Last Updated on August 28, 2024
The global shift to remote work has redefined how we approach our professional lives. In 2022, working from home is no longer just a trend; it’s a new normal. As more people embrace this flexible work style, creating a productive and comfortable workspace at home is more important than ever. Here is a list of 19 Work from Home Essentials to help you be more productive. Whether you’re a seasoned remote worker or new to the home office setup, having the right tools and environment can make all the difference. This guide will explore the essential items to help you thrive while working from home.
- Recommended Gift Guides
- Ergonomic Office Furniture: The Foundation of Comfort
- Tech Essentials: Tools for Efficient Remote Work
- Productivity Tools: Maximizing Efficiency
- Comfort and Well-being: Creating a Healthy Work Environment
- Health and Fitness: Staying Active While Working from Home
- Mental Well-being: Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
- FAQs about work-from-home essentials
Recommended Gift Guides
Ergonomic Office Furniture: The Foundation of Comfort
Ergonomic Chairs
An ergonomic chair is one of the most critical home office investments. Unlike regular chairs, ergonomic designs provide better support for your back, neck, and shoulders, reducing the risk of developing musculoskeletal problems. Look for chairs with adjustable height, lumbar support, and armrests to ensure you can sit comfortably for extended periods. I recommend the Herman Miller Aeron Chair, known for its top-tier ergonomic design, adjustable lumbar support, and breathable material. This chair is highly rated for long hours of use and is a favorite among remote workers.
Herman Miller Aeron Executive Office Chair
Standing Desks
Standing desks have gained popularity for their ability to reduce the health risks associated with prolonged sitting. A sit-stand desk allows you to alternate between sitting and standing, promoting better posture and reducing the strain on your lower back. If a full-standing desk isn’t within your budget, consider a standing desk converter that can be placed on top of your existing desk. Check out the FEZIBO Electric Standing Desk. It is a popular choice with smooth height adjustment, memory presets, and a sturdy design, making it ideal for those who want to alternate between sitting and standing.
FEZIBO Electric Standing Desk
Desk Accessories for Organization
Keeping your workspace tidy is crucial for maintaining focus. Invest in desk organizers, cable management solutions, and document holders to keep your area clutter-free. An organized desk looks professional and helps you stay on top of your tasks without the distraction of a messy environment. Here is the SimpleHouseware Mesh Desk Organizer: It helps keep your workspace tidy with compartments for documents, pens, and other essentials.
Simple Houseware Mesh Desk Organizer
Tech Essentials: Tools for Efficient Remote Work
Reliable Internet Connection
A fast and stable internet connection is the backbone of remote work. Ensure you have a high-speed plan to handle video calls, file uploads, and streaming without lag. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak, consider upgrading your router or using a Wi-Fi extender to eliminate dead zones in your home. Check out the NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router: A top-rated router with fast and reliable internet speeds, perfect for handling remote work demands.
NETGEAR Nighthawk Smart Wi-Fi Router
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Working from home often involves distractions, such as noisy neighbors, household members, or outside traffic. Noise-canceling headphones can help you block out these distractions and focus on your work. Look for models that offer comfort for long hours of use and excellent sound quality for listening to music and attending virtual meetings. I recommend the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones. These headphones are a top choice for remote workers due to their excellent sound quality, comfort, and noise-canceling capabilities.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Webcam and Microphone
Clear communication is vital when working remotely; a good webcam and microphone can significantly improve virtual meetings. While most laptops have built-in webcams and microphones, investing in higher-quality external devices can enhance video and audio clarity, making you look and sound more professional during calls. See the Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam: A popular webcam that offers clear video quality and is highly rated for virtual meetings.
Logitech C920S HD Pro Webcam
Backup Power Solutions
Power outages can disrupt your work and lead to missed deadlines. A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) can provide backup power for your computer, modem, and other essential devices during short outages, giving you time to save your work and shut down properly. Portable power banks can also keep your devices charged during prolonged power interruptions. For this, I recommend the APC UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector. It provides backup power and surge protection for computers and other devices, ensuring that work isn’t lost during power outages.
APC UPS Battery Backup & Surge Protector
Productivity Tools: Maximizing Efficiency
Task Management Software
Staying organized and on top of your tasks is crucial for remote work success. Task management tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com help you keep track of your projects, deadlines, and to-do lists. These platforms offer features like task assignments, progress tracking, and integrations with other apps, ensuring that nothing falls through the cracks. While software like Trello, Asana, and Monday.com are more services than products, you can recommend related books or courses that teach practical tasks and time management skills.
Time Management Apps
Time management can be challenging when working from home, where the boundaries between work and personal life can blur. Apps like Toggl, RescueTime, or Focus@Will can help you monitor your work hours, track productivity, and manage your time more effectively. These tools provide insights into how you spend your day, helping you make adjustments to maximize productivity. Pomodoro Timer by TickTime: A physical timer that enables you to manage your time using the Pomodoro technique, a popular method for staying productive during work hours.
Pomodoro Timer by TickTime
Collaboration Tools
Effective collaboration with your team is essential, even when you’re miles apart. Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom facilitate real-time communication, file sharing, and virtual meetings. These tools allow you to stay connected with your colleagues, share ideas, and work together seamlessly, regardless of physical distance. I recommend accessories like the Jabra Speak 710 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for Softphone and Mobile Phone, which is perfect for team meetings and makes communication more evident during conference calls.
