Many of us have spent far more time rearranging our Asana tasks, choosing a Zoom background, or setting up Microsoft Teams than choosing a good chair for our home office. But if you are planning to work from home for the foreseeable future, you would be wise to invest in quality furniture and equipment that will allow you to work at your best. Make sure you are fully set up for remote work by checking off the home office furniture and equipment on our list.
1. Comfortable Office Chair
An office chair is one of the most crucial components of your home office. It should be comfortable, adjustable, and designed to help you avoid back pain.
You can find office chairs made from a wide variety of materials depending on your preference. If you have sensitive skin, are looking to maximize comfort, or want to project a prestigious image, you may want a leather office chair. If your main concerns are cost and breathability, you may want a mesh or fabric-covered chair.
At Everett Office Furniture, we offer a variety of ergonomic office chairs from popular brands such as Hon, Performance, Makr, and more. Ergonomics are important as they can help avoid pain and increase productivity.
2. Home Office Desk
It’s not a home office without a desk! There is a wide variety of home office desk options to choose from, and the best choice depends on your needs and aesthetic preferences.
If you have minimal paperwork and are looking for the best ergonomic option, you may want a height-adjustable sit to stand desk. On the other hand, home office workers who need more storage room or prefer a traditional design may want a country-style home office desk with heavy drawers, plenty of desk space, and matching shelving.
3. Computer
Most jobs that can be done from home in the United States are computer jobs. Even if your work often involves visiting customers’ homes or overseeing a restaurant, you will most likely need a computer to manage your email, update your website, and make work-related documents such as schedules.
If your only computer is a slow, older laptop you bought for occasional personal use, you may want to consider upgrading to something that will give you better performance. Depending on your preference and budget, that might mean anything from an inexpensive Acer Aspire 3 to a power 27-inch iMac with a 10-core Intel Core i9 processor.
4. High-Speed Internet
You need a good internet connection to do any of your work online. If you find that your internet is too slow for daily work use from the people in your household, it’s probably time to consider upgrading. You never want to be in a situation where you can't effectively communicate or deliver an important project due to slow internet.
5. Network Router
If you have your internet set up, you probably already have a router. A network router is essential for any home with more than one computer or device that connects to the internet.
6. Backup Drive
You should make a habit of regularly backing up your data in one way or another. Cloud-based backup services can be a good option for many people, but if you choose not to use them or have essential data you really can’t afford to lose, it’s a good idea to have an in-house backup so you are protected in case of catastrophe.
7. Lighting Equipment
Headaches and eye strain are never fun, and there’s no escaping if they are enflamed by your work setup. Take care of yourself by keeping your home office well-lit throughout the day, preferably with a combination of natural light and high-quality artificial lighting.
8. Desktop or Laptop Home Office Equipment
An adjustable monitor or laptop stand allows you to set up the screen you use for the best ergonomics and work visibility. You will definitely need at least one monitor if you have a desktop computer, but for some jobs, you may prefer the extra screen space from multiple monitors even if you have a laptop. You can even purchase a desk top riser that allows you to better see your monitor without straining your neck.
If you don’t have the desk space for a monitor, you may want to consider a laptop stand. These handy tools allow you to keep your laptop screen at eye level even if your desk can’t adjust to that height.
9. Keyboard
If you have enough space on your desk or a pullout keyboard holder, you will probably want a separate keyboard so you can keep both your eyes and hands at the ideal ergonomic height. Be sure to get a keyboard that matches the type of computer you have. You may run into more difficulties if you try to use, say, a keyboard designed for PCs with a Mac computer, although there may be workarounds for some keyboard shortcuts. A pullout keyboard tray is a great accessory that will maximize your space.
10. Cable Management Equipment
The tangle of cords beneath your minimalist sit-stand desk is both an eyesore and a minor safety risk. To keep your space organized, it’s worthwhile to spend a few bucks on some inexpensive cable ties or clips.
11. Surge Protector
Surge protectors or surge suppressors do a lot more than just extend the length of your laptop charger: they protect your electronics from power surges. Most power surges are tiny and do not interrupt electrical service, but some, especially those caused by external events, can wreak havoc on your devices and circuitry.
An external power surge from an event such as a tree branch falling on a power line could fry your computer. A surge protector will help diminish that risk and extend the life of any electronic device you use it with. Keep in mind that a surge protector is not the same as a power strip, despite the similar appearance.
12. Home Office Headset
Many home office workers have regular calls throughout the week. You may want to invest in a comfortable USB headset for conference calls at your desk or a Bluetooth headset if you need to talk on the phone while driving.
13. Phone Service
You probably already have this set up, but you should make sure you have good phone service wherever you work. For many people, that might just mean having a reliable mobile phone service. For others, there may be a need for VoIP technology or another solution.
14. Home Office Printer/Scanner
If you have a truly paperless office, there’s a good chance you can get by without a printer. But if you need to print or scan paperwork for work or personal purposes every once in a while, you will appreciate having a printer on hand.
15. Recycling Bin
Not every home office worker will have lots of physical paperwork, but some may have enough where it makes sense to keep a recycling bin nearby. Keep in mind that you should only place non-sensitive papers in the recycling bin; sensitive documents should be shredded.
16. Paper Shredder
If you have sensitive documents you will need to destroy, such as mailings with financial or other confidential information, a shredder is a must-have for your home office.
17. Uninterruptible Power Source (UPS)
If you do critical work on your computer and can’t risk unexpectedly losing power for even a second, it’s a good idea to invest in a UPS. A UPS allows you to seamlessly switch to backup battery power for a few minutes if you have a power outage. While most models do not provide long-term power, they do give you some extra time to save your work, safely shut down your equipment, and turn on a standby power source if you have one.
18. Home Office Equipment Storage Space
Even workers at supposedly paperless home offices may have some paper documents, writing supplies, and other equipment they need to store. If you think you may need to store a few loose items or physical documents, you will want a small filing cabinet, desk drawers, or shelving to complete your home office furnishings. Office bookcases, single door cabinets, or storage cubbies are also great options to store important information and supplies. For highly sensitive and important documents, you may want a fire-resistant safe or at least a cabinet with locking drawers.
19. Productivity App
Ahh, productivity: that elusive quality every office worker needs, whether they work at home or elsewhere. You may already use team productivity tools like Slack, Trello, and Asana at work, but if you need something for your personal time management, you may want to consider apps like Toggl for time tracking or Todoist to manage your tasks.
20. Your Favorite Home Office Decor
One of the advantages of working from home is that you can decorate your office space however you like! Whether you love a bold wall color to add interest, houseplants to keep relaxed, travel keepsakes to make you feel like you’re somewhere more exciting, or a few photos to keep you motivated, you won’t regret investing some time and effort into your home office decor. Not convinced? Studies show that certain types of decor can actually increase your productivity.
Need Help Finding Quality Home Office Furniture?
Everett Office Furniture offers a wide variety of high-quality office furniture for home offices and beyond. We are a full-service furniture dealer that takes pride in serving our community throughout the Puget Sound community. If you are looking to buy furniture from a local business or simply want to explore quality furniture options, check out our product selection today.