links to specific items I purchased to create my cool work space
• And more!

I decided to write this article today about how I created my dream work-from-home office on a budget because I know that many people work remotely for the first time or dream of setting up their home office.

Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or just looking to make your work day a little more comfortable, I hope that sharing my setup gives you ideas and inspiration to create a space that truly works for you.

Recommended reading: 14 Free work from home tutorials and tools to make $1,000+

My work is from home space

I have worked from home for over ten years now and recently decided to create a cozy workspace.

For years, I worked in my bed on my laptop (which I still do occasionally). When I got a full-time job working for someone else, I decided it was time to create a workplace where I closed the door and broke the meetings.

Really, I wanted to look and feel more professional. It makes work more enjoyable when I work in a positive and pleasant environment.

My desktop setup +

One of the first things I did when setting up my desk was looking for a complete desk and chair. I knew I wanted my office space to be light, bright, and have fun colors sprinkled throughout.

That’s why I went with a white standing glass desk that I 100% recommend. It has a charging cable and allows me to save standing / sitting settings, so I don’t have to spend time pressing buttons up and down to find the right position. Even if you don’t think that you will use a standing desk, because you may find that sitting too much for a long time does not feel good, and it is good to have the option to stand while you work.

I also found reclining chairs during my research, which was a great success because I always sit on stools in the office and find that there is enough room to do so. This is a worn chair I bought in green.

Comfort and posture are great when working full time from home, so it’s something I actively work on using my standing desk and going to Amazon Target.

Tech I use every day

Once I had a desk and chair to work, I moved on to getting a great monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other gadgets that I want and need. I’ve heard good things about curved screens and how much better they can be for your eyes, so I went with the Samsung curved screen (I bought the refurbished version and saved a little money). I also got it in white to add some contrast to my cozy dining room.

I also bought 2 monitors for my samsung screen and mac laptop, so both screens are at eye level, and I’m not sitting on either screen. For fun, I bought a light keyboard and mouse because I like the colors. I also bought an ergonomic rest (I can’t find the exact set I bought, but I personally think this set is better).

After working at my desk for a while, I realized that I wanted some simple things like cable organizers and cable managers to keep my cables organized.

Your Tools Tools and Software

I work from home as a project manager and I have a list of tools that I use every day and recommend. Even if you are not a project manager, these tools can really help you while working from home.

For project management, I recommend click, trello, and vision.

For communication, I recommend Gmail, slack, zoom, and Google Meet.

For accounting and finance, I use PayPal and QuickBooks.

I recommend playing around with different tools and testing things without free trials. There are a ton of online tools for freelancers and people working from home.

Marketing materials that make a big difference

This is where you can make your space unique and truly yours. For my work from home, I added my favorite candles, plants, a throw blanket, crystals, and favorite craft pieces to the walls.

My daily routine at home

I start my work day at 6 am sharp and usually end my work day around 1-2 pm

I take my dogs for a walk at 9 am for 30 minutes and use this time to get some fresh air. I take a short lunch break because it means I will be off work for the day earlier. I do my work tasks in order of priority in order of priority.

To stay productive, I minimize distractions by silencing my phone during the workday, keeping my desk clutter-free and organized, and playing background music without songs.

Lessons I learned from working at home

If I could start all over and do things differently at home, I would:

• Use a standing desk from the start.
• Focus on good posture.
• Never work in bed.

Most of all, I have learned that working in my office helps to create the beauty of the workplace and leaves the whole house of fun times.

This is something I really struggled with for years, as I used to work on my laptop all over the house – including the bedroom, bathroom, desk, bed and kitchen table.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are frequently asked questions about setting up your own home office.

Do I need a fancy setup to work from home?

Nope! Like I said before, my entire setup cost less than $800, and I could have ended up checking the local thrift stores first. I also confirmed the purchase that I can refurbish. Amazon and Best Buy have a ton of great options for refurbished electronics, and they always do as well as new.

What is the most important thing to invest in first?

Your desk, chair, and screen are the most important parts of a desk setup. I can invest a lot in my desk from the foundation of everything else. Desks are really inexpensive these days, even electronic standing desks. Mine costs less than $200. Amazon and Wayfair have many desk options, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something that fits your style.

What if I don’t have a separate room for my home office?

If you don’t have a separate room for a home office, you can get creative by finding small corners of your home that can fit a desk. You can also check out murphy beds / desks that go with the desk and bed. There are even wall desks that fold in and out when you need them, saving more room. If you don’t have a separate room for a home office, it’s important to use your space in the most efficient way, which is why I really like wall desks.

Do you wear or stay in pajamas while working?

I think getting out of my pajamas while working from home helps me get into a more professional state of mind. However, my normal everyday outfit is something I try to enjoy as much as possible while working from home.

How do you stay focused while working from home?

To stay focused while working from home, I recommend:

• Putting your phone down during work hours
• Setting clear work hours if you are a freelancer leader
• Using blocks of time or the pomodoro method to plan your day in focused sessions
• Taking movement breaks so you’re not just staring at a desk all day – this is really empowering for me

Inside my work from home setup (which I use every day) – Summary

I hope I’ve helped you find ways to build your own set up from home.

If you want a quick list, here is what I have in the home office:

Making your home office space truly the fun part can help increase productivity and make it fun to go to work. I love that I spent money on this, and as you can see – it can be done inexpensively!

What is your favorite thing about your home setup?

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