Home Office Essentials

Adjustable Work Desk

Known as height-adjustable desks, or sit-stand desks, an adjustable work desk is ideal for those who are concerned about spending too much time sitting down during the workday. According to Healthline, there are many health-related benefits of using a standing desk. For one, you have a lower risk of gaining weight and becoming obese. Back pain is also reduced, and feelings of stress and fatigue are lowered when you choose to stand and work rather than sit. Productivity levels are even higher in comparison.

With that being said, you may not feel like spending the entire day standing up which is completely understandable. That's why an adjustable desk makes so much sense. You can choose to stand when you wish, and sit down when you get tired. 

Ergonomically-Comfortable Chair

Having the right desk chair to support you all day is almost as important as having high-speed Internet in your home office. Your chair is a critical component to your comfort and productivity. Many people look at a chair and if it appears comfortable and matches nicely, they assume it will be a good fit for their workspace.

However, there are some factors that must be considered. Your chair should have an adjustable height and tilt control, for instance. Buying one with optional lumbar support will help you stay more comfortable throughout the day.

Dual Monitors

One cannot underestimate how efficient it is to have two monitors when working from home. The applications for them are endless. You can have a spreadsheet open on one screen, and an MS Word document open on the other screen, for example. Or, dedicate one screen to email communication and the other to your ongoing tasks. With two monitors at the ready, you are much less likely to overlook something important.

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Keep your desktop neat and clutter-free by opting out of having cords running across the surface. Purchasing a wireless keyboard and mouse will allow you to move either one around freely without having to worry about getting tangled or hung up.

Cellphone Stand

Having a compact cellphone stand on your desk always gives you easy access to your phone. Glance over and look at the time and see your messages or calls without having to stop what you're doing.

Coffee Maker

What would a home office be without a trusty coffee maker? Particularly for those early morning hours, or for the times when you decide to burn the midnight oil, a coffee maker becomes an absolute necessity. So the question becomes, what is the right coffee maker? There are as many opinions on this subject as the day is long.

Remember the days before everyone insisted that they had to brew by the cup? You can always buy an expensive coffeemaker with all of the fixings, but sometimes simple is best. There is also a lot to be said about a basic, 8-Cup Mr. Coffee Brewer. Buy what you love, and stick to it!

Padded Laptop Tray

Do you enjoy taking your laptop and moving it away from your desk for a bit? When you do, it might not always be convenient, as there isn't a surface to place it on. For times like these, use a padded laptop tray. Recommended by NYMag.com, a padded laptop tray is perfect when you want to sit on the couch and type, or go out on the porch and get some fresh air while you work.

Adjustable Task Lamp

Having proper lighting at your desk is very important so you don’t have to worry about eye strain. An adjustable task lamp sitting on or near your desk will ensure that you have enough light to prevent headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. Even if you are lucky enough to have natural light near your workspace, having a task light will still be a great help.

Power Strip Tower

When you have a home office, you are constantly needing outlets to plug things into. You can always get a simple power strip, but there are better options out there. For example, Men's Health recommends a power strip tower that features eight different outlets to plug in your items as well as four USB ports to keep all of your chargeable gear up and running.

Noise Canceling Headphones

One of the few drawbacks of working from home is that the environment around your workspace isn’t always as quiet as you might like it to be. Your kids may start playing loud games or maybe the neighbors are having some landscaping done. Either way, having a set of noise-canceling headphones is perfect for those situations.

Purple Simply Seat Cushion

You likely heard the buzz surrounding Purple brand mattresses and pillows. Well, guess what? They also make a seat cushion that you can place upon your office chair to keep your tush extra comfortable all day long!

Cozy Touches

Since you're working from home, there's nothing wrong with wanting your space to be an extension of the rest of your home. For example, make your home office feel extra cozy with decor pieces such as a plush blanket thrown over a chair or a soft rug beneath your feet.

If you like, hang family pictures around your desk that make you smile, or inspiring artwork. Don’t forget to add a few plants around your space to give your home office a breath of fresh air and a small taste of the outdoors. Having an aromatherapy candle burning or a diffuser nearby will help create a peaceful atmosphere in your home office as well.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to planning the perfect home office setup, keep in mind that less is more. Yes, you can have gadgets and all the latest technology, but if you have too much "stuff" covering your desktop, your workstation will become crowded and inefficient. Select only the most critical home office essentials to help boost your productivity level.

Sources

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-a-standing-desk#TOC_TITLE_HDR_6
• https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g31851441/home-office-essentials/