16 Essentials For Improving Productivity While Working From Home

Having a high-quality working environment is essential when working from home.

Working from home has never been more popular in the age of the internet (and in the age of COVID!). It is imperative to have your home office set up with all the essentials you need to have a productive day, even from your living room.

This post is a guide to the top 16 essentials you need to make sure you have the right workspace set up in your home.

1. Computer

The most essential thing you need when working from home is a computer! Not many people can do any kind of work without one.

A laptop is best when working from home as it is mobile, meaning you can move it from room to room or from the office back to home.

Laptops these days are powerful and have all the functionalities of a traditional computer.

2. A Monitor

Having a top quality monitor in your home working space is a real lifesaver! If you have a desktop computer then it is very likely you already have a monitor. However, they can also be used as a bigger, more comfortable display for any laptop. Laptop screens usually aren’t big enough or at the right level for optimal posture.

Having dual monitors is also a game changer if your work can be organised on multiple screens at once.

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3. High-speed Internet Access

Having high-speed internet access is absolutely essential for your home office. Your productivity will suffer immensely if you have a slow or erratic connection.

High-speed internet such as fibre is especially critical if you plan on having regular video calls, if you have large files to download and if you have more than one person working from your home.

4. A Good Desk

You really can’t work from home without a desk! Working from the kitchen table or bench might be fun for a while, but soon distractions will creep in and your productivity will suffer without having a dedicated workspace with a desk.

It is ideal to have a traditional desk where you can create an ergonomically designed workstation. Something simple and minimalist works great for an at-home office, particularly if it is in the corner of your lounge or bedroom. Even better would be to do for an adjustable standing desk

5. A Good Chair

A comfortable and ergonomically designed desk chair is essential when working from home. You spend so many hours sitting in your chair making it one of the most worthwhile things to actually invest in.

Always test the chair before you purchase it to make sure it is the right fit!

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6. Good Lighting

It is critical to have adequate lighting in your home office for productivity and comfort. If the lighting isn’t good you may suffer from headaches and tiredness from squinting and straining. 

The more natural light you can have in your home office the better! But also make sure you have a desk lamp over your workspace for when the sun goes down or if natural light simply isn’t possible in your workspace.

You may also want to purchase a full-spectrum bulb for your office lamp which gives off more natural bright light. This helps to keep your energy levels up by reproducing the light of the sun.

You may also want to consider investing in blue light blocking glasses to help your body cope with the excess screen time and exposure to unnatural light.

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7. A Surge Protector

Protect your electronics by getting a good surge protector, especially if you are using a lot of computer equipment. This could save you big time & money in the long run!

8. Backup Drive or Cloud Storage

Don’t make the mistake of failing to set up an auto backup, either to an external hard drive or cloud storage systems such as iCloud or Google. You will need to have a plan in place to protect your important and sensitive work documents and data.

9. Smart Office Storage

You want to keep your home office clean and tidy, especially since you can’t ever really leave it! Having a clean and organised workspace can also help you feel more calm and productive. 

To help keep your workspace organised get some smart storage for your office supplies. Make sure you have a pen cup, filing stand, shelves, drawers and boxes to keep all your stationery, documents and folders neatly in order. 

Plus having your office set up this way will make it so much easier to find everything!

10. Wireless Keyboard

Having a good wireless keyboard is essential for working from home, especially if you have a laptop. A good keyboard will help you type faster and also allow you to have better posture, by not hunching over your laptop.

If you are a Mac user, the Apple Magic Keyboard is amazing and for PC users the ergonomic Logitech k350 Wireless Wave Keyboard is a top option.

11. Quality Wireless Mouse

A high-quality mouse will make a world of difference to your precision and speed, especially if you’re on a laptop. This item is definitely essential for working from home.

The Logitech MX Master 2S wireless mouse is a great option as is the Magic Mouse by Apple for Mac users.

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12. Mouse Pad

Along with a good mouse, you should have a good mouse pad to go along with it. Mouse pads help your wrists from strain when working long hours on your computer.

Mouse pads are an inexpensive way to make you more comfortable and productive in your home office.

13. Laptop Stand

A laptop stand is essential to work comfortably from home when you’re on a laptop. Laptop stands enable your screen to be level with your eyes. This ensures your desk is ergonomically set up so you can keep working through the day.

Laptop stands are affordable, discreet and there are plenty of options online.

This is the perfect alternative if you are unable to have monitors or you need your workspace to be more portable.

14. Notepad

Even though the days of paperless offices are almost behind us, sometimes it is easier to quickly write things down. Especially if you are taking notes in meetings, making a to-do list, taking details on a call or are wanting to quickly jot down ideas and inspiration. 

Plus notepads can add an aesthetically pleasing touch to your home office!

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15. Noise-cancelling Headphones With A Mic

Noise-cancelling headphones with a microphone are essential for your home office set up. If you are doing long video conference calls you to need to have this item. You will be able to hear everyone better and a good microphone will make it easy for your colleagues to hear you. Headphones also mean that no one in the house will be disturbed by your meeting.

Noise-cancelling headphones are great for you to block out outside noises and distractions happening in and around your home.

Apple AirPods Pro are the top option when it comes to home office head phones. They have noise cancellation, are wireless, simple and discreet.

16. A Pin Board

Pin boards are a great way to keep organised and on top of your to-dos in your home office. It is the perfect place for sticking your to-dos, ideas, inspirational images and quotes.

Infuse your workspace with your personality and keep inspired and motivated with a pin board. 

There you have our top 16 essentials for working from home to boost your productivity.

There will certainly be other things you will need for your home office depending on the type of work you do and how much space to have to work with. By investing in some or all of these 16 items you will be on your way to having a productive and full-functioning office at home!

Also if you need someone to take care of odd jobs around the house while you are working on being as productive as you can, why not post on ezy peazy and find a tasker near you to complete it for you!