Do you have plans of working from home? Then you will be in for a treat as your decision to work from home will let you enjoy a bit of freedom – one that you will not be able to experience especially in extremely rigid office settings. You just have to make sure that you have the right work from home accessories before starting.
By investing in the right accessories, you can have freedom at work while ensuring that you stay productive. Paired with the discipline to stick to an actual routine or schedule, these accessories will surely veer you towards success. You can also use such accessories to stay connected to your colleagues and eliminating distractions.
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How to Set Up a Remote Office?
While your decision to work from home gives you the freedom from the challenges linked to working in a physical office, there are also challenges linked to this setup. You might have a difficult time leaving the home setting mentally and getting into work mode, especially if your workspace is just a few steps away from your bed.
This is why you should create your home office in a way that can boost your productivity. The overall design should maximize your efficiency.
Keeping your space ergonomic
A healthy and productive workforce is something that you can achieve if you are capable of keeping your workspace more ergonomic. Your priority is to develop a good posture when you are working at your workstation. Make sure that your space allows your body to be in a neutral position whether you are standing or sitting.
Your posture also needs to be relaxed. It should not have stressful angles nor should you be required to reach excessively as a means of completing certain tasks. Most of the items in your remote office also need to be ergonomic.
For instance, you need to invest in an ergonomic mouse and keyboard. Choose to use adjustable chairs, desk, equipment, and other furniture that you can use for work. With that, you will surely be encouraged to have good posture as well as stick to a neutral body position.
Remove any distractions
Another tip in setting up your remote office or home office is to ensure that it is free of any distractions. Make sure that your work computer is different from the one you are using for non-work related stuff. It would be best to set up a separate room for your office and use it only for work purposes.
You should also lessen surrounding distractions in your home office. For instance, if you have a visible TV around then make it a point to cover it up using trendy barn doors. Another way to get rid of distraction is to soundproof your office.
It is possible to lessen outside noise by putting curtains, acoustic panels, and window inserts in your office. This will let you focus more on your job. Make sure that you won’t be distracted by things, like cellphones or gadgets, and limit your visits to your social media accounts during the work schedule that you have set.
Have your coffee or tea ready
It also helps to set up your remote office in such a way that you can easily access or reach coffee or tea. Note that whether you are a coffee or a tea drinker, it is a big help in keeping your energy and focus high.
If you want to have a regular tea or coffee fix while working then it would be helpful to set up your home office in a place close to your kitchen. It would be much better to have a cupboard workstation around.
Your goal is to have your tea or coffee making facilities close to you so you can quickly prepare it anytime. Having these facilities ready is also important if you have clients or guests who visit your home office from time to time.
Use apps that will help you stay productive
Staying organized and sticking to the task at hand can be challenging at times when you are working from home. With that said, you also need to use apps that will help you stay productive.
One of the most commonly used apps by those who work from home is Skype. You can use this for instant messaging with your team, clients, or colleagues, creating a chat room, or setting up conference calls.
You may also want to use Dropbox. It can encourage you to stay productive by acting as an efficient and user-friendly online storage tool that you can also use for syncing your files. It can sync your files more quickly and reliably compared to other apps.
There are several apps that a remote worker can use to boost his productivity. If you intend to go this route then make sure to install the most appropriate apps that focus on making you more productive even if you are not working in an actual office.
Try the Pomodoro technique
Working at home will also be more manageable if you use the Pomodoro technique, an effective technique designed to boost one’s productivity. The Pomodoro technique refers to a time management strategy, which aims to boost your productivity through the proper division of your workday.
It will be divided into chunks with high focus while also being separated by quick breaks. What is great about this technique is that it aids in controlling your time. It is because you set it in a way that you have a work schedule and a break.
This technique also helps in managing your distractions since you have a dedicated time to deal with them. Furthermore, the Pomodoro technique can benefit workers by boosting their accountability, keeping themselves motivated, minimizing mental fatigue and back pain, and improving their ability to plan for a specific period (ex. weekly, monthly, or quarterly).
