In the last couple of years, the number of people opting to work from home has continued to rise. And while remote work comes with numerous perks, it also has its unique challenges. And one of those challenges is a workspace that lacks the proper tools and resources for a productive workday. For this reason, it’s crucial to ensure that you set yourself up for success by understanding which essential supplies every home office should have.
A Desk
Working from home is slightly different than working in the office, stuck in your cubicle. But the essential supplies every home office should have are generally the same. And when you’re setting up your workstation, one of the first things you should procure for yourself is a desk. From standing desks to handcrafted wood lecterns with ornate carvings, there are many options.
So it’s imperative to pick a work surface that will help you stay productive and comfortable throughout your workday. Doing this will streamline your tasks, organize your other supplies, and overall keep you sane while you manage the myriad aspects of a remote job.
A Comfortable Chair
After you decide on a desk that works best for you, the next step is selecting an excellent chair to match. Even if you choose to go with a standing desk, you’ll need to sit down and rest your body from time to time. So selecting a chair with a design that nurtures good posture can enormously impact the quality of your focus and, inherently, your work. Additionally, you’ll want to choose a chair with a durable build, as you’ll spend a good chunk of time sitting in it, so you need one that will last a long time.
Laptops and Monitors
It’s no secret that working from home usually requires you to sit in front of a computer screen all day. But something you may not have considered is that the tiny laptop monitor you’re working from isn’t as efficient and productive as it could be. So investing in a current laptop with all the bells and whistles can help you organize your tasks, streamline your work, and save you time.
Additionally, obtaining a couple of larger monitors that hook up to your work laptop can enhance your overall productivity. This is because working with multiple programs, documents, and emails at a time will help you avoid the tedium of switching back and forth between tasks.
Printer and Scanner
Even when working with digital products and services, you’ll likely need to print out paperwork or scan and send out necessary paperwork from time to time. For this reason, it’s crucial to invest in a reliable, compact printer with a scanning feature.
Doing this will give you the resources you need to work with physical documents when the occasion arises. Just as well, while you can find planning and paperwork organized on digital platforms, sometimes a pencil and paper are the most effective ways to plan and problem-solve.
Task Lights
While lighting on your desk may seem inconsequential to your workflow, it can significantly affect your mood and overall endurance throughout the day. Think about it, working in an office space with plenty of light will probably lead to a lot more productivity than if you work in a cramped, dimly lit area for eight hours. So getting yourself a couple of task lights to help keep your space bright and open can do wonders for your disposition, attentiveness, and capacity to produce excellent work all day long.
Office Stationery Supplies
You can’t have a fantastic office space without some stationery supplies to help you push through your daily tasks with a little more ease. Of course, you’ll need the classics, like pens, pencils, and a lovely notepad that you’re excited to use for meeting notes and the like. But it’s also wise to get yourself a calendar and post-it notes to have a place to write down important reminders and appointments.
Just as well, it’s always a good idea to have tape, folders, and even a manual saddle stapler for when you need to secure a booklet or several documents. Doing this will help you keep all of your physical documents organized, so you can focus on deep work rather than finding where you buried that crucial contract underneath all the other documents in your office.
Storage Containers
Whether you’re talking about stacks of paperwork or pens, pencils, and post-it notes, part of having a productive work environment is making sure that all of these things stay neat, organized, and out of your way until the moment you need them. The best way to do this is by investing in some organizational containers for all of your supplies.
One of the best things about these containers is that they come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, so you’re sure to find some that keep your office not only nice and neat but also aesthetically pleasing. Just as well, having these containers at your disposal will help you maximize your workspace so that you don’t become overwhelmed with unnecessary clutter.
Some Greenery
Many people tend to underestimate the power of having little splashes of green throughout their office. But the truth is, incorporating some plant life (even if it’s faux) can help tremendously offset some of the fatigue that comes with sitting in the same spot for eight hours a day. Plants can help reduce your stress, elevate your mood, and even improve the air quality of your workspace. Plus, it’s a friendly reminder of the world outside while you manage the arduous tasks that will inevitably come across your desk.
Working from home is becoming a popular choice for people across all industries. Because of this, you must understand how to set yourself up for success. You can do this by circumventing some of the unique challenges of a workspace inside your home. Hopefully, this detailed overview gives you some inspiration for how you’ll make your home office more streamlined, organized, and productive.
