What Do I Need for My Home Office?  

Home Office

Setting up a home office shouldn’t be focused on just getting the best devices, but finding the right components that would enable you to interact with the pc easily, communicate with the outside world effortlessly and work more efficiently. This guide should help you get started with a solid list of must-have home office items.

Prep your space.

Before anything else, you have to measure the space assigned for your home office and do a bit of planning. Think about vertical storage and router location and if you’ll be able to accommodate them within the given space or not.

Floating shelves are common because they’re space-savers and are easy to install.

Where is the router or modem located? Will you be able to move it inside or near your home office? If not, is the wi-fi connection strong from this area?

Lastly, will you be able to have privacy in your home office? If not, try to build a divider, install a blackout curtain, or move to an empty room to create some privacy.

Invest in your main tools.

Use the chunk of your budget for your computer and monitor.

• Computer. A typical home office can survive with a computer equipped with a high-end processor, at least 16GB RAM, SSD storage, Windows 10 OS. if your job is in the creatives, you’ll need an advanced graphics card (and a processor that could accommodate it).

If you’re going to be working remotely or require office-based days of the week, it might be best to invest in a laptop instead.

• Monitor. The size and resolution of your monitor could help increase your productivity because the bigger workspace you’ll have, the more tasks you’ll potentially be able to complete. You can achieve this by going with an ultra-wide monitor, a large-sized monitor (higher than 33 inches), or setting up multiple monitors on your desk.

Other options, such as curved displays and portable monitors, are also available should your work requires them.

• Printer, Scanner, Multipurpose Machine.

You might think you won’t need to use a printer anymore, especially in this age of emails and online file transfers. But once you’re caught in a situation where you have to receive a fax or print documents from your boss, that’s when you’ll realize it’s better to have a printer, scanner, or multipurpose office hub readily available whenever you need it.

• Surge protector and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

Regardless of where you live, there will always be a chance of a power surge. It could be rare and small, but the effect of these power surges can still be damaging to your computer and other devices.

Plugging your devices into a surge protector will guarantee that they’re safe from voltage spikes.

And while you’re at it, invest in a UPS as well. This device will provide you with enough power supply for a short period of time after the electricity goes out, so you can save your work and shut down your computer and devices safely.

Splurge on comfort.

You’ll be spending majority of your day in your home office, so make sure you’re comfortable working in that space. These three items could make or break your entire work experience at home:

• Desk – A desk with the wrong height can cause back problems real quick. Sedentary shifts are pretty common, which is why many health experts recommend using an adjustable standing desk. Because standing all day and sitting all day are both equally bad, having the flexibility to sit or stand while working gives you the best of both worlds.

Of course, there are other lumbar support accessories and exercise tools you can add to your home office when you have a standing desk.

• Chair – You have to pick out a chair that gives you the most comfort. When your body is comfortable, you’re brain would most likely be at its most productive. Pick a chair with the right height, sturdy armrests, an ergonomic design with lumbar support, and ideally a mesh back to prevent sweat from building up on your back.

While you’re shopping for an ergonomic computer chair, buy footrest pads, back cushion and other accessories that will maximize your comfort.

• Lighting – Lighting is usually an afterthought, but it should be one of your priorities, especially if you already have bad vision. If your home office has no natural light sources, or you work at nighttime, you have to create your own lighting sources and make sure that the light is enough not to give yourself eyestrain or headaches.

If you want to get fancy, you can also add strip lights for extra ambient.

There is a lot more stuff you can incorporate into your home office, but this list should be enough to get you started and working.