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In recent years, commuting to the office has started to become a relic of the past – with innovations like affordable home computers, fast and reliable video calls, and secure cloud storage, more and more people have been able to make the switch to working from home.
However, you’ll want to make sure that you have all the tools you need to work as effectively as you can outside of a traditional office setting. In this article, we’ll detail some of the equipment you should gather together to make your home office functional and comfortable.
An Ergonomic Keyboard
If you’re working from home, you’re going to be spending a large chunk of your time typing out all sorts, from quick searches to essays that clock in at thousands of words. Therefore, you don’t want to be stuck with a keyboard that leaves you with aching wrists at the end of the day – or worse, causes problems like carpal tunnel syndrome.
You can avoid issues like this by investing in an ergonomic keyboard, designed to provide maximum comfort while you’re at work. They aren’t much more than a regular keyboard, especially if you’re already investing in a new computer setup – while you’re at it, it’s also worth getting a cushioned mousepad, to prevent similar problems from occurring.
A Good Computer
Over the decades, computers have gone from an added convenience to the backbone of most businesses, so they’re an important place to invest your money. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option you can, a good computer is arguably the most important part of your home office setup, so it’s vital to shop around and invest wisely.
There are plenty of sites that can provide advice on exactly what computer will best suit you – whether you’re an artist, an accountant, or a CEO, no matter your needs, there will be a computer that suits you.
A 4G Router
If you want to remain connected to the office IT network even if you’re outside of the office, or utilise your work internet rather than relying on a home connection, a 4G router is a vital piece of technology. Even if you don’t quite understand the nuances of how 4G works, a 4G router is straightforward to setup and use.
Holding multiple SIMs at once (some routers holding over twenty), 4G routers create a robust connection that is completely wireless, and that can connect to your work network regardless of where you are, keeping you in the loop. Selecting the right mobile data router can be the difference between staying online – or missing important calls and notifications.
A Surge Protected Extension Lead
If you’re relying on devices as important as an expensive computer and a 4G router, the last thing you want is for them to stop working for reasons entirely out of your control. But this is a serious risk – power surges can completely brick your devices, and there’s not much you can do to fix them after the fact.
Prevent this entirely by plugging your devices into a surge protected extension lead, effectively ensuring that your most vital pieces of kit are as safe as they can be. In addition, it’s worth getting an extension lead with extra USB slots, which allow you to charge devices like your phone without the need for an adaptor plug.
A Comfortable Office Chair
While you can get away with using a cheap desk or a discount filing cabinet, an office chair isn’t a place that you want to save money – using a chair not designed to be sat on for long periods of time will result in headaches, neck stiffness, and even ongoing back problems.
By investing in a high-quality office chair with adequate back support, you’re preventing any future issues that might hinder you from working, as well as making your desk set up a comfortable, inviting place to be instead of somewhere you can’t wait to get away from.
A Supply of Daylight
Daylight is scientifically proven to improve your mood and make you feel energized and is therefore invaluable in an office setting. The most straightforward way to get sunlight is to work near a window that receives a lot of sunlight, but not all of us are lucky enough to have a location like that in our house.
Luckily, there are lots of lamps that can provide you with your fix of sunlight by mimicking it, boosting your mood even in a windowless room. This also means that you can control the direction of the light – it’s not ideal when the sunlight coming through your window ends up hitting your screen and causing glare, ending up as more of a hindrance than a help.
Also read: Seven Things Every Marketer Should Know About 3D and AR
A Dedicated Home Office
If you’re working from home, it might be tempting to assume that you can just sit on the couch with a laptop and perform as well as you can in an office. If you don’t separate work from home, it can be easy to get too relaxed in your office, and too stressed out in rooms like your bedroom and lounge designed for chilling out in. While it might not technically be a single piece of kit, a space in your home dedicated to work can make a world of difference to your attitude and productivity.
A spare bedroom that you can convert into a workspace is ideal, but there are other ways to create a home office space. For instance, you can transform a shed into a workspace if you have enough outdoor space, and you can utilize screens and room dividers to split a bedroom or lounge into multiple areas with different purposes. It also helps to decorate this space in a way that creates a good work atmosphere – bright colors create a vibrant environment, and house plants add a touch of the outdoors if you’re missing the scenery of your morning commute.
