With the coronavirus pandemic forcing millions of Americans to transition to remote work, many find they don’t have an adequate home office setup that allows them to be productive and efficient. Whether you’re now a remote worker or a freelancer working from home, it’s important to have the right gear to ensure you can get your job done. Whether you’re turning a corner of your living room into a workspace or have a separate room that can be dedicated as an office, take a look at our list of the top seven best gear for working from home.
1. Adjustable Desk
As they say, sitting is the new smoking. To ensure you’re keeping your body in good health, it’s important to get up and move once in a while. Investing in an adjustable desk or a sit-stand converter is a great way to get you up out of your chair while still being able to work behind your computer. Studies have also found that working while standing boosts productivity, making this essential gear a win-win!
2. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
From your computer to your dual monitors and phone charger to your digital clock, your home office can quickly turn into a maze of cords and wires. When possible, try and find wireless options to prevent all of your cords from getting tangled. To reduce clutter and keep your workspace clean and tidy, invest in a wireless mouse and keyboard. This way, you can keep your desk clear of clutter and prevent yourself from tripping on cords and bringing everything down with you.
3. Blue Light Glasses
Staring at a computer all day can do some serious damage to your eyes. The blue light emitted from computer screens can lead to dry eye and eye strains and disrupt your circadian rhythm, which is responsible for helping you sleep at night. One nifty gadget that can be as cheap as $10 is a pair of blue light glasses. Blue light glasses can filter out blue light, so your eyes can remain sharp and alert. They can also help you feel more energized and help you get through that 3 o’clock slump as the workday begins to wind down.
4. Noise-Canceling Headphones
When working from home, there can be a lot of distractions, especially if you have family members, pets, and roommates wandering around the house. To keep you on your A-game, a pair of noise-canceling headphones will come in clutch. When it’s time to enter the zone, pop on your favorite playlist, and tune out the world.
5. Houseplants
Being stuck inside all day behind a computer can take a toll on your well-being. While you may be on a tight schedule that reduces your ability to head outdoors, you can bring nature inside with some houseplants. Houseplants are proven stress-relievers and are also great at removing toxins from the air and boosting productivity. Because you’re so busy, invest in easy-to-care-for plants, such as:
- Spider plants
- Snake plants
- Monstera
- Fiddle leaf fig tree
- Aloe vera
- Peace lilies
By placing a few green houseplants on your work desk, you’ll feel much happier at work even during stressful periods of the day.
6. Gaming Chair
Hear us out—gaming chairs aren’t just for video game enthusiasts. They also make great everyday chairs for the busy workaholic. Gaming chairs are designed with ergonomics in mind. This means different trigger points in your body are taken into account, such as your shoulders, neck, back, and legs. With adequate lumbar support and cushion throughout, a gaming chair will keep your body comfortable, so you don’t suffer from sore or strained muscles.
7. Under-Desk Bicycle
If you’re worried about not getting enough exercise or movement throughout the day because you’re glued to your work computer, consider purchasing an under-desk bicycle. An under-desk bicycle sounds just like it is—a bicycle underneath your desk. While it’s not actually a full-sized bicycle, it’s a pair of pedals you can spin while you’re sitting in your chair. This way, you can get your heart rate up without leaving work, so you can kill two birds with one stone.
7. An Awesome Coffee Maker
A professional-grade office coffee maker is a must for any home office. High-end models come with features like programming options, adjustable brewing temperatures, and built-in grinders. If you take your coffee seriously, investing in a good coffee maker can be worth its weight in gold.
Not to mention it will add some style and sophistication to your home office. A great example of a coffee maker that is both efficient and aesthetically pleasing is the Breville Precision Brewer. It features customizable temperature settings, an intuitive interface, and a programmable timer so you can have a freshly brewed cup of joe on demand.
The Bottom Line
Working from home can be extremely uncomfortable without the right gear. To ensure you don’t end up resenting both your home and your job, it’s important to invest in the right gear that promotes a productive workspace. With this list of the top X gear, you’ll enjoy working from home like never before.
Home office -DepositPhotos