Maintaining productivity and motivation when working from home can be a challenge, especially without the usual bits and pieces you would use in the office. Recreating an office feeling in your home need not be complex or involve excessive expense, as long as you know where to invest your hard-earned funds. When in doubt, start with a few of these must-haves.
1. Under-Desk Elliptical
From a scientific standpoint, stimulation in the brain can be directly linked with physical movement, which explains the growing trend in office-friendly workout equipment. An under-desk elliptical makes exercise an option at any time of the day without getting in the way or forcing you to part with your computer screen. With a range of settings and resistance levels, these nifty devices can also deliver a serious workout, track caloric burn, and improve your posture in the process.
2. Uplift office desk
No matter where you are working from, an uplifting desk is a great idea. We all know that sitting for a long time can be bad for your back and your legs. An uplifting desk can be a good solution for this problem. It takes just a few seconds to go from sitting to standing and you can just continue to work. This will not just boost your productivity but also improve your mood and increase your energy. People who sit more than six hours per day show more signs of psychological distress than those who sit less. Since work can sometimes be stressful enough, this is definitely something to think about.
3. An Intelligent Printer
Despite the astronomical growth of digital devices, the paper is still a necessary medium of communication for many of us, making a printer a handy addition to any home office. A new printer may not sound like a particularly exciting find, but a quick catalogue search is enough to grasp the value of modern technological upgrades. According to Ink Station, switching to a duplex printer (a printer which prints on both sides of the page by default) is a great way to help preserve paper, which saves you money and time while also reducing your environmental impact.
4. The Perfect Chair
You might think of a chair amongst the most basic of office tools, and you would be right, but there’s nothing basic about the level of comfort and support to be found in this modern design. Anyone who has spent a working day in an uncomfortable chair knows the value of the right fit, and the Kinn Chair promises just that. The design of the chair takes inspiration from the natural shape of the human spine, and its frameless construction allows it to offer complete support throughout your working day. With an addition like this, you can look forward to days of endless comfort in your home office – just don’t fall asleep.
5. WiFi Connectivity
WiFi is absolutely essential for most office workers, and it can be painful adapting to a sub-par internet situation in your home. Avoiding the struggle of navigating black spots and dropouts starts with an investment in the right type of WiFi router. One size does not fit all, and if you live in a space which is larger than a studio or one-bedroom apartment, consider swapping the single router for a wireless mesh system that guarantees more effective coverage of your space. Otherwise, if you’re confident that there’s nothing wrong with your WiFi router, make sure to position your computer close to the device for the best possible connectivity.
6. Mood-Boosting Speakers
What could be more inviting than a room full of your favourite tunes? Music is a great motivator and productivity booster, and one of the benefits of being at home is that you have the chance to swap your headphones for nifty wireless audio equipment. Of course, there is a huge range of different price points for quality speakers, and you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for an immersive audio experience, but these devices are also becoming more affordable and mainstream all the time. Before you make an investment, It would be wise to take your living situation into account, particularly if you’re living in close quarters with other newly-homebound workers, in which case you should probably steer clear of that fancy new model with the extra bass.
7. A Patient Coffee Mug
For many of us, that first, morning coffee is much more than just a habit; it’s an enjoyable way to start the day on the right foot, and that doesn’t have to change now that you’re working from home. Sure, you might be missing that fancy office coffee machine, but a new gadget like a self-heating coffee mug is a great way to treat yourself and bring your daily caffeine fix into the 21st century. With the ability to keep your coffee at your specified temperature until you’re ready to enjoy it, this mug is ideal for working parents, as well as anyone whose morning coffee is often waylaid by meetings and phone calls.
8. “Play Time”
You might think that this is not very important since we are talking about the home office. You are wrong. No matter where your office is, you still need to have a space to relax. When it comes to home offices, going out can distract you and it can take a long time to go back to work. For this reason, you should make a small space in your office where you can rest for a little while. That corner should have everything you need and like to do in your free time. Lazy boy, a good book or a video game or a good cup of coffee, it’s your choice.
Working from home can be a pleasure or a pain, and the difference likely lies in how well you equip your space. We all need a comfortable work environment to thrive and maximise our productivity, and a few extra creature comforts in the mix can’t hurt. Stay focussed on delivering the best work you can and before you know it you will have acclimatised to your new office.
