The information on or through this site is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on as a substitute for specific advice about laws, regulations, taxes, finances, immigration or travel. For specific advice, contact a licensed attorney, financial advisor or other professional. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on this site. We do not warrant the accuracy or usefulness of this information. This site may contain links to other sites and information provided by third parties for your convenience. We do not endorse nor make any guarantees with respect to these sites, their accessibility, the information they contain or the way they treat any information you provide to them.

How do international remittances, or cross-border money transfers, help promote financial inclusion? Improve your financial literacy by learning about budgeting and saving, personal finance.    

Learn how to send money using Ria Money Transfer, new services we offer, our omnichannel services, tips for sending money and the expansion of our network.    

Learn how international migration trends affect remittances and the impact remittances have on the individuals and communities around the world who receive them.     

Videos that feature Ria customers explaining in their own words how their experience of migration has impacted themselves, their families and their communities.     

Learn about different cultures around the world, how people celebrate, what it is like to live abroad and great travel destinations.     

What's new in cross-border payments, tech and finance? Learn about new payments methods like mobile wallets, the importance of the omnichannel experience and workplace trends.

What is Ria doing for the community? What does CSR, corporate social responsibility, mean? What's new in sponsorships at Ria?    

The Ria Blog

We use our own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and to show you advertising related to your preferences based on your browsing habits. Learn more by reading our 

We use first and third-party cookies to help us understand how you interact with the site by collecting and reporting information, such as the number of visitors or clicks. They do not allow us to collect your activity data beyond our site.

🍪 Cookies give you a personalized  experience

We use our own and third-party cookies to analyze our services and to show you advertising related to your preferences based on your browsing habits. Learn more by reading our

These cookies are essential to the basic functioning of our website. They turn on functions like page navigation, authentication, and access to secure areas.


<p>In the first half of the year, many of us scurried home and settled for makeshift home office setups. Back then, we thought our bedroom-desk-turned-office-space would be a temporary solution. Now, it’s clear that, even post-lockdown and <a href="https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en/blog/ria-covid-19-information-base">post-pandemic</a>, working from home has become commonplace. To help you navigate this new reality, we’ll be sharing some of the best home office ideas we’ve come across in these months of trial and error.</p>



<p>If you think about it, shifting to a work-from-home (WFH) scenario can be extremely beneficial, especially if you’re willing to work around your routines and habits. They key here is figuring out how to create a workspace from home and transitioning to a WFH scenario that works for you, your needs, and the changes 2020 has brought to our society.</p>



<p>Let’s get to it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Your home office setup checklist</h2>



<p>First things first. Let’s get you all stocked up. Working at an office is great when it comes to supplies. There’s usually someone, or even a team, in charge of keeping the supplies well stocked. At home, however, we tend to stick to basics. Anything that we don’t have at hand we end up forgetting to buy or pick up at the office. And while it’s not the end of the world, it could be getting in the way of your comfort and productivity levels.</p>



<p>Here’s a home office setup checklist to ensure you’ve got everything you need to stay motivated and on-task:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>A desk</li><li>A comfortable chair (you can add a pillow for back support)</li><li>Laptop or desktop computer and screens</li><li>Storage (drawers, crates, or trays)</li><li>Basic supplies: notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, post-its, a trusty highlighter</li><li>Personal organization: calendar, agenda, and/or to-do list</li><li>Lighting: lamps, ceiling lights, window access</li><li>Climate control: space heater, fan, blankets</li><li>Stress-relief: pictures, your favorite scented candle, a small plant</li></ul>



<p>Need this on the go? Your <a href="https://riablog.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Ria-Money-Transfers-Home-Office-Checklist.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">printable checklist</a> is ready for download.</p>



<p>As you can see, there are many things to consider when it comes to setting up your home office. Odds are you already have many of these items, but if you’re starting to feel the workday blues, try throwing in a few more from the list!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to create a workspace at home</h2>



<p>Now that we have our checklist, let’s talk logistics. If possible, find a space in the house that will be your designated workstation. There probably won’t be many options, but the important thing is to choose a space and commit to it.</p>



<p>Finding a space to work from home is crucial, but the real goal is to have our minds associate a single space with work. If not, we’ll be finding paperwork and pens all over the house, which will only contribute to work fatigue and even <a href="https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en/blog/how-to-stop-overworking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overworking</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">How to set up a home office in a small space</h3>



<p>Even if all we have is a desk in our rooms or a space in the living room, we can make it work. The trick to small spaces is maximizing surface room. That means treating every inch of your workspace as prime real estate. If your desk doesn’t have drawers, try to find a set that can fit under it. Use this storage space to put away anything you don’t use regularly. This way, it’ll be easier to keep your desk decluttered (which will make it feel more spacious).</p>



<p>At the end of the work day, try to put away your laptop or stack up your mouse, keyboard, and screen into a corner. The physical act of putting work away will send a strong signal to your brain that it’s time to unplug, and it’ll be a reminder any time you walk by your office space: work starts again tomorrow.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Best practices for back, neck, and eye health<br></h3>



<p>Let’s take a deep dive into <a href="https://www.ergonomics.com.au/what-is-ergonomics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ergonomics</a>. Does your neck or back hurt after a day of computer work? That’s probably because your computer screen isn’t at eye-level. According to the <a href="https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/components_monitors.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Occupational Safety and Health Administration</a> (OSHA), the top of your monitor should be at or right below eye-level. Therefore, the center of your screen should be at a 15 to 20-degree angle from your line of vision. When it comes to distance, OSHA recommends keeping the screen between 20 to 40 inches from your eye. If the monitor is small, increase the text size.</p>



<p>Now, when it comes to eye health, the secret lies in taking breaks. We recommend using your eyesight breaks as an opportunity to get your blood flowing as well. Take a walk around the house, take out the trash, put some bread on the toaster, or even take a few minutes to do some stretching. If you’re pressed for time but are feeling your eyes waning, Hartford HealthCare recommends the 20-20-20 rule- Every 20 minutes look at something that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This is something you can do even in the middle of a meeting.</p>



<p>Other suggestions include increasing font size instead of leaning in closer, reminding yourself to blink, sitting up straight, and ensuring that the light source is to your sides or behind you, not in front.</p>



<p>And there you have it. We hope that these home office ideas, which are pretty much what every home office needs, help you settle into a more pleasant workspace. <a href="https://www.riamoneytransfer.com/en/blog/reimagining-work-post-covid-19">Work-from-home</a> is here to stay, so let’s make ourselves comfortable!</p>



<p><strong>Ready to send money with Ria? <a href="https://riamoneytransfer.app.link/56bsEz5uWkb">Download our app for iOS or Android</a> today to get started!</strong></p>


woman on laptop from home office ria money transfer illustration

Best Home Office Ideas

About the author

Gabrielle van Welie

Related posts

What are currency exchange rates and how are they determined?

What is the role of a central bank and how does it affect you?

How to prepare for an online interview: best practices for success

Ace your job interview: 8 tips from our recruiters