More people are transitioning to working from home full-time, saving money and time on a long commute to work and streamlining their business.
If you’re making this move to a permanent WFH lifestyle, make sure your workspace contains all the essential items for creating a productive and comfortable working environment. Our list of essentials can help you determine what you need for your permanent home office—from premium-grade inkjet ink to a high-quality sound system and an ergonomic chair.
1. High-Quality Desk
If you’ve been temporarily working from your kitchen table, you need to upgrade to a functional office desk. There are many types of desks on the market, so choosing the right one for your home office can feel daunting. Luckily, there are a few key factors you can consider before making your purchase.
Make sure you’re getting a desk with suitable dimensions for your space. Measure the height and width of your work area, allowing for clearance on either side of the desk to allow for a free flow of foot traffic.
You also must consider the height of the desk relative to your seated height to create an ergonomic work environment. A person of average height (between 5’8” and 5’10”) needs a desk 28 to 30 inches high. If you are taller or shorter than average, an adjustable desk is an ideal solution to finding the perfect height.
If you are limited on space, consider a wall-mounted desk or a coffee table that converts to a standing desk.
Also, think about any extra features you might want from your desk, such as storage for files, built-in technology ports or a pull-out keyboard tray and writing board.
2. Compact Safe
It’s always a good idea to have a safe in your home office, especially if you need somewhere secure to store important documents. Try to find a safe that’s compact so you can fit it in one of your desk cubbies or tuck it discreetly under the desk. Your safe should also be waterproof and fireproof.
3. Home Sound System
If you’re someone who likes to listen to music while you work, invest in a high-quality audio system for your office. Some people find listening to instrumental soundscapes or light piano melodies helps them tune in to their work, while others love turning up some hip-hop or percussive house music to soundtrack their admin duties. If your job involves creative content production, you can listen to inspiring podcasts and work-related videos or radio broadcasts through your high-quality speakers.
Even if you prefer not to listen to music or podcasts while you’re working from home, you’ll still appreciate the effects of a premium-grade audio system when it produces crisp sound during a virtual meeting so you won’t have to rely on poor-quality laptop speakers.
4. Premium-Quality Inkjet Printer
No home office is complete without a high-quality printer that allows you to scan and send image files and documents and print important certificates or paper records. Even in the new digital age, many companies still require a hard paper copy of essential work documents. It also allows you to highlight important sections in the text.
If you’re looking for a premium-grade home printer, it’s best to opt for an inkjet model. These units are designed to print on many kinds of paper, from matte options to glossy sheets. You can even get inkjet paper that allows you to print gorgeous high-resolution photos. This paper has an absorbent coating that prevents the ink from smudging or smearing.
You’ll find inkjet printers are more compact and multifunctional than their laser counterparts, making them an ideal product for your home office. Like the Epson Workforce, many inkjet models are also more energy-efficient than the laser options on the market, saving you money on Epson printer cartridges in the long run.
5. Ergonomic Office Chair
When you’re working from home, you’ll be spending a lot of time sitting at your desk. This means it’s crucial to make sure you have an office chair that’s comfortable and ergonomic.
Try to find a chair with ample built-in lumbar support for your lower back. If your office chair doesn’t support this region, you’re more likely to develop a poor, slouching posture as you sit.
You should also look for a product with adjustable armrests and effective elbow supports. These features take the strain off your shoulders and neck as you work at your desk. Some people like chairs with integrated footrests so you can keep your calves at 90 degrees to your hamstring, encouraging you to sit in a healthy, upright position.
6. Cloud-Based Storage
Cloud-based storage is a more efficient and effective way to keep, organize and access important work documents. It also allows you to collaborate with colleagues more efficiently by sending sensitive items or items with a large file size.
There are several secure cloud-based servers available. Google Drive is typically the preferred platform because it is easy to navigate and offers ample free space. However, Dropbox is often used for businesses because of its collaborative features. Whichever storage platform you choose, ensure it allows you to customize the level of accessibility and that files are updated instantaneously.
7. Digital Password Management
Privacy and security are paramount when working remotely, so access to software, applications and collaborative tools is typically password-protected. However, if there are several passwords you need to use, it can be challenging to remember them all.
A password management system ensures all WFH employees have access to the necessary digital tools by allowing each person to use a single login. This is achieved using encryption and password wallets. It also allows users to retrieve lost passwords without losing saved data or files.
The most popular password management apps available are LastPass, Onelogin, 1Password and Okta.
In Conclusion
Making the switch to working from home permanently may feel overwhelming, but there are many ways you can make your home office a pleasant and productive workspace. By investing in ergonomic, functional equipment, digital collaborative tools and password management apps, you’ll ensure you have a space that enhances your workflow and keeps you connected with your colleagues.