Standing Desk Converters for Ergonomics
Now that you have gathered a few tips on how you can set up your home office or remote office, it is time to get an idea about the specific items and accessories you can invest in. One of the most vital accessories for home-based workers that you should invest in is a standing desk converter.
A standing desk is a popular choice among home-based workers nowadays because it eliminates the disadvantages of having to sit in a desk the entire day. Note that prolonged sitting is tiring and draining. It can even put your health at a disadvantage.
With the aid of a good standing desk, you can keep your workspace more ergonomic. This is good for your posture. It can also prevent you from dealing with the negative consequences of sitting for a long time.
A good standing desk lets you adjust it to various heights, so switching from sitting to standing will be easy. It can surely increase your productivity since you will be comfortable at work. The desk will prevent you from feeling too drained, thereby promoting a high level of efficiency and productivity.
A Comfortable and Adjustable Chair
It is also necessary to invest in a comfortable chair. As much as possible, go for one that has adjustable features and provides ergonomic support. The right level of support and comfort is important, especially if you intend to sit on the chair for hours.
A wise choice is a swivel chair – one that you can quickly and easily adjust to the proper and correct height. The chair is essential for your productivity as it enhances your level of comfort.
If you get one with comfortable cushioning and armrest as well as proper lumbar support then you can also lessen the risk of straining your neck, shoulders, and back. After finding the best chair for you, set it up correctly. This is the key to maximizing the benefits of all its supportive features.
Another remarkable advantage of this chair is that it lets you stay focused on whatever task at hand. It is because the comfort provided by it can lessen your distractions and stress level, which can also lead to better focus. An enhanced focus can lead to better productivity accompanied by fewer instances of mistakes and fast responses and actions.
You may also want to take a look at our top picks of ergonomic chairs under $200.
Multi-port Hubs
A multi-port hub is also another of the office desk must-haves that can boost your productivity. Many even consider this device as a productivity powerhouse since it usually acts as a connectivity hub that serves a wide range of purposes.
You will find a multi-port hub useful in connecting all files and data from a bigger HDMI display with just a single USB slot into an external hard drive. With that, expect it to play a major role in making your work from home experience even more enjoyable.
It is fun to work from home with this multi-port hub around because it can let you tackle a wide range of tasks no matter how serious your workload is. With the multiple ports provided by this item, you can do more tasks simultaneously.
It can provide your PC with more ports without getting rid of your access to power. This makes it a truly great addition to your home office.
External Monitors
Having external monitors is also vital for remote workers. You can use these external monitors to have a dual-monitor setup. With this setup, you can use a couple of monitors for just a single laptop or PC.
The setup can also significantly increase your productivity because having external monitors will prevent you from having to switch from one window to another using just a single screen. Make sure to look for dual external monitors that you can use with both your workstation PC and laptop.
With this, it is possible to expand your workspace on your desktop. Letting your workspace span across two screens is a big help in increasing your flexibility, too. You can do several tasks all at once.
For instance, you can serve customers while also performing other tasks, like answering emails and browsing the internet. It can also prevent you from cluttering up your screen with numerous applications, thereby ensuring that you can quickly access them.
Make sure to check out these monitor stand accessories.
Better Laptop Stands
Investing in a good laptop stand is also one of the office desk essentials for those who would like to work from home. To ensure that you are getting a better laptop stand, choose one with excellent build quality. It should be sturdy enough in the sense that it will not shake nor wobble when holding your expensive laptop.
This sturdiness can make you more productive since you will not be distracted with its unstable movements each time you are typing on your keyboard. It can also raise your productivity since you will have a lower chance of experiencing muscle and neck discomfort often caused by low screen height.
Make sure to pick a high-quality laptop stand, though. It should be able to minimize muscle tension and raise the screen to the ideal eye level. Having this work from home accessory can also give your laptop extra care because it can aid in boosting the thermal performance of your device.
