When the pandemic first began, most people were trying to make do with the conditions they had to work with. No one was thinking that working from home (WFH) would be a long-term situation.
Now, nearly two years later, people are beginning to realize that investing in a home office pays off in productivity, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
In 2020 hybrid and remote work models became the new normal in a post-pandemic world.
A survey was taken of the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on employees and their level of productivity in 2021. Of the respondents to the survey, 57% state they find themselves to be more productive. However, this does require that you have the right equipment and accessories for your home office set-up.
The Ideal Home Office to WFH Long Term
If you are one of the 5 million employees working from home at least part of the time, chances are you're looking for some home office set-up ideas. Here are some items you will want to include in your ideal home office:
Monitor Arms
For a more comfortable and ergonomic arrangement, you'll want a proper monitor height for your desktop set-up. Monitor arms place your computer monitors at the ideal eye level. Your monitors should be set up so you can look straight ahead at them when sitting or standing.
Your eyes should meet the display at around 30% from the top of the monitor. A monitor with an adjustable height setting is a good choice. However, that is not as essential when using monitor arms.
Universal Docking Stations
If you use a laptop along with your desktop computer, opt for a universal docking station. These docking stations allow you to plug into the computer without disturbing any of the computer connections.
Docking stations also provide additional ports. That way, you won't have to search for additional ports when you need to connect other devices like a smartphone, tablet, or wireless accessory. They can preserve the lifespan of the ports on your laptop.
Keyboards
When setting up your home office, you'll want to make sure that you have the most comfortable keyboard that fits your hands and available desk space.
You may choose an ergonomic keyboard that curves for increased comfort. Wireless options save you from the mess of dealing with cables that can clutter your desk.
Whichever keyboard you buy, consider including wrist pads for increased comfort. They also reduce the likelihood of repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel.
A Comfortable Mouse
Just like a keyboard, you will want to select a comfortable mouse. You may also opt for a trackball or touchpad. You can choose between a wired or wireless option. Again, consider the space you have on your desk when purchasing a mouse, and get one that you find comfortable.
Footrests
For the ideal ergonomic set-up, consider incorporating a footrest in your home office. Proper foot and back support reduce the chances of injury, supports posture, and improves your comfort and wellbeing.
You can also get a backrest, memory foam seat cushion, and anything else that aids in your comfort. You may even want to add an air purifier to improve indoor air quality.
Beyond the Tech Gear: Other Home Office Set-Up Ideas
Besides all the latest tech accessories, you will want to include of few other items in your WFH office set-up. If you are working in an environment where others will be working or playing, you may want to consider purchasing a headset.
Also, invest in surge protectors and an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) unit. That way, your computer equipment isn't damaged during a storm.
Other details to consider include:
Sufficient lighting
Poor lighting places unnecessary stress on your eyes. Make sure that your WFH office has enough lighting so that you do not cause yourself eye strain, headaches, or long-term vision problems. Invest in a desk lamp and consider replacing your fluorescent and iridescent light bulbs with LED lights.
Comfortable chair
Sitting in the wrong chair for prolonged periods can also cause long-term issues. Dining room chairs, stools, and some standard desk chairs are not appropriate for sitting for extended periods. Get an ergonomic chair that promotes proper posture and provides the support you need.
High-speed internet
You will need a high-speed internet connection of at least 50 Mbps to remain productive and eliminate wasting time waiting for file downloads or buffering. If you are streaming video calls or transferring large files, you will want to ensure your internet connection can handle the bandwidth. Also, consider who else may be using the internet in your household when you determine the amount of bandwidth you will need.
Portable office accessories
One of the benefits of remote work schedules is that you don’t always have to stay at home to work. You can post up at your favorite coffee shop, café, snack bar, or even a park. For that, you will need portable office accessories like wireless mice and keyboards, locking solutions, and (of course) a laptop bag or case to carry it all in.
Dedicated Workspace
Most people cannot afford to dedicate an entire room to a home office set-up. If you don't have an extra room in your house, you can set up your office in an area of the home where you can work quietly and uninterrupted. Let others in the household know your working hours and request not to be disturbed during those times.
Kensington Can Help You Set Up a Home Office for the Long Term
You may not have been prepared when the pandemic hit. You probably scrambled to put together a home office with the bare minimum of supplies.
Now that it looks like remote and hybrid work models are here to stay, it's time to upgrade and invest in a home office suitable for a long-term WFH situation.
At Kensington, we have the tech accessories to get your home office dialed in to keep you productive and feeling more comfortable working at home.
Are you unsure of what you need to set up the ideal WFH home office? Contact us here at Kensington. One of our tech specialists can help you get everything you need.