Whether you’re working from home, you’re self-employed, or you’re dabbling into the world of freelancing, everyone needs a dedicated space to work, study and keep their life well-managed – and some home office essentials too of course.
As you already know, I do a lot of freelancing, and having a dedicated space to work has been an absolute lifesaver since moving into my first home. I love having my own little space and it’s made me all the more determined to move towards working from home/online remotely one day!
But how can you make your home office a productive and valuable part of your home? Here we’ll take a look at the home office essentials you shouldn’t be without.
Read more: Three tips for running a successful side hustle in 2021
PRINTING SUPPLIES
The humble printer. From those big corporate buildings to the smallest of home-setups, it’s an essential part of any office space. Yet so many of us neglect it! And most of the time, it’s not until we go to print an important document do we realise that we haven’t replaced the printer ink in some time.
Thankfully, printer inks aren’t as expensive as you might think, and the ones you specifically need for your printer are easier to obtain than you might assume. Check out these HP printer cartridges here.
Whether you’re printing off documents for your work records, putting together crafty bits for your desk or printing off your latest to-do list, make sure you have plenty of ink and paper supplies at the ready.
And if you’re an actual adult that’s suddenly realized you don’t own a printer? Go out and get one. Trust me. There’s nothing worse than needing something printed or signed and realizing you have no way to get a copy, especially in lockdown!
AN ERGONOMIC CHAIR
If you’re sitting on a stool, cross-legged on your bed or even on the sofa, then you need to invest in an ergonomic chair as soon as possible. Sitting for prolonged periods is bad for your posture and your health overall.
I realized this really recently when my boyfriend and I both had to self-isolate and spent a lot of time gaming. I couldn’t sit at my desk for more than two hours without getting back pains.
Previously, we had those popular stylish white chairs (you know the ones everyone has!), which I still love, but were not great for sitting at a desk all day. They’ve swiftly been put away in the conservatory to use with our dining room table instead and have been replaced by proper office/desk chairs. I can’t believe how much difference a proper chair has made.
Ergonomic chairs support your body in all the right places, ensuring the correct posture and support for pain points across your body. The more comfortable you are, the more productive you’ll be and the less likely you are to have health complaints in the future.
A LAPTOP STAND
Hunching over your laptop isn’t a good look – your neck, back and even your eyes will soon feel the strain. A good laptop stand allows you to have your device at the right level, improving your posture and ensuring comfort. A laptop stand will also help airflow around your device, reducing the risk of it overheating.
A SECOND MONITOR
If you’re working from home, create a lot of design work or even spend a lot of time gaming, having a second monitor connected to your laptop will change the way you work forever. Increased efficiency allows you to move from one task to another effortlessly.
It’s also useful for when you’re working on mundane tasks and want something to watch in the background that isn’t too distracting. My picks are always New Girl, The Office US and The Vampire Diaries. On second thoughts, The Vampire Diaries is only a good pick if you can avoid getting distracted by Ian Somerhalder. It’s not easy..!
NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES
If your office is near an area of heavy household traffic, or you’re struggling to concentrate with the others in the background, then noise-cancelling headphones are a must.
This simple, yet effective addition to your office space will help you focus on your daily tasks, whether you want to listen to your favourite playlist or the radio. They’ll help you concentrate and maintain a high level of productivity.
AND FINALLY: A SUPPLY OF CAFFEINE + SNACKS
We all need a little caffeine boost throughout the day and sometimes, tea just won’t cut it. Most people would benefit from a coffee machine, or, if you’re like me, some emergency Red Bull’s always in the fridge! The sugar-free kind, mind. Gotta be healthy!. Oh and snacks. You always need snacks.
What are the home office essentials you can’t live without when working from home? Or what are your must-have snacks? Comment below with your answer!
Oh, and if you’re interested in my freelance life, I actually shared a post about my experiences – and my future plans – over at Budget Travel Babes recently!
*Please note, this is a collaborative post but all views and opinions are entirely my own.
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