So many companies have decided to make the permanent switch over to remote working. For many of us, this is great news and there are a load of benefits.
However, it also means that our sketchy work-from-home set up at the kitchen counter has to become a permanent solution. For obvious reasons, that isn’t going to work. 2022 is the year to commit to setting up a full home office to make your work life easier and more efficient. Here are some essentials you need.
A Printer
If you’re someone who works with a lot of administrative tasks, constant documents coming in and out, and needing to sign papers every 30 minutes, you know the value of having an office printer.
While for some of us this might not be very useful, others know that a color laser printer can completely change the game for a home office setup. The best thing about this is that it can serve you in your personal life too (but we’ll call it a business expense).
A Second Screen
If you grew accustomed to working with two screens at your regular office, you’ll know the struggle of having to readjust to the single-screen life. Switching between 300 different tabs, windows and documents every two minutes gets tedious, and having that second screen can boost your time efficiency and productivity by miles.
Good Internet
With the kids streaming Netflix downstairs and your husband working on a Zoom call in the other room, your cheap, unstable internet connection is probably bursting at the seams and slowing your workflow.
When anyone in your household works from home or studies remotely, investing in a good internet connection is well worth the money and effort you’ll have to put into finding the perfect setup. Ask for recommendations, read reviews and compare prices – but don’t cheap out on this one.
A Comfy Chair
The plastic chair you took from the patio furniture isn’t going to cut it long-term. If you’re officially a work-from-home employee, you need to invest in a proper desk chair to support your back.
An ergonomic chair is important for someone who spends most of their hours sitting at a desk – and you’ll want to spend good money on this one too. If your budget is tight, look for second-hand options, but make sure they’re a good brand and suitable for your body. Remember, everyone is different.
Noise-Cancelling Earphones
Chatty, invasive colleagues can be annoying, but the difference is that in the office, there’s nothing we can really do about that without potentially stepping on toes. When you’re at home, it’s different. It’s important that you can break away from the sounds of your home and get into the right mindset.
Using noise-cancelling earphones to drown out your bickering kids or the football on the TV while you’re trying to get some work done is perfectly acceptable in your home office, and definitely encouraged. Don’t let yourself get distracted. Throw on some focus-friendly beats and get into work mode.
