While work-from-home situations have peaked, dropped off a little and stabilized, there are still many people currently working from home. According to a Gallup poll, 90% of people working from home hope to maintain some degree of remote work for the foreseeable future.
This means that the home office that you thought was a temporary arrangement has the potential of being a long-term or permanent workspace. If this is your situation, it’s time to invest in a few inexpensive upgrades to make your workflow more efficient and ergonomic.
Having the right tools is the key to productivity. When you upgrade your home office, you will have the same (or similar) tools as you have in your work office. This allows you to accomplish the same tasks you would in a work environment. A minor upgrade, such as getting a second monitor, can streamline your workflow and increase your productivity, making you a more valuable asset to your company.
If you spend 8 hours a day hunched over a laptop at the dining room table, you are going to develop problems, such as a sore back, an aching neck, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches and more. Making a few simple upgrades to your workspace can not only alleviate your symptoms but can sometimes get rid of your problems altogether.
If you are working from home, you will probably use a virtual private network, also known as a VPN. This means you will have an encrypted network that hides your IP address and protects your data and your online identity. Additionally, your company may require you to purchase other items, such as a paper shredder, to dispose of sensitive materials, and a fire extinguisher for safety.
Upgrading your home office isn’t just about the technology; it’s about making your entire environment more professional. If you are working in your basement and you are in a Zoom meeting, use a backdrop so it doesn’t look like you are in your basement. Also, adding soft items such as an area rug or curtains can help dampen environmental noise so your calls sound like they are coming from an office, not a basement.
If you like working from home and want to hold on to the position, the best way to do that is by completing your tasks from home with the same efficiency as you completed them in the office. Making affordable upgrades to your gear and environment may be all it takes to ensure your productivity is on par or exceeds expectations.
Admittedly, the initial cost of setting up a home office can be expensive. However, if you’ve been a work-from-home warrior for the past couple of years, most of the items you need to upgrade can be found for under $100. Additionally, you do not need a major overhaul, you can just purchase the items you need most and gradually move toward having the ideal home office.
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
This ergonomic keyboard has a split keyboard and domed shape to help reduce wrist strain. The wireless design helps eliminate cord clutter, and it works with Microsoft Windows RT 8.1, Windows RT 8, Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples
Logitech MX Ergo Plus Advanced Wireless Trackball Mouse
If you’d like to upgrade your mouse experience, this option from Logitech has a customizable tilt for maximum comfort. It also has four customizable buttons, a scroll wheel with tilt and a precision mode button.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples
Allsop Redmond Adjustable Laptop Stand
One of the biggest sources of back, shoulder and neck pain for the at-home worker comes from hunching over a laptop. This laptop stand can help you sit in a better position while helping reduce aches and pains that result from improper posture.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples
TRU RED 8-Sheet Micro-Cut Personal Shredder
If your job involves handling sensitive documents, you need a paper shredder. This affordable model cuts papers down to 4-millimeter by 12-millimeter particles, making it suitable for shredding financial, personal, and confidential information.
Where to buy: Sold by Staples
Fellowes Anti-Fatigue Wellness Floor Mat
You can use this durable floor mat while sitting or standing. It has beveled edges to help guard against tripping, and the soft material encourages subtle movement to prevent fatigue.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples
If your job requires you to take calls or attend meetings, the Plantronics Voyager Legend lets you do exactly that. This wireless headset offers hands-free talking and listening with advanced features such as acoustic echo cancellation, sidetone detection and more.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples
APC Back-UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector
To protect your equipment from power outages and power surges, your home office needs a backup battery with surge protection. This model has seven outlets and can provide up to 12 minutes of run time on a half load.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon, Home Depot and Staples
Selfila Video Conference Lighting Kit
This portable ring light quickly attaches to your laptop or monitor to give you a variety of brightness and color temperature settings, so you can look your best at the next Zoom meeting.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
