When you first begin working in a home office, the prospect of a new environment controlled entirely by you is enough to lift morale. However, you may have found that your enthusiasm for at-home work has dwindled over time. While many factors can contribute to “burnout,” there are things you can do to alter your state of mind and achieve greater efficiency.
I’ve been working from home for over 15 years and have learned what works and what doesn’t when it comes to maintaining productivity in a home office. I’ve also discovered some products that have really helped to keep me engaged while stationary for many hours a day. Let’s take a look at some of the top items in my home office that have helped boost my productivity.
1. L-Shaped Computer Desk
The foundation of any good home office is the desk. Choosing the right desk can make all the difference in your efficiency. If your desk is too small, you’ll likely find that your supplies are piled high, leading to a distracting work environment.
Desks without ample storage can also be a problem, as you don’t want to have to walk across the room each time you need something. To meet both your work space and storage needs, consider an L-shaped desk.
L-shaped computer desks are perfect for those who want to maximize their home office space as there is plenty of table room for computers, monitors, and supplies. These desks can also be found with ample storage to hold various go-to office supplies.
My recommendation: Coleshome 66” L-Shaped Computer Desk
2. Ergonomic Office Chair
Comfort is key when spending long hours in front of a computer screen. Ergonomic chairs are designed to provide solutions to common body aches and pains commonly associated with computer work.
These chairs support the body and take into account important aspects like back support, posture, weight distribution, and movement. They often offer rotational swivel and have wheels that glide effortlessly across the floor.
I particularly like mesh chairs as they are breathable and allow for air circulation. Also, look for office chairs that offer adjustable flip-up armrests, headrests, and backrests to ensure that the chair can be personalized to your specific needs.
My recommendation: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
3. Wireless Charging Pad
Having your technological gadgets charged and ready to go when you need them is essential when working at home. One of the easiest ways to ensure that your devices are always charged is by having a wireless charging pad within arm’s reach.
Today, you can find these products with multiple functions. For example, you may want a charging pad that allows you to charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods simultaneously.
You’ll also want to see the amount of power the device can support. Ideally, you want a charging pad that offers high power fast charging. It should also be compatible with a variety of newer phones to prevent having to buy a new charger with each upgrade.
I recommend: 3 in 1 Wireless Charging Station for iPhone
4. Cord Organizer
Having messy cables across and under your desk can be a real nuisance. You may find that you waste time trying to find the right cord in a sea of cables, or that your power cords are constantly getting bent or tangled together.
A low-cost way to resolve this problem is with a simple cord organizer. Cord organizers generally consist of small clips with adhesive backings that can be adhered to any surface, such as the end of a desk.
Within each clip, you can place a cord for easy access, such as your laptop cord, phone cord, or tablet cord. The clips can also be used for other purposes, such as holding pens and pencils.
I recommend: Cord Organizer and Cable Management
5. Desk Vacuum
Working in a home office often leads to small messes. This could be paper shreds, pencil shavings, or other debris that accumulates on your desk. Not only are these messes aesthetically unpleasing but can also be distracting.
When trying to boost your productivity in your home office, it’s important to maintain a clean and tidy environment. One way to achieve this is by getting a desktop vacuum cleaner.
Desktop vacuum cleaners are small, wireless, and offer high suction power to rid your desk of paper scrap, dog hair, daily dust, or anything else you may need cleaned up. Most run off USB rechargeable batteries.
I recommend: Odistar Desktop Vacuum Cleaner
6. Noise Cancelling Headphones
If you’ve ever worked from home, you know how sounds in and around your home can be quite distracting. From kids fighting to dogs in the neighborhood barking, these sounds can quickly impact your productivity.
Noise cancelling headphones can be a blessing when you need to drown out environmental sounds. Put on some of your favorite music and shut out the world around you as you work. Wireless headphones are best to eliminate bothersome cords.
To make listening to music even easier, consider headphones with Bluetooth technology. This allows you to connect your headphones with your phone or computer to play pre-created playlists.
I recommend: Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Noise Cancelling Headphones
7. Day Planner
Keeping up with work assignments is impossible without the right organization. Day planners make it simple to see what tasks you need to complete on any given day or week at a glance.
While there are literally thousands of options on the market, not all are made equal. I prefer a day planner that has hours listed that you can use to block out certain tasks, such as writing projects, meetings, or important phone calls.
I also enjoy planners that have extra features, such as monthly reviews. This provides me ample room to write down additional information I want to look back on later, such as big projects that were completed or insights gained.
I recommend: Clever Fox Planner Pro Hourly Weekly Planner
If you have a home office, please share in the comments what items you use to keep you comfortable and productive.
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