Work from home can be a blessing and a curse. It’s great to have the freedom and flexibility, but it also means that colleagues and office distractions do not surround you. As a result, you’ll need to make sure that your home office is set up in such a way as to promote productivity, comfort, and efficiency. Below are some tips on how you can do just that!
Top Work From Home Essentials
1. A decluttered space
Everyone knows that an uncluttered and clean workspace is more conducive to productivity. However, it can be challenging to work from home because your office doubles as a spare bedroom or storage room. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure that the space you’re working in is spacious and has adequate lighting (ideally natural light).
Make use of smaller tables for those little odds and ends like your computer charger or pens rather than having everything on one large desk. Also, keep things organized, so there are no distractions when looking for something specific.
2. Stationary supplies and storage
You’ll need to make sure that you have all the necessary stationery supplies for your work. This includes things like paper, pens, pencils, highlighters, paperclips, and staplers. It’s also important to keep these items out of sight, so they don’t become a distraction when working on other tasks at hand.
Try using smaller containers or boxes to store them rather than big storage bags because it will free up space too! You can even use clear acrylic organizers if you want an easy way to see what is where without having everything in plain view. Don’t forget about computer essentials either, such as charging cables and laptop stand/cooler pads. Have problems with glare? Investing in-glare glasses might be an option.
3. The right temperature
One of the biggest distractions when you work from home is if you get too hot or too cold. It can be challenging to keep a comfortable temperature because your house will always fluctuate by either heating up during summer and wintertime or cooling down throughout the spring and autumn seasons.
You should invest in a good air conditioner that has an adjustable thermostat, so you’re able to maintain a consistent level of comfort while trying not to strain yourself on bills. If AC isn’t an option, try opening windows for some fresh oxygen or turning off any heaters/radiators – remember to dress appropriately!
4. High-speed internet connection
You must have a high-speed internet connection because some tasks might require the use of specific programs or applications. There are also times when your work will involve sending emails, which is why it’s essential to have reliable Wi-Fi, so you’re not left waiting around for downloads and uploads. Most homes nowadays already come with broadband connections installed, but this isn’t always the case. You can still make do without one by getting an ethernet cable (make sure it has enough length) if your home doesn’t already have one setup instead.
5. A Telephone and/or VoIP
With all of the VoIP technology, internet-based phone services, and mobile phones available, you may not need a traditional landline telephone, but phone service is usually required when working from home. If nothing else, you should have it on hand as a backup.
6. A Printer or Multipurpose Machine
You may be able to do without a printer depending on the nature of your business and even if you have a paperless office. However, there will almost certainly be times when you wish you had one to scan, fax, or make copies. Consider multipurpose machines that can handle all of these tasks.
Read also: Ways To Make Your WFH Experience So Much More Comfy
7. Backup Drive or Personal Server
Once your home office is up and running, you’ll need a plan for backing up and protecting your data. You can use cloud-based backup services to automatically copy your files, but it’s also a good idea to have an in-house backup in place. External drives and personal servers are relatively inexpensive and can save your company in the event of a computer failure.
Having a home office is beneficial, but you’ll need to make sure that it’s set up in such a way as to promote productivity, comfort, and efficiency.
8. Surge Power Strip with USB
You’d be surprised at how quickly your work from home setup can expand. You’ll continue to add new tools as you get more comfortable and tinker with the layout. Naturally, many of those technological tools will require power from somewhere.
Power strips are an essential component of any work from home office. Make sure it has surge protection for added peace of mind. When you have multiple devices plugged in, this will help keep power at a safe level.
Worrying about multiple devices running out of power will be a thing of the past with a power strip that includes both a socket and a USB port.
The power strip can be attached to walls, baseboards, or furniture. This allows you to keep it out of your way while still allowing it to do its job.
9. External monitor
It’s not a secret that many people have innumerable tabs and windows open simultaneously. On top of that, they switch between multiple programs. You must have done the same at one point or daily at work. Running numerous programs and switching between several tabs can be a pain if you have a small screen. A solution to this would be to add an external monitor. This can be expensive, but you can save on cost if you get a refurbished LCD computer monitor instead. Do not let the word “refurbished” trip you off. It may sound like it will not last long, but refurbished items can be of high quality and give you a high return on your investment.
Read also: Future Trends of Remote Work Jobs
