Home Office Essentials
- By Aaron Sapirman
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- 16 Feb, 2022
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After two years of working remotely, millions of people are remaining in their home office
instead of returning to a physical office. You need more than just a computer to build a productive workspace, but other essentials as well.
What are the home office essentials that you shouldn't go without? An ergonomic chair, standing desk, fire-safe box, and a whole host of other items will help you create the most efficient home office on the block!
With that in mind, explore the top home office essentials (aside from a computer) for 2022 and beyond.
Ergonomic Chair
Before you explore a desk or even pinpoint a room in your home for an office, you need to invest in an ergonomic chair. The majority of chairs found in office buildings across the country do not provide the proper support for the body to comfortably sit for hours on end.
An ergonomic chair helps to provide support for areas of the body that often experience pain and weakness when in the seated position. When you are ready to add an ergonomic chair to your home office, be sure to look for the following:
- Adjustable armrests
- Adjustable height features
- The chair offers lumbar support
- The chair has a swivel base
- The chair can roll on wheels
Stand-Up Adjustable Desk
Just as important as an ergonomic chair, you must absolutely have a stand-up adjustable desk in your home office. Why? The benefits of standing far outweigh sitting idle for too long. According to Healthline, you receive the following benefits when standing:
- Lower levels of blood sugar
- Lowers your risk of gaining weight
- Lowers the risk of developing back pain
- Lowers the likelihood of suffering from heart disease
Even though it's beneficial to stand as much as possible throughout the day, you should not simply standstill. Move around often and take at least two breaks. You should also switch your working positions between sitting and standing to relieve stress from certain areas of your body.
Noise Canceling Headphones
Working from home can be much more challenging than going to an office, especially if you have children and pets. That’s why you should consider purchasing a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Not only will they help you focus on your tasks, but also cut out the background noise when attending virtual meetings.
Paper Shredder
If you don’t already have a paper shredder at home, now is the best time to purchase one, especially if you deal with a lot of confidential or sensitive information. Before shredding important documents, it might not be a bad idea to use white-out on the sensitive information to take an extra step in securing that information.
Fire-Safe Box
Even if you don’t work from home, a fire-safe box is a smart idea to protect your most valuable documents and possessions. Many people keep important documents (birth certificates, Social Security cards, etc.) in safe deposit boxes at a local bank. However, you can keep these documents in your home office if you have a fire-safe box. Most fire-safe boxes also protect the contents from water damage.
Printer/Scanner
Even though many companies have gone completely paperless, you might still need to print a document and endorse it on occasion. Some companies do not accept digitally signed documents despite their popularity, which is where a printer/scanner device will be helpful. You don’t have to break the bank for one of these devices and they are small enough that they won’t take up too much space in your home office.
A Dedicated Monitor
It can be a strain on your eyes to stare at a small laptop screen for eight to 10 hours per day. If you had a dedicated monitor at your physical office, why can’t you have one in your home office? The monitor should be a little bit larger than the screen of your laptop, providing you with ample space for the work you need to perform. It should also be able to connect to your laptop so you can have a side-by-side view (dual screen).
Modem, Router, and WiFi Extenders
Working from home 40-plus hours per week means that the WiFi in your home will face a lot of strain,
especially if your spouse is also working from home
or your children are still learning remotely. That’s why it's imperative to upgrade your modem, router, and add WiFi extenders. It’s a common problem for WiFi signals to struggle to reach certain areas of homes, like the basement or the second floor. A strategically placed WiFi extender can make all the difference in connectivity and speed.
Ergonomic Computer Stand
Since you're already considering buying an ergonomic chair and a standing desk, make sure to add an ergonomic computer stand to your shopping list. An ergonomic computer stand can be raised with your laptop. You can bring it up to your level when standing for periods while working.
Mouse Pads
Aside from a mouse pad for your mouse, you should also buy mouse pads to protect your wrists. They're typically made of soft, odorless material. Place the pads at the end of the desk, up against the keyboard of your laptop so your wrists are properly supported. Keep in mind that pads won’t prevent you from developing wrist issues like carpal tunnel syndrome, but they will add comfort.
Filing Cabinets
Even if your employer is paperless, you might still prefer to print out documents. If this is the case, you will need to purchase a filing cabinet for your home office. One of the best options is a two-drawer cabinet. Try to find one that matches the color scheme of your desk and other furniture so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Fragrance Diffuser
Every home office should smell welcoming. A fragrance diffuser of your favorite scent can help you remain calm while working. If you’d prefer a scented candle, add one or two of them to your workspace, but remember to blow out the flames before leaving the room each time. For this reason alone, a fragrance diffuser is the best option for adding a soothing scent to your home office.
Décor
Decorate your home office how you see fit. If you're a sports fan, hang sports memorabilia or pictures of you and your kids from the last game you attended. If you love movies, hang your favorite movie posters. Making your office as comfortable as possible goes a long way towards reducing stress while working. Want to go for a more professional look? Take it one step further and add artwork, photographs, and plants.
Wireless Phone Charging Station
Purchase a wireless charging station for your home office if your phone has this capability. Being able to grab your phone quickly off the charging dock without worrying about cords makes it easier to answer the phone or run outside with the dog.
Conclusion
Remote workers have reported higher levels of burnout compared to working in a physical office building, according to
MDLinx. If you add one or more of the above essentials to your home office, you'll likely experience reduced stress and less burnout while working remotely.
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