Work From Home Essentials: 7 Things You Need In Your Home Office

Whether you’ve been working from home for years or the pandemic has made you a remote worker, the importance of properly setting up your home office is more important than ever.

Any time is a great time to do an audit of your office and make sure you’re setting yourself up for success.

In addition to home office basics like your computer, a good wifi connection, and extra batteries for your wireless mouse and keyboard, there are some often overlooked home office essentials.

1. Natural Light

Natural light does more than make you look great during virtual meetings, it actually has some proven benefits. It’s a proven mood booster, may help increase productivity, and is easier on your eyes than fluorescent light. (To further protect your eyes, purchase a pair of blue light blocking glasses. These are widely available with non-prescription lenses and will help reduce eye strain.)

If possible, set your home office up in a room with a nice, big window or sliding glass door. If you don’t have a room like this in your home, or you can’t get enough natural light, opt for soft, warm light bulbs to mimic sunlight.

2. Light, Airy Colors

One of the best things about working from home? You can decorate your office however you like! Most interior designers agree that light, airy colors like blue, light gray, or even light olive green are great wall colors. These colors are calming and act as a blank slate without being boring white. For decor and accents, choose items in colors and styles that you like so you’ll be excited to get to work every day. If you find yourself on a lot of virtual meetings, decorate the space that is on camera in a simple, but aesthetically pleasing way.

Just don’t let your office decor get too busy or cluttered, that’s a surefire way to get distracted.

3. A Clean Space

Speaking of clutter, you’ll want to avoid it altogether in your office. A lot of people have a tendency to let their home office double as storage, which isn’t ideal. If you don’t have another option, do your best to make a clear delineation between your personal storage space and your work space.

4. Ergonomic Furniture

If you work at home full time, you’ll probably be at your desk anywhere from 35-45 hours a week. The amount of time you spend at your desk makes ergonomic furniture arguably the most important home office must-have. 

How to Set Up an Ergonomic Workspace:

• Your main screen should be roughly 20 inches away from your eyes.
• Your office chair should be adjustable so you can get it just right. Your feet should touch the floor when sitting back in your chair.
• Look for a chair that can recline slightly. This reduces the risk of slouching, which we all know leads to shoulder and back issues.
• When sitting down at your desk, your keyboard should be roughly the same height as your elbows. You shouldn’t have to reach down or have your shoulders raised up to use your keyboard and mouse.
• For the ultimate ergonomic workspace, splurge on an adjustable stand up desk. This type of desk goes from the perfect sitting height to optimal standing position with the push of a button.

If your home office is carpeted, don’t forget a plastic mat to put under your chair. This will not only help your chair roll easier, it will also protect your carpet!

5. Noise Cancelling Headphones

You’ll definitely want to cut out the background noise with a pair of high-quality headphones. Whether you need to cancel out the sounds of your roommates or spouse who are also working remotely, your little ones, or even the sound of that nearby construction site, these are a work from home necessity. (And if you need something new to listen to at work, don’t forget to check out our work from home playlist!)

6. A Reusable Water Bottle or Travel Cup

If you have trouble remembering to drink water throughout the day, or you always seem to end up with a collection of empty glasses on your desk, get a reusable water bottle specifically to keep on your desk. Having a designated “work water bottle” will keep you hydrated and cut down on the number of other cups that accumulate on your desk.

7. The Right Scents

It’s no secret that scents have an impact on our minds. Whether you like to light a candle (which adds a bit of ambiance to your home office) or use an essential oil diffuser, there are a few scents that may help you focus and/or boost your productivity. Bright scents like citrus (particularly lemon), jasmine, peppermint, and lemongrass are all popular choices for office aromatherapy.

Make Your Home Office Brighter With Window World

If your home office could use more natural light, make Window World of Kansas City your first choice. With a variety of window styles to choose from, professional installation, and our best-in-class lifetime warranty, we make home improvement easier than you ever thought possible. Get started by requesting your free estimate!