Jabra Speak 710 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Security is a primary concern when working remotely, especially when handling sensitive company data. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection, protecting your data from potential threats. It’s a must-have tool for ensuring your online activities remain secure, mainly when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Comfort and Well-being: Creating a Healthy Work Environment
Proper Lighting
Good lighting is essential for reducing eye strain and maintaining focus. Natural light is ideal, so set up your workspace near a window. If that’s impossible, invest in a desk lamp with adjustable brightness and color temperature. Warm light can create a cozy atmosphere, while cool light is better for tasks that require concentration. I love the Micomlan LED Desk Lamp with Clamp. It is a highly-rated desk lamp with adjustable brightness and color temperature, perfect for reducing eye strain.
Micomlan Led Desk Lamp with Clamp
Indoor Plants
Adding a touch of nature to your home office can boost your mood and productivity. Indoor plants like succulents, snakes, or peace lilies are low-maintenance and can help purify the air. The presence of greenery has been shown to reduce stress and create a more pleasant working environment. Costa Farms Succulents Collection: A selection of easy-to-care-for succulents that can enhance your workspace with a touch of nature.
Costa Farms Succulents Collection
Temperature Control
Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your workspace is crucial for staying focused. If your home tends to be too hot or cold, consider using a space heater or a fan to regulate the temperature. A comfortable environment allows you to concentrate better and stay productive throughout the day. See the Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan: This top-rated fan circulates air efficiently, helping maintain a comfortable temperature in your workspace.
Vornado 660 Large Whole Room Air Circulator Fan
Personalized Décor
Personalizing your workspace with inspiring items can enhance your motivation and creativity. Whether it’s artwork, family photos, or motivational quotes, surrounding yourself with things that make you happy can create a more enjoyable work environment. Just be sure to keep decorations minimal to avoid clutter. See the Umbra Trigg Desktop Planter Vase & Geometric Container: A stylish way to add small plants or decorative items to your workspace.
Umbra Trigg Desktop Planter Vase & Geometric Container
Health and Fitness: Staying Active While Working from Home
Ergonomic Accessories
To enhance your comfort, consider ergonomic accessories like keyboard and mouse pads with wrist support, monitor stands to keep your screen at eye level, and footrests to improve circulation. These small additions can significantly impact your posture and prevent strain during long work sessions. We recommend the 3M Gel Wrist Rest for Keyboards: It helps reduce wrist strain during typing.
3M Gel Wrist Rest for Keyboards
Stretching and Exercise Equipment
Incorporating movement into your daily routine is essential when working from home. Simple tools like resistance bands, dumbbells, or a yoga mat can help you stay active during breaks. Regular stretching and exercise improve your physical health and boost your mental well-being, reducing stress and increasing focus. Check out TRX All-in-One Suspension Training, a versatile workout tool perfect for quick exercise sessions between work.
TRX All-in-One Suspension Training
Hydration and Nutrition
Staying hydrated and eating well are crucial for maintaining energy levels throughout the day. Keep a water bottle on your desk as a reminder to drink regularly. Also, plan healthy snacks and meals to avoid the temptation of unhealthy options. Proper nutrition supports concentration and productivity, helping you perform at your best. Find the Hydro Flask Water Bottle: This highly-rated water bottle helps keep you hydrated throughout the day.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Mental Well-being: Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Mindfulness Practices
Remote work can blur the lines between professional and personal life, making it challenging to switch off. Mindfulness practices like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or short walks can help you manage stress and stay focused. These practices promote mental clarity and relaxation, enabling you to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Try Headspace Meditation App Subscription: You can encourage the Headspace app as an affiliate or recommend meditation guides like “The Headspace Guide to Meditation and Mindfulness” by Andy Puddicombe.
Breaks and Downtime
Taking regular breaks is essential for preventing burnout. Schedule short breaks throughout your day to rest and recharge. Use this time to step away from your screen, stretch, or engage in a quick physical activity. Downtime is crucial for maintaining long-term productivity and ensuring you don’t feel overwhelmed by your workload. See the Fidget Cube: A small tool to help relieve stress and keep your mind focused during breaks.
Setting Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is critical to maintaining well-being and remaining productive. Set specific work hours and stick to them, creating a routine that allows you to “clock out” at the end of the day. Communicate these boundaries with family members or housemates to minimize interruptions and ensure a focused work environment. We recommend TimeFlip2 Interactive Time Tracker: A smart time-tracking device that helps you manage work-life balance by visualizing how you spend your time.
FAQs about work-from-home essentials
What are the most critical work-from-home essentials
Fundamental essentials include ergonomic furniture, reliable tech tools like a strong internet connection and noise-canceling headphones, productivity software, and items that promote comfort and well-being, such as proper lighting and indoor plants.
How can I create an ergonomic home office?
Invest in an ergonomic chair and standing desk, use monitor stands to keep screens at eye level, and incorporate accessories like wrist supports and footrests to improve posture and reduce strain.
What tech tools are essential for remote work?
A reliable internet connection, noise-canceling headphones, a high-quality webcam and microphone, task management software, and a VPN are all critical tools for practical remote work. These are great recommendations to keep you productive.
How can I stay productive while working from home?
Use task management and time tracking apps to maintain focus and productivity, create a comfortable and organized workspace, take regular breaks, and set clear boundaries between work and personal life.
Why is lighting necessary in a home office?
Good lighting reduces eye strain, improves focus, and keeps you productive. Natural light is ideal, but adjustable desk lamps with the correct brightness and color temperature can enhance your workspace.
How can I maintain a healthy work-life balance while working from home?
Practice mindfulness, schedule regular breaks, set precise work hours, and engage in activities that help you unwind and relax after the workday.
Finally
Finding the right balance between comfort, productivity, and well-being is critical to creating an effective work-from-home setup. Investing in essential tools and fostering a healthy work environment can enhance your remote work experience and maintain high performance levels. Whether you’re working from home permanently or on a hybrid schedule, these essentials will help you navigate the challenges of remote work and make the most of this flexible arrangement. These essentials are guaranteed to keep you productive while working from home.