5 Home Office Essentials You Simply Can’t Afford To Skimp On
Working from home comes with its own unique set of challenges. There are countless distractions that you’ll need to overcome if you want to be efficient and productive through the workday. Regardless of what niche or industry you are working in, there are a few key essentials that every remote worker will need. This will ensure that they can thrive from their home office.
Before you go out and buy every last piece of home office equipment you can get your hands on, it’s important that you find the right space for your home office. Working from the kitchen table or from the couch may work for a few days. But, you’ll naturally need a more dedicated setup for work in the long term. If you have a spare room that you don’t use, you could convert this space into a home office. Alternatively, you can dedicate a section of another room to being your work area. Simply put up a freestanding screen around it for some privacy. Either way, a dedicated space is essential if you want to be able to work with minimal distractions when you’re working from home.
Let’s take a look at a few key things that every home office should be equipped with.
Comfortable Chair
If you’re going to be sitting at your desk for hours on end, you’ll need to ensure that you have a comfortable chair. There are many different types of chairs out there. From the humble office chair to ergonomically designed chairs like the modern gaming chair. Naturally, some chairs may be a better fit for you than they are for your home office space. Thus, it’s well worth taking some time to find a chair that fits both your needs as well as your limitations, be they physical or financial.
The Right Desk
Installing a desk that is big enough for you to work on and that is the right height for your new chair will be key to keeping you comfortable throughout the day. Many desks can be easily adjusted so that they are ergonomically fitted to your body shape and size. It’s important to consider the work that you do when you’re buying a desk. This way you can choose an option that is right for your needs. A journalist or writer will need a lot less space to work with than a photographer or an architect, for example.
Screen Setup
Virtually everyone who works from home is going to require a computer and monitor or other larger external display nowadays. Many professionals who work from home say that using a computer monitor in their home office spaces significantly boosts their productivity.
Whether you use a desktop computer or a laptop will come down to your personal preference. But, the size of the monitor that you’d like to fit on your desk will absolutely need to be a consideration. The key here is to ensure that you are at the right distance from the screen. This means that it does not hurt your eyes. You should also ensure that your screen is at the right height when you are seated. You shouldn’t strain your back, neck, or shoulders when working.
Adequate Storage
To work efficiently in your home office, you’ll need to be able to find what you need when you need it. This is precisely why every office needs to have enough storage. Remember, you want to keep all of your stationery, notes, files, and other general equipment well-organized.
There are countless different storage solutions that you can choose from depending on the space you have available. From hanging storage to desk drawers, free-standing filing cabinets, and installing shelves, there is no shortage as to how you can keep your office space neat and tidy. Be sure to shop around before making any big purchases. This ensures that you find the home office storage solution that’s best for your personal and professional needs.
Set Your Home Office Up For Success
Working from home can certainly have its ups and downs. Having a key management system in place for yourself can help. If not, it can feel difficult on the worst of days if you don’t have the right setup. To ensure that you have every chance of success when you are working from home, it’s crucial that you take the time to set your office up. Try to include everything you need to be productive in your role moving forward. Following the tips we’ve outlined above will absolutely help get your home office feeling just as focused and accommodating of a productive workday as your regular cubicle or in-house work environment.
