These 10 Work-From-Home Essentials Will Help You Boost Productivity

One common misconception about working from home: Just because you’re performing your duties from your own space, productivity will follow right away. But that couldn’t be farther from reality for many home-based Filipino workers. When you live with other people or in a place with limited functionality, it can only add more pressure as opposed to merely using an assigned area or station at an office.

This is why one of the most important requirements of remote working is having the right space. Something you only answer by investing in the best work-from-home essentials that you can find.

What Does Having the Right Space Mean?

If you’re working from an office, oftentimes you already have a designated spot. A cubicle, a station, your own room, or even a seat at a shared table, as with many modern workplaces. But regardless, you tend to work with what you’re given and somehow make it your own.

It’s the same thing with working from home. Yes, you might have the luxury of doing your job in a space you call home. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be that easy. First and foremost, you’ll need a stable workplace that comprises a conducive environment for working and the proper digital tools that make you feel like you’re still in a typical office. This is most crucial as one of many studies on work from home already proved that how you do it can affect your job performance and productivity.

What Do I Need for My Work-From-Home Space?

As mentioned, consider both the surrounding and actual items when you think of creating your setup. This will guarantee that you have an all-around good setup to make you a successful home-based employee.

Simple Work-From-Home Set-up

1. Agree on a space

Not all homes are built the same. If you live in a house where you have your own private room to stay in, then good for you. But what if you live in a studio-type apartment or a house where you share a room with other people? Certainly, you don’t need to move out right away or have a new room built from scratch. Instead, come up with an agreement with your housemates. Decide on space, a schedule, and even a set of rules to avoid distractions. 

2. Get a nice desk setup

While working from home does have the perk of giving you maximum flexibility in how you wish to work (e.g. lying in bed with your laptop), it’s still a good idea to invest in a stable desk where you can safely place your computer. However, a good desk is nothing without a functioning seat and other accessories to match it. For this, definitely consider must-haves like the folllowing:

• Ergonomic chair
• Keyboard cleaner
• Artificial lights. 

They not only get the job done but also make sure you and your device are in their best shape.

3. Include other work furniture

If your budget permits, you can also look into other furniture that can help you make the most of your work-from-home space. For example, you can have a desk organizer to keep your workspace clutter-free. A rising desk, which has been found to have tangible health benefits. Or a second chair where you can sit when having a break to drink coffee or read a book. 

4. Consider windows

It’s all about preference. But when you can, choose a space where you’re closer to the window or even facing it. A study done at University College London, for example, revealed that those who work next to a window have better concentration and productivity. It’s also true that having access to natural light helps keep conditions like eye strain and headaches to a minimum.

5. Add plants and other decors

By now, the benefits of having plants at home are crystal clear. But in terms of their use in home offices, plants (particularly low maintenance ones) are commonly known to help improve work productivity and creativity. If you’re not into plants, however, there are still plenty of decor options that can do the same. For example, a simple wall gallery of your favorite photos can really boost that workspiration!

The tools

6. Install a VPN

Without a doubt, sending employees home to work isn’t the best idea in terms of data security for a company. Which is why more than fancy remote work essentials, it’s important to take into account the best VPN or virtual private network to use. That way, you can access your company’s resources securely from home, and on days when you decide to take your work in public.

7. Download communication apps

Most companies make use of their own communication applications they deem most convenient for communicating with their employees. But even if they do, it’ll come in handy to keep backups ready just in case your office tools become suddenly unavailable. Some tools to check out are messaging applications like Slack and of course, WhatsApp and Viber.

8. Invest in a computer set

While some employers can afford to provide their employees the tools to work from home, including a computer set, others have yet to make it happen. If you can relate more to the latter, then use this opportunity to invest in a high-quality laptop or desktop. Thankfully, it’s now easy to choose the best home-based device with the wealth of options made for this very purpose.

9. Have a camera and earphones ready

All jobs will most likely require a communication application, but not a camera or earphones. For one, you could have landed a job that only requires you to submit outputs without talking to your colleagues. Still, it’s best to keep these tools ready. If your laptop or computer lacks a good quality camera or one at all, get a webcam or one of those best smartphones with a camera today. For earphones, needless to say, noise-reduction units tend to be the best!

10. A “free” item

Some people take a break from work by going on a walk, having a bite, or even taking a nap. Meanwhile, others turn to objects that they can conveniently reach and don’t require added energy to use. These can be a second laptop where you can quickly watch an episode of your favorite TV show, a go-to book, a fun board game, or a handy journal. The list can go on depending on your interests.

Also read: 10 Work-From-Home Essentials Will Help You Boost Productivity

Invest In Your Work From Home Essentials

Nothing beats getting to work from your own space while having all the resources you need to do it successfully. With all these work-from-home essentials laid out, the most important thing to remember is this — it all comes down to necessity. 

When you’ve acquired all the things that you actually need for your personal workspace, followed by what you want, you’ll soon realize that remote working can be fun as well as convenient.

Prep your personal workspace and #SEEKBetter!

Need more tips on how to effectively work from home? Go to Career Advice. To start looking for the best home-based jobs for your experience, download the JobStreet app on Google Play or App Store. Finish up by creating or updating your JobStreet profile.