13 Amazing Ideas to Upgrade your Home Office if you Work Remotely
6 minutes | Word Count: 1152Who wouldn’t like to work from a home office? You don’t have to dress up, you can take an extra nap whenever you want, and nobody minds you leaving early. Now the question arise here that how can you actually become inspired to get work done in such cozy conditions?
While it may be easy to flop down on the couch in your sweatpants and decide it’s your new office, curating the space you work from is essential to your productivity and state of mind. As a remote worker, taking the time to thoughtfully choose the right setup is a worthy investment of your time.
The only problem is that it’s not easy to stay focused and inspired amidst all the coziness. If you want to be productive, you need to convert your comfort-focused home into a work-focused remote office. It’s possible but requires some thoughtful planning.
13 Home Office Upