May 11, 2020

Five Office Essentials You Need To Work From Home (And Five Extras To Make It More Enjoyable!)

Five Office Essentials You Need To Work From Home (And Five Extras To Make It More Enjoyable!)

During this time of quarantine, many of us are transitioning from working in an office setting to working from home. In my own household, I mainly work from home (pre-quarantine) whereas my husband Cory is used to working outside the home.

While I mainly work from the kitchen table on my laptop, my husband's job requires a lot of meetings and paperwork that need to remain confidential, therefore we've set up more of a formal office for him.

As well, it's hard to designate 'daddy work times' from 'daddy playtimes' with the kids when they have access to him in a communal space like the dining room. A separate office helps separate work from home and seems to function better for everyone.

We had a small extra bedroom that used to be our nursery that we were able to set up. While we're unsure how long he will be working from home, I've been planning on creating an office space where I can store important paperwork that my adorable toddlers cannot get into so now seemed to be as good of a time as ever.

The main focus of a home office is functionality.

Here are just a few of the things we considered essentials when setting up a home office:

This article may contain affiliate links which means I will receive a commission of sales purchased through links at no additional cost to you. All opinions are 100% my own.

1. Desk

The desk will depend on the shape of your room and how much desk space you need. I personally like having a large clear workspace with only the essentials on the desk and prefer something that has some built-in storage underneath.

Or something more simple (like this desk from Ikea).

I love having a little drawer underneath to store things I need often but don't want to clutter my workspace by having them on the desk.

2. Chair

This goes without saying, but your butt needs to be comfy if you're going to be sitting for a while. You can always use a standing desk or exercise ball if that's what you're into but I personally find it hard to focus unless I'm sitting comfortably. I also have trouble focussing if I'm sitting in a swivel chair because despite being 31, I will spin around in it like a child.

A chair that is aesthetically pleasing and also functional is definitely my sweet spot.

3. Printer

Even without working from home, a printer has become so necessary for our household (preschool fundraisers, work projects, Pinterest printables, etc). I recommend getting a wireless printer with a scanner and as a bonus feature, one that can connect to your phone so you can print on the go around your house (a feature that has come in handy many times while chasing toddlers).

I recommend setting up your printer on a small bookcase or storage area that you can keep extra paper and ink stored below and to keep your desk space free.

4. Paper Shredder

I don't know about your house, but even with paperless billing, we still have a ton of paperwork that requires shredding before it goes in the recycling.

I put off getting a paper shredder for so long, insisting that I can just cut it up by hand: cut to my ever-growing "to shred' pile. I finally broke down and bought a paper shredder and have no regrets.

5. Storage

This goes without saying, but you are going to need a place to keep your stuff. That stuff may be paperwork, supplies, etc. but it all needs a place to go. I use a filing cabinet, which I put my printer on top of, so I can keep all my supplies and paperwork below.

A shelf is also a good idea to have to store supplies, books and some decor to cozy the place up.

Fun Little Extras to Make Your Office Space More Productive

Laptop Stand

A laptop stand is a good idea if you are going to be working on your computer a lot. It helps to be more ergonomic by placing your hands at a better angle for typing and reduces neck pain by lifting your monitor to proper sightlines.

The more comfortable you are, the more productive you will be.

Bluelight Glasses

Eyestrain and interrupted sleep cycles can be a side effect of too much screen time. One thing that has helped me get a good night's sleep and combat headaches from having to look at screens all day is blue light blocking glasses.

Charging Station

I use my phone a lot during the day, whether it's text messages, phone calls or breaks shamelessly watching TikToks which means my battery doesn't last very long (Hello iPhone 7 and refusing to upgrade!).

Having a charging station nearby for all of my electronics to charge is essential for me.

Mug Warmer

I don't know about you, but I find it almost impossible to finish a coffee without it getting cold. I make my morning cup, set it down and then get on a role working and before I know it, I might as well pop some ice in it and drink it cold!

In those cold Canadian winter months, sometimes you just want to sip on your coffee throughout the day. After heating up my coffee in the microwave for the millionth time, finally I gave in and bought a mug warmer!

Ambiance

I think your environment can make or break your productivity in a home office. For me, I like the office to be a space that I want to work in. Some of the things that help me create a good ambiance are an essential oil diffuser (with your favourite smelling essential oils!) or a candle if you so choose (I personally get nervous about fire safety so I opt for a diffuser).

I also like to make a work playlist for myself of songs that motivate me or chill songs depending on the day I have ahead.



I also think it's important to have some visual motivation around.

That might be a vision board you make for yourself with your goals on it or maybe a poster with a motivational quote. It's a balance of things that will inspire you but not necessarily things that will distract you from the task at hand.

  

With all of these items and tips, you are sure to be off to a productive start working from home.

What are your favourite things to have on hand in a home office? Do you have any tips for working at home with kids? Let me know in the comments below!

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xoxo stay blesssed!

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