Since we spend 40+ hours at work, making a comfortable work-from-home station is essential. Here, I’ll run through some work-from-home essentials and I’ll link to the Amazon page for a recommended product so that you can spruce up your workstation and make your work day a little more comfortable!
Some links here will be Amazon affiliate links, but feel free to go direct to find the product if you prefer.
Laptop Stand
Investing in a good and stable laptop stand should be a top priority. I worked without a laptop stand for a good few years and didn’t know what I was missing until I used one. They’re great for improving posture, but overall I’ve found that using a laptop stand positions you on the screen much better when on Zoom calls.
There are tons of laptop stands out there on the market, so it can be a bit difficult to know which one to go for if you just start looking. There are also a ton that will fall apart once you start using them..so here are two that I know are tried and tested!
Dragonfly Laptop Stand
The Dragonfly Laptop Stand is made of bamboo and comes with a nice pouch so that you can carry it anywhere. It’s super portable and isn’t as large and inconvenient as others are to use in a coffee shop or coworking space.
The Dragonfly Stand is also environmentally friendly since Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials out there. As Dragonfly states on its website; “It’s naturally antibacterial, water resistant and remarkably strong. Our protective sleeve is felt made from recycled plastic.” It’s super stylish and definitely worth a look if you’re after a simple, lightweight laptop stand.
Besign LS03
There are a few different versions of this laptop stand which you can see on Amazon, and they all seem fairly similar. They may be from the same factory under different brand names so be sure to look around on Amazon for the best deal for the same specs. I’ve seen this particular one in use and it’s very sturdy and very stable when used.
The Besign stand is aluminium and it suits most laptops between sizes 10”-15,6′. You also have rubber non-slip pads on both supports so your laptop is always secure. This stand is particularly good for air circulation, too, so if you’re working long hours you don’t need to worry about your laptop overheating due to no air circulation!
Headphones
Headphones are often an overlooked purchase when it comes to levelling up your workstation. A lot of people in the tech world are known to use Airpods, but if you need to spend quite a lot of time in meetings, they’re not the most comfortable for the price.
I’ve done some research and found a great set of headphones that come highly recommended across the web; Sony WH-1000XM5
With a microphone included, these headphones are optimised for Google Home and Amazon Alexa – so you can really level up your efficiency, plus they’re noise cancelling so they’re ready to use anywhere.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 have a 30-hour charge life, so if you’re travelling or just don’t want to mess around constantly charging your headphones, these are definitely worth a look.
Under Desk Footrest
I wouldn’t necessarily consider an under desk footrest an essential for a home office, but it does have some huge benefits and it’s worth considering! From promoting good blood circulation & better posture to supporting the proper use of other ergonomic office furniture, there are enough reasons to make an under desk footrest worth a look.
The Huanuo under desk footrest promises all of the above benefits and more. It has an adjustable height of 11,94 cm to 13,97 cm and an angle switch of 45° to -45° to suit your needs.
Monitor (or second screen)
Second monitors have been used by remote workers for years, helping with productivity and to keep an eye on multiple systems at once. If you’re a developer, you already understand the importance of a second screen.
If you’re after a serious monitor, the Samsung Odyssey G7 is a good bet. It looks stylish in the office and it is packed with decent features.
The curved screen monitor is 32 inches and is an excellent choice for both work and gaming. The curve radius is 1000mm, a fairly extreme curve! The curve is said to make working on the monitor easy on the eye, and it’s got an excellent colour display of 85% DCI-P3 coverage. You can see the Samsung Odyssey G7 on the Samsung website or right here on Amazon.
Conclusion
Aside from the equipment you need to actually work from home, you’ll want to deck your office out with some nice office furniture and plants! You spend a lot of time in your home office, so making it comfortable and a place you want to spend your time will make your days far more relaxing.
Investing in good office equipment can really make a difference, but you don’t have to spend a fortune. You can find tons of stuff on local second-hand websites in your area, but if you’re looking for items to be delivered, check out the Amazon home office category for some ideas on fixing up your office to your taste!
Feature Photo by Grovemade on Unsplash
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