For example, some people need the in-office interactions to thrive and are noticing an impact on their wellbeing while working for home. On the other hand, many individuals are thrilled to cut out their daily commute and make more use of their personal space and enjoy the comforts of remote work.
Whichever end of the spectrum you fall on, you have probably realized that working in your office provides you with all the tools and resources you need to do your job efficiently. However, you can bring some of that convenience into your home with a few additions to your home office.
Invest in these 10 things for your remote office and see how much better your work-from-home arrangement becomes.
Ergonomic Chair
If you spend long hours on your computer for work, you’re going to want to invest in an ergonomic chair. Not only will it make sitting for eight hours much more bearable (say goodbye to the constant shifting in your seat and aches and pains at night), it can help protect your body from the long-term damage of your desk job. Since ergonomic chairs are a bit higher-priced than the average desk chair you could pick up at an IKEA, you want to make sure you get it right.
When you’re shopping for an ergonomic chair, look for these features:
- Adjustable backrest
- Adjustable seat height
- Cushioned armrests
- Good lumbar support
- Easy swivel
- Breathable fabric
- Memory foam seat cushion
Printer That Works
If you typically do a lot of printing for your work—like creating pamphlets for clients, sending notices to customers, or training packets for meetings—you’ll want to invest in a good printer. If you have an outdated printer that gets jammed or simply doesn’t want to work half the time, now’s the time to upgrade. Otherwise, you might find yourself constantly having to run out to your local print shop before deadline.
If you’re looking for a high-quality printer that will provide professional-looking prints you can be proud to put your name on, don’t skimp on an old model. Instead, consider a laser printer. Laser printers provide fast, crystal-clear prints that will impress at any meeting.
Second Monitor
When you’re working remotely, proving your ability to do your job at the same, or even better level, is important—especially if you want it to be a permanent option. To help you work more efficiently, consider purchasing a second monitor. That way you can cut down on time toggling between different tabs and spend more time checking items off your to-do list. Plus, if your job is research- or reading-heavy, it will make it much easier to consume the information and work on the task at hand, rather than having to switch back and forth.
W-Fi Range Extender
Having a reliable internet connection is essential for remote work. If you live in a large household, or have other logistical issues with your internet, you probably experience interruptions in service, difficulty re-connecting, or just slower-than-desired connection speeds. This could lead to a less-efficient workflow, grainy Zoom calls, or having to rush off to the local coffee shop to catch a meeting.
If you can’t move your router into your home office to fix the issue, you can try purchasing a Wi-Fi range extender instead. These devices are specifically designed to help expand your coverage throughout your home to ensure that you have a fast, reliable connection when it matters.
Good Lighting
Lighting is an important part of your work environment. If your workspace at home is dark, or worse, equipped with fluorescent lighting, you’ll want to make this upgrade ASAP. The key to finding good lighting for your home office is mimicking natural light. By using a light that simulates the natural sunlight, you can enjoy the benefits of natural lighting, even if you cooped up inside your home all day. Daylight lamps are fairly easy to come by at all price points and styles.
5 Essentials for Working Remotely (Not from Your Home)
If your remote work is on-the-go, don’t forget these essentials:
- Electronics backpack (pack up all your gear and know it’s safe with one of these bags)
- Noise-cancelling headphones (these are a must-have for staying focused)
- Portable power bank (keep your devices charged, even when you can’t find an outlet)
- Wireless mouse (if the touchpad on your laptop can be glitchy and annoying)
- Wi-Fi hotspot (save your phone battery and get a hotspot for reliable internet)
With these 10 must-haves, you can say goodbye to the anxiety you’re feeling about remote work and take on your workload with confidence, whether you’re working from home or your local coffee shop.