Organizing Trays and Storage
Your home office setup should also have an ample supply of organizing trays and storage. These accessories can maximize your productivity as these play a major role in ensuring that everything in your home office is well-organized.
Organizing trays are perfect for storing and organizing your important files and documents. As much as possible, find organizing trays and storage solutions that are big enough to hold important documents.
The presence of such storage solutions can stimulate productivity as it ensures that your home office and desk remain clutter-free. Without clutter, you can think more clearly and focus more on the task at hand. It can also make you feel more comfortable while working.
You can also benefit from the time-saving benefits provided by organizing trays. It is because these items let you organize the things you need in a way that you can easily access them (ex. some files and documents). You no longer have to waste time searching for certain work materials since they are well-organized.
Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse
It is also advisable to set aside a part of your budget for wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse. The wireless ergonomic keyboard is especially important because you will be using it extensively. If you don’t have this keyboard then you will not be able to do your job.
Fortunately, you can now find a few designs for wireless ergonomic keyboards so finding one that suits you the most is a lot easier than before. Just make sure that when choosing a design, you have to go for one that can avoid wrist strain. Keep in mind that the use of a keyboard can lead to some issues like carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you experience such problems, then your productivity will be drastically affected. Go for an ergonomic keyboard that offers great support for your wrist to avoid issues, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
The same goes when looking for a mouse. It should be ergonomic to avoid carpal tunnel. The best ergonomic mouse would be that which can fit your hand well and glide free either on your work surface or mouse pad.
An All-in-One Printer
If there are documents that you need to print when working then consider investing in a high-quality printer. Depending on what your business or work specifically needs, it would be an excellent investment to have a scanner or printer in one.
As much as possible, go for an all-in-one printer or device. This is especially important if your job requires you to have hard copies of certain files or documents.
You can further boost your productivity if the printer you get can perform diverse tasks and applications. You can even find some of these printing machines featuring useful capabilities, like copying, color photo printing, scanning, and faxing.
Despite the multiple functions performed by an all-in-one printer, you can power it up with just a single cord. This is a good thing in saving power while also minimizing cable congestion. It can also save space as it is only one device, thereby preventing clutter in your home office.
Good Headphones
High-quality headphones should also be among the best work accessories that you have to invest in. It is essential especially if your job requires you to talk via phone the entire day.
With the headphone around, you can save your neck from strain and pressure while also ensuring that your hands are free to perform other tasks. With that, you can stay productive throughout your workday.
A good pair of headphones can also make working at home fun. You can use it for playing your favorite music or podcast when doing some tasks, like organizing and cleaning, web development, and data sorting.
It allows you to have some entertaining background noise that will prevent you from viewing your tasks as tiresome. You can also use it to play white noise to block some distracting sounds around your home office.
It is beneficial especially if your workspace is in a noisy area that has some distracting background noises, like heavy machinery, people talking, and cars. Good headphones can block such noises, thereby preventing you from losing focus.
Final Thoughts
Your decision to work from home can give you the kind of freedom that you are hoping for. However, you have to set up your workspace in a way that can maximize your productivity. It is also crucial to invest in the right work from home accessories – those that you can surely use to do all your tasks and finish them on time.
Before setting up your home office, make a list of everything you need. Invest in high-quality and cool desk accessories that are sure to boost your productivity. Make sure that your workspace is comfortable, too. It also needs to have decent lighting and should follow some ergonomic principles that will encourage you to do your job.
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Desk Advisor
Our team covers many categories to help you hustle better, from ergonomics to productivity, and technology. We are willing to ask questions (lots of them), seek experts, and dig deep into conventional wisdom to see if maybe there might be a better path towards the healthy workspace. We apply what we learn not only to our company culture but also how we deliver information to our readers. Ergonomic and productivity research is changing all the time, and we are 100% dedicated to keeping up with breakthroughs and innovations. You live better if you work better. Whatever has brought you here, we wish you luck on your journey towards better hustle.