Home Office Essentials List

Whether you have a dedicated home office or you simply commandeered a corner in the bedroom or living room, it's important that your work from home (WFH) space be properly equipped. While it goes without saying that you will need a quality computer or laptop and high-speed internet access, there’s much more that goes into creating a functional home office environment. It also requires proper planning and purchasing of basic essentials.

Here’s a list of what you should consider when setting up your home office:

• Get Comfortable
• Light Up Your Workspace
• Listen Up
• Embrace Electronics
• Stash and Store
• Put The ‘Home’ in Home Office

Keep reading for a look at the fundamental items that should be featured in any home office space.

If you are planning to do actual work – and not just binge-watch your favorite TV shows or shop online – then you will need to make sure that your home office has a proper place to sit. That means you need a quality desk and chair. Many medical experts recently have been touting the health benefits of stand-up desks as an alternative to traditional desks. That’s because sitting too much has been proven to increase the risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Healthline found that desks that allow you to stand up comfortably while working not only reduce these dangerous health risks but also help alleviate back pain and promote productivity. If you’re not ready to make the switch to a stand-up desk, consider purchasing an adjustable desk with an electric or hydraulic system that allows you to easily change the height from sitting to standing.

A comfortable desk chair is another essential element in a home office. New York magazine’s The Strategist likens the office chair to a mattress. Since you are going to spend about eight hours a day sitting at your desk, you need a chair that's both comfortable and supportive.

You want one that is scaled to your body size, so be sure to do a test sit. And, like a good mattress, you need to invest in a quality desk chair. You – and your back – will surely regret it if you try to skimp on a cheap chair. 

Good lighting is important in any home office. An overhead light is probably not sufficient, especially if your job requires reading a great deal of paperwork. You need direct task lighting. An adjustable desk lamp is your best bet, but if space is tight you might want to consider a floor lamp that can be directed to light up your desktop area. If your desk faces a wall, sconces are another excellent option.

While proper lighting will help alleviate headaches and eyestrain from squinting, prolonged computer use is still straining on the eyes. One simple solution is to get a pair of blue light glasses. These non-prescription lenses are specially designed to help fight eye fatigue. 

Noise is often an issue when working out of a home office, whether it be caused by outside factors or coming from family members or roommates. That’s why a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones is essential. They will eliminate distractions and allow you to concentrate on your work. If you participate in Zoom meetings, you might want to consider upgrading to a pair that features a built-in microphone.

A Bluetooth speaker is another great investment for a home office, especially if you are someone who enjoys ambient music or calming nature sounds while working. According to Bene.com, studies have shown that listening to music increases concentration and reduces stress. 

Space is often at a premium in a home office, so you will want to equip your WFH space with products that serve a dual purpose. For example, an all-in-one machine is the perfect piece of equipment. Basically, it contains a printer, copier, scanner, and fax machine in one small footprint that should easily fit on your desktop, a table, or in a cabinet.

If you use a laptop, then a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse go without saying. In addition, a laptop stand or a heat shield would be a wise purchase to protect your investment as these small – yet powerful – devices can easily overheat and burn out. You want to make sure your laptop is getting plenty of fresh airflow.

While laptops are great for on-the-go work, a monitor will make your work from home experience much more efficient. Available in a variety of screen sizes, the monitor can be set up to mirror your laptop screen – or you can use both simultaneously creating your own dual-screen desktop.

There’s nothing worse than having a power surge and losing all of your hard work. For that reason, a surge protector is essential for any home office. While there are plenty of inexpensive power strips on the market that contain built-in surge protectors, The Balance Small Business highly recommends investing in an uninterrupted power supply (UPS).

In the event of a power failure, this device will provide just enough backup power to let you save what you were working on and properly power down your equipment. They also recommend using a backup drive or personal server to save copies of your files to further protect against a computer crash.

Last but not least, every home office should have a paper shredder to destroy sensitive documents containing confidential client information. It’s not a bad idea to keep a recycling bin handy to toss all of the other papers you no longer need. 

Storage is typically a challenge when you work from home, so you will want to thoroughly organize your home office. This can be accomplished by eliminating unnecessary items, adding storage space with cabinets and drawers, developing an organizational system, and taking back your desk space.

One of the best ways to corral clutter anywhere in the home is by using bins & baskets, and your home office is no exception. These containers can be used to stash office supplies such as extra pens and highlighters, paper clips, and Post-it note pads, or to neatly store client files and personal papers like bank statements and insurance policies. Be sure to label your bins so you know where everything is located. 

Lastly, your home office is part of your home. It should meld with your personal décor style and be an inviting place to go to work each day. Fill it with items that bring you pleasure, such as family photos and vacation souvenirs.

If you have space, you might want to add a comfortable chair or a small love seat. This will give you a place to relax while taking a phone call, reading business journals, or simply taking a five-minute coffee break. Extra seating is also nice if your spouse or children tend to pop in for a visit. Liven up your space with a decorative pillow or cozy throw blanket, which you can always wrap around you while working if you get cold.

Distractions are abundant when working from home. A personal coffee station, like a Keurig or Nespresso, will allow you to recharge with caffeine without losing concentration. If you prefer a can of soda or seltzer as a refresher, then a small refrigerator might be just what you need. This will also allow you to keep a few healthy snacks on hand.

Scented candles and fragrance diffusers are also excellent additions to a home office. Not only will they make sure your office smells fresh, but certain scents also elicit different responses. Similar to aromatherapy, using essential oils can impact your mood by stimulating creativity & calming stress.

Live plants have also been proven to boost productivity and reduce stress, so make room for one or two. Perhaps a small succulent on your desktop and a larger potted plant in the corner to add a bit of brightness. As an added bonus, plants also improve indoor air quality. 

A functional home office requires much more than just a desk, chair, and computer. It’s important that you equip your work from home space with the proper products to create a productive and pleasant work environment. Your home office essentials list should include seating, lighting, listening devices, electronics, and décor. With proper planning, your home office can spark creativity, promote productivity, and provide a place where you enjoy spending your working hours. Plus, you can’t beat the commute!

• ene.com/en/office-magazine/background-music-in-the-home-office-is-it-a-help-or-a-hindrance/
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-a-standing-desk#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
• https://nymag.com/strategist/article/ask-the-strategist-the-best-home-office-chair.html
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/a-checklist-for-setting-up-your-home-office-2951767