7 Tips for Choosing the Equipment for Your Home Office

Remote work is becoming more and more popular. Even before the pandemic of 2020, many companies started building remote and flexible work teams.

Working from home means you can avoid commuting. You will also be free to wear the most comfortable clothing while you’re working away. However, to enhance productivity, you need to have the right conditions and equipment.

Read the following tips to discover how to select the best equipment for your home office.

Invest in a Computer with Two Monitors

A computer is an absolute necessity in our knowledge-based work environment. If you only have a laptop, you should consider investing in a desktop computer. If this is financially limiting, you should at least be looking at a monitor upgrade/addition.

Choose a desktop with the highest specifications you can afford within your budget. Then add a second monitor.

Using a dual-monitor setup boosts productivity. The second screen makes tasks like researching, writing, coding, and designing easier and faster.

Instead of opening and closing different windows on a single screen, your second monitor will keep those relevant windows open permanently. To enhance your efficiency, buy the same type of monitor that came with your desktop.

2. Choose a Suitable Printer

Why do I need a printer in this age of sustainable low-carbon footprint operation?  Well, some documents still need to be printed. Reading long reports on paper will reduce eye strain and enhance note-taking.

If you have an important report that you need to make notes and changes on, a printed report can be much easier to handle. While some pdf viewers allow you to make annotations, the highlighting does not always remain in place when the file is transferred to the recipient.

Some of the factors to consider when choosing a printer include:

Task requirements: If you need to do a lot of scanning, copying, and faxing, opt for an all-in-one multifunction printer.

Image printing: Decide whether you need an inkjet or colour laser printer. Laser printers are ideal when you need to use your printed document(s) for low-volume print advertising. They, however, cost a lot more to maintain.

Space constraints: Look out for a more compact design if you have limited space in your home office.

3. Invest in a High-Speed Internet Connection

If you are doing live video streaming or video conferencing, you can’t make do with a slow connection. Switch to another internet provider and install a modern WiFi router in your home office if you don’t have one.

Set up your WiFi router on a high shelf where it can send/receive better signals. Keep it away from appliances that can block or disrupt the signal.

You can use a speed testing service like Speedtest.net to evaluate your internet speed. Then adjust the position of your router until you get an optimum speed.

4. Select a Comfortable Chair

You need all the comfort and stability you can get from a chair because you will spend several hours in it daily. Investing in an ergonomically designed chair with adjustable height and backrest can make a significant difference in your productivity and posture.

When choosing a chair, pay close attention to the arm, back, and thigh support. If possible, go and test the chair in person instead of buying it online.

5. Get a Standing Desk

Sitting down all day can be harmful to your health. Without standing on your feet and moving regularly, blood circulation and digestive health can be adversely affected.

It is better to combine sitting and standing during your productive hours. Consider getting a standing desk or designing one that fits your height perfectly. Most standing desks, however, have adjustable height and the high-end versions are convertible.

You can convert them into traditional sit-down desks when you need to. Remember that standing up enhances productivity on mental tasks that require focus, and it boosts cardiovascular health.

6. Use Cord and Cable Clamps

Unless all your devices use wireless data transfer and wireless power supply, you will have cables in your home office. Without planning how to manage these cables, they can become tangled and an unsightly mess.

Managing them effectively makes your home office more visually appealing. All you need are some zip ties and clamps. You can transform your workspace by tying some cables together and clamping others to the legs of your work table.

7. Place Green Plants Strategically

The power of plants shouldn’t be ignored, be it for your home or your home office. These plants will boost your mood and reduce stress.

Not all green plants will enhance your office space though. But you can get the best out of plants that are low-maintenance and have air-purifying qualities. You should consider any of the following: dracaena, Boston fern, ficus, or spider plant.

Those are some of the essential items you should consider when equipping your home office. If you plan to receive clients frequently, you will need to invest in other types of furniture and provide an adequate amount of light and ventilation so your guests will feel as comfortable as they would be in any other professional environment.