10 Must Have Items for a Home Office

Hybrid working and digital workstations are now the norm in most companies; this is good news for both companies, who can save money on their bottom line, and for employees who can design their lives around their work. But, there is a pressing need for more home office space. 

If you require a home office or dedicated space to work throughout the day, there are plenty of options. If you don’t have a loft, basement, or spare room, you can also convert a large cupboard for a home office. As long as it contains the items in the article, it is an effective space. 

Comfy Chair

Let’s face we spend half our days working, which adds up to half a lifetime; if you don’t have a comfy chair in your home office, you might have more than old age to contend with. Nowadays, companies are focused on mental health, but we still need to pay attention to physical health; neglecting this can lead to long-term health issues that are avoidable with the right equipment. 

According to experts, a comfy office chair needs to be 16 to 21 inches off the floor; you need to be able to keep your feet flat on the floor to maintain a suitable posture as you work; this height should allow your arms to operate freely. Look after your health at work with a comfortable chair.  

Smart Desk

Another must-have item in your home office is a smart desk. Desks come in a wide range, and it is important to choose one that complements your comfy chair. Not only does it need to be the right height, but you need enough space on the desk’s surface to operate. Some also elevate. 

Nowadays, there is a trend towards a smart desk that elevates to a suitable height depending on whether you want to sit or stand. When you sit all day in the home office, you start to manifest lower back pain due to the consistent pressure in that area. Standing is excellent for your body. 

Modern PC

These days computers come in different shapes and sizes; some people even consider a smartphone to be a computer, although you wouldn’t want to use one of these for your work. Depending on the nature of your work, you might require a laptop, desktop, or tablet device.

Take your time choosing a laptop or PC from a quality computer shop, and make sure you consider the internal specifications as well as the general dimensions. It’s usually best to buy a newer computer with the latest OS software rather than save some money on an older model.  

Spacey Shelving

There’s no doubt about it; a home office needs a shelving system. Whether you have a ton of floor space or you are severely limited, spacey shelving helps you to stay organized and make the most of the vertical space in the room. Spacey shelving also comes in different varieties. 

If space is limited, consider a floating shelf unit that attaches directly to the wall offering extra shelving space higher up. If floor space isn’t an issue, the home office is better off with a freestanding unit that provides more storage space overall. But, there is shelving for all spaces.   

Quality Lamps

Lighting is crucial in a home office and in any office. Not only do workers need to see what they are working on clearly, but they also need to stay motivated and alert while working long hours; lighting is very effective at achieving this, so ensure you have an assortment of lights and lamps. 

One of the first things you should do in your home office is to change overhead incandescent lighting for LED bulbs that offers more lumens for less energy; LED lights are cheaper and more effective. Lights and table lamps with dimmer switches are also sensible for you more options.   

House Plants

Have you noticed that you feel less stressed, tired, and depressed when you are in nature? It’s not only because walking is pleasant and the plants and trees smell nice; it’s also because the soil contains a bacterium called mycobacterium that is known to release serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is a feel-good chemical in the brain that reduces stress and anxiety and lifts your mood; if you want to improve your working environment and stress levels, make sure you have plenty of house plants around you with quality soil. House plants can also purify the office air.

Filing Unit

The need for hardcopy filing is definitely on the decline thanks to electronic storage; this is a positive development because it reduces our reliance on paper which fells trees and contributes to climate change; still, businesses require hardcopy filing too, and home offices need storage. 

If space is at a premium in your home office, consider under-desk storage or over-desk storage, this is the easiest way to file small amounts of paper and documents. Alternatively, choose a dedicated filing unit that can find a place in the corner of the office for neatly organized storage.  

Accent Wall

Ask any professional company with office space, and they will tell you about the link between colors and productivity. Although studies into the relationship between colors and moods are still ongoing, people have known for centuries about the correlation between colors and feelings. 

If you want to increase productivity in your home office or reduce your stress, paint an accent wall in a prominent place. If you paint a yellow accent wall, you can expect to feel more productive throughout the day; paint a green one, and it reduces your stress. Experiment. 

Office Supplies

The last thing you need is to need a stapler, tape dispenser, ink pen, or post-it notes, and not have any to hand; if you were in the company office, you could simply leave your desk and head to the stationary cupboard, but that’s not always an option in the home office, so buy supplies. 

It’s useful to think of your home office as a conventional office that requires stock. Make sure you have all the office essentials to carry out your job easily and a few things you might buy just in case. If you want extra motivation, why not buy nice stationery that suits your personality?    

Cable Clips

A conventional office has a network that runs cables through the floor and under the desks; it’s important for health and safety reasons to have these cables neatly arranged and tied up. In a home office, you don’t have the same health and safety requirements, but you still have issues. 

A home office has a desktop PC, laptop, and other devices around; you might also have cables and extension cords running for lamps, fans, and television sets. While you don’t have compliance issues, you still have health and safety ones, so make sure they all have cable clips.  

Final Thoughts

If you work from home, you need a dedicated space for your home office; this is where you will spend most of your day earning a living for your family. Not only do you need to make sure you are undisturbed and separated from the household, you also need a pleasant working space.  

In this article, we have walked you through the essential equipment needed for an effective home office; this equipment is both functional and ergonomic, so you can enjoy the long hours your spend in front of the screen. Start small and build your home office into the ideal space.