I’ve been hybrid working for the last few years now. Although sometimes I would like a new job, I love the freedom of hybrid working and would not give it up easily. The balance of a few days in a noisy office and then peace and quiet at home is priceless to me, plus I have my dog for company at home. Working from home can be highly productive if your space is set up right. From office chairs to good lighting, here are my top eight must-haves for a successful home working environment:
Ergonomic Workspace
A comfortable desk and office chair are essential for maintaining good posture and preventing strain. It’s so important to invest in home office chairs, and both my husband and I ensure we have decent chairs so we are comfortable and our backs are supported. Your setup should also allow you to sit with your feet flat, and your screen at eye level.
High-Speed Internet
Reliable, fast internet is crucial for video calls, file sharing, and cloud-based work. I have to admit my VPN is a little flaky at home which can be so frustrating when I’m trying to connect to the office. Ensure your connection can handle bandwidth-heavy activities like conferencing or streaming which are such a big part of enabling us to work from home.
Fresh Air
I am a huge fan of fresh air and love to throw the back door open when working from home. A constant supply of fresh air keeps the house smelling fresh and also keeps me on my toes, especially in that post-lunch lull. Our office has air conditioning. This can be great in the summer months, keeping the temperature cool enough to work in, but can be a real bone of contention amongst my colleagues. There is always someone who is too hot or too cold, and there are so many conversations about whether the air conditioning can be turned up or down throughout the day. I’ve started keeping a huge scarf in my desk drawer which I can throw over my shoulders in case the air conditioning is turned up too high! It is so much nicer to be at home where you can control the temperature.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
These are great for staying focused, particularly if you’re working in a noisy environment or need to take frequent video calls. It can be hard concentrating when the kids are home during the holidays and these are great for keeping me focused.
Proper Lighting
Good lighting is essential for both comfort and productivity. Natural light is ideal, but a well-placed desk lamp can reduce eye strain and create a focused work atmosphere. I’m fortunate that my desk is near French doors so I can look out onto my garden and get plenty of natural light.
House Plants
You can never have enough house plants and this is something I am happy to spend money on. I love trawling a Sunday market to add a new plant to my collection, and have a love of quirky air plants. There has been research into the physical and psychological benefits of house plants in the home which include improving our mood and reducing our stress levels.
Organised Work Area
Keep your desk clutter-free with organisers for paperwork, supplies, and cables. A clean workspace improves mental clarity and boosts productivity. My office has a tidy desk policy and we are not allowed to leave anything on our desk at the end of the day. Thankfully my home office rules are the total opposite, and I often find myself shifting piles of paperwork and cables so I can have some space to work. I probably should try and tidy up my space a little but we only have a small space to squeeze a desk in so there isn’t much space left for anything else.
Fresh water
Having seen the state of the communal kitchen and kettle in our office I am more than happy to bring in a re-useable bottle. A water station was recently installed which dispenses both still and sparkling water, and you can also add flavours! It makes it so much easier to stay hydrated during the day. At home I am near the kitchen so I can drink tea in my favourite mug all day long.
What do you think of my 8 must haves for working from home? I would probably add a few other nice-to-haves, such as a standing desk to help improve my posture, a laptop stand (again to help improve my posture, and some kind of charging station to minimise all the cables I have coming out of my laptop. What would you add to the list of essentials for working from home?
