13 Things You Should Buy For Your Home Office
A year later and many of us are still working from home, waiting for our stimulus checks, taking online classes, and applying for jobs that will help pay the rent. At least there’s comfort in knowing we are all in this together.Â
According to Upwork, “41.8% of the American workforce continues to work remotely. Although an estimated 26.7% will still be working from home through 2021, 36.2 million Americans (22% of the workforce) will be working remotely by 2025. This is a staggering 87% increase from the number of remote workers prior to the pandemic!”
Although some of us are now being asked to come back into the office, others have made working from home the new norm. For those that will continue to work from home, I’ve listed below some products that will hopefully improve your office space and motivate you to keep grinding. Â
Noise Canceling Headphones
If you don’t have these already, it’s time to pull the trigger. Noise-canceling headphones are the epitome of work from home essentials. These are especially great for those who work in loud environments, like to listen to music while they work, and continually take conference calls. Plus, with the Amazon Alexa feature, you can enjoy entertainment, get information, and manage your day by simply asking.
Optimal LightingÂ
Increase your mood, productivity, and comfort with good lighting. If you’re opting for natural light, make sure to have it facing in front of or next to your workspace to not have any direct sunlight or annoying glares on your screen.Â
Power Strips
Nothing is more annoying than having to scramble to find an outlet or, even worse, having bulky plugs, wires, and cables all over the place. Power strips remove all the fuss and make the office look and feel more productive.
StorageÂ
Keeping your workspace clean and organized with simple storage solutions will, in return, keep your productivity and focus sharp. However, if you allow for mess to invade your space, it will also invade your head and mess up your flow. Don’t let clutter ruin your work environment by easily adding in some storage products that are not only great for organizing but also stylish and nice to look at.Â
Multi-Purpose DeskÂ
This WFH desk is ergonomically designed to reduce strain and fatigue while assisting you in maintaining productivity. This desk allows you to sit or stand at your preferred working height. Set it up how you like to work! When you feel like a change, you can easily adjust your working position in a few minutes. It’s effortless to assemble and more than competent in its design.
A Cozy Chair
Everyone needs a chair to support their bodies well enough for a long day of sitting, stress, and focus. There are really cool new office chairs that seamlessly blend ergonomics and design for those who want to make their workspace match their homes. I’ve also written a post on the best office chairs, which I’ve attached here for your convenience.Â
Bluetooth SpeakerphoneÂ
Bluetooth speakerphones are personal, easy-to-use conference call devices with both – USB and Bluetooth connectivity for efficient and productive conference calls whenever and wherever. This is great for anyone who is frequently in and out of calls and or meetings.Â
A Clock
Don’t rely on your iPhone to tell you the time – that is an easy distraction waiting to happen! Be as professional as possible, even in your own home, for your best foot forward in work. All of these small things make a big difference, even if you don’t feel it immediately.Â
A Smart Mug
Designed for home or office, the Ember Mug allows you to set your precise drinking temperature for hot beverages, track caffeine consumption, save presets for your favorite drinks, customize the LED color, and more (via the app). Ember also maintains your chosen temperature for approximately 1.5 hours, so your hot beverage stays perfect from the first sip to the last drop.
Plants
Besides adding oxygen into the air, plants absorb dangerous toxins and provide a safer work and home environment. Plus, they are well-known mood boosters, and if you’re into Feng Shui like me, this plant is the move. According to the site, “The Money Tree gets its name because the Feng Shui practice believes it will bring positive energy and good luck to the owner. It has been said this plant reduces stress, anxiety and may also help lessen sleeping disorders.” Certain plants have certain powers! Make sure your plants fit your needs and are easy to take care of.Â
Water Carafe
Getting up and getting water from the kitchen frequently can be a huge distraction. A solution for this is a water carafe that holds more water and reduces the number of times you need to get up.Â
Essential Oil Diffuser
Essential oil diffusers are great mood enhancers and can help significantly improve our health. Read more about them and the many excellent options I’ve found here.Â
Aromatherapy
The great thing about working from home is all the fun you can have with adding your personality’s flavors. Adding candles and incense will make you feel warmer, cozier, and relaxed if that’s your thing. It’s always a good idea to bring in light and warmth to high-stress situations.