Ever since the pandemic started, many companies have transitioned to remote working to curb the spread of viruses. Besides that, some companies have also adopted a hybrid approach, where employees can choose to either work in the office or at home.
Although we are transitioning into the endemic, many companies are still using the remote working approach. Moreover, it’s not surprising considering it has many benefits, such as a work-life balance, cost-efficiency, and better productivity.
However, no matter what the arrangement is, it is essential to have a well-set-up working space, so you won’t get easily exhausted throughout the day. With that in mind, here is a list of gears you need for your home office.
1. Working Desk
The first item you need for working space is a robust and well-built desk with plenty of space to fit your working gears, such as the laptop, printer, and speaker. If you are an avid note-taker, ensure that the desk has space to write comfortably. Besides, if you prefer working with extra monitors, then you surely need a huge desk.
In addition, ensure that the desk is suitable for your height without compromising your body posture. For example, a standard desk would usually be around 29 inches from the floor to the top of the table. However, the ideal height would still depend on your height. So, make sure to figure out the desk height that works best for you before making a purchase.
2. Laptop
The next item needed for the home workspace is, of course, a laptop. It plays an important role when working remotely, especially when your work requires collaboration. When finding the best laptop, there are some criteria to consider, such as the size, weight, battery life, and functions.
Moreover, another thing to note is the laptop’s specifications. If you work as a designer or in any creative field, go for the i9 processor. However, if you are a corporate person, consider getting a laptop with i5 or i7 processors. Besides, if you prefer moving around, make sure that the laptop is highly portable. If you are used to sitting in one place, go for a laptop with 3.5lbs to 5.0lbs of weight. But if not, the best laptop should be around 2.0lbs.
3. Laptop Stand
One of the ways to avoid neck strain is using a laptop stand. This helps to put your laptop at the right height, so you do not need to look down at the screen. The best level is to make sure that the top of the screen is aligned to your eye level. Besides, a laptop stand can also make the work desk look more spacious, offer ergonomic comfort, and prevent overheating. In addition, most of them are versatile and portable, so you can take them anywhere you want aside from the home workspace.
4. Office Chair
If you are going to sit for 8 to 9 hours per day, make sure to invest in a good office chair that can support your back. Also, find a chair that supports your arm, so you won’t strain any muscles while working. Without good support, it can be detrimental to your health.
Another criterion to look for in an office chair is the one with armrests to stabilize your keyboard hand and mouse hand. If you prefer a laptop touchpad, the extra support will also make a huge difference. Additionally, you would also want to find a chair with a headrest suitable for long hours. One way to check is to sit on the chair and rest your head for 5 minutes. If you feel comfortable enough, then it should work fine for you.
5. Speakers
One thing about working remotely is that you will have many conference calls. That is why your home workspace will need a high-quality speaker to make it easier to listen to long virtual meetings. There are various speakers; one with USB connections work on both PCs and Macs, whereas Bluetooth speakers can be used on tablets and mobile phones too.
When looking out for a speaker, consider one with a sleek design and fits into your existing workspace without too many wires and cords. In addition, some speakers offer built-in voice assistance to aid your daily tasks, so you might want to consider that too.
6. Headphones
Having good headphones can offer a peaceful working environment. since background noise can be stressful, especially when you are in a meeting. So, headphones that offer noise-cancellation functions may be the best option. In addition, headphones with active noise cancellation can assist you in communicating professionally with your colleagues or clients during business calls. Besides, with good headphones, you will be able to focus more on a task as they isolate you from any distractions.
All in all, if you are going to fully transition to a remote working approach, make sure that your home workspace is well prepared so that you can give the best work quality. So, choose your gears wisely!