Working from your home and realizing that your work area is lacking? Finding it hard to concentrate while working on your couch? Do you need a dedicated space to do all of your multitasking? You need to turn your space into a home office! Whether you just started working from home or have been stuck at home for a while, here are the home office essentials that you need to turn any space into a workspace
In short:
- Desk
- Chair
- File Cabinet
- Internet
- Printer
- Surge protector
- Desk Lamp
- Highlighters
- Paper Shredder
- Microphone and Headphones
Note: This article contains affiliate links. Also, this article was written with the assumption that you already own a computer.
Desk
Your desk is going to be one of the most important home office essentials you can buy. Most people should aim for a desk that has sturdy construction, and a large surface to put your things on. Also, standing desks are becoming more and more popular as a way for people to get some physical activity while working. It’s nice just to stretch your legs every once in a while. Don’t skimp on buying a desk. You don’t want your desk to fall apart and end up damaging documents or your computer.
On the other hand, you don’t need a big executive desk to work from. Try to find sturdy construction within a budget price range. Have a checklist of items that are essential home office needs.
Desks and standing desks options:
VIVO Black Height Adjustable 36 inch Stand up Desk Converter
SHW 55-Inch Large Electric Height Adjustable Computer Desk
Chair
If you work in a home office for any lengthy period of time, you know how necessary it is to have a reliable office chair. This is especially true if you have a home based business. Choosing a chair that is made out of cheap products and won’t stand the test of time usually ends up hurting your back and your buttocks as well. If there are any home office essentials you need to splurge on, it’s an office chair. Do your research before buying any office chair. Read multiple reviews, look up YouTube videos, and even consider testing them out in a store. Consider options like:
· Lumbar Support
· Adjustable Seat
· Seat Cushion
Office chair options:
Furmax Office Mid Back Swivel Lumbar Support Mesh Chair
AmazonBasics High-Back, Leather Executive, Swivel, Adjustable Office Desk Chair
Duramont Ergonomic Adjustable Office Chair:
File Cabinet
A file cabinet allows you to store documents in a secure location. Not only that, but you can organize them in any way you see fit. File cabinets are a home office essential because they make organization so much easier for you and they can be relatively affordable. Something simple like a Lorell File Cabinet will suit most needs.
Internet
Internet access is a must for any online business. However, even if you don’t need internet access to run your business, it’s always good to have Internet available anyway. It can give you options to research and come up with ideas for your business or reach out to clients in an easy manner through email. Internet is only going to help your home office be better and more efficient should you need it.
Printer
A printer isn’t only a home office essential because you need to print documents, but also because you need to scan documents and send them to other people. Without a printer you can’t print out documents for handwritten notes or sign important documents and scan them into your computer. This slows workflow and can even hamper time sensitive tasks that need to be done. Even if you don’t plan on scanning any documents, having a printer is good just in case you need to print any emergency documents.
Printer Options:
Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 All-in-One Wireless Printer
Surge Protector
With all these electronic devices at your home you don’t want to cause a fire or to blow a fuse. That’s why you need a surge protector. A surge protector will help you stay safe, power multiple devices through one electric outlet, and save on energy costs. Try the Belkin 12-Outlet Pivot-Plug Power Strip Surge Protector. Although a little pricier than its competitors, Belkin is a trusted brand that gives you a ton of outlets to power all of your devices.
Desk Lamp
Sometimes you just want an extra light in a room at night. It can be easier on the eyes and consume less electricity than your primary room lights. Also, you can use them as paper weights when not in use. If you need one, here are some options:
Highlighters
With the switch to doing more work online and in the cloud some people have left behind highlighters as no longer a home office essential. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Whether you’re a student or own your own business, there are always going to be documents you want to physically hold and highlight to study and memorize. Just make sure to get the right highlighters for your style. Sharpie’s Tank Style is a classic that almost everyone uses.
Paper Shredder
If you handle important documents often, a paper shredder may be a good home office essential for you. Paper shredders make it easy for you to destroy documents and dispose of them. Paper shredders are relatively inexpensive and come in varying models depending on what your needs are. If you aren’t sure what type of paper shredder you need, consult with your boss as some may require your paper shredder to cut papers into smaller and smaller pieces. Consider these options if you are in the market:
AmazonBasics 8-Sheet Capacity, Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder
AmazonBasics 12-Sheet High-Security Micro-Cut Paper:
Microphone and headphones:
These days, almost all computers come with some type of dictation software. Why not take advantage of that by using a microphone or your EarPods to write faster? While dictation does not guarantee 100% accuracy, it’s much faster to talk your words instead of typing them. Consider a pair of Apple Wired EarPods or the Samson Q2U microphone. Either of these will bring your dictation accuracy up and therefore let you work less on editing and more on speaking. It’s a home office essentials item most people don’t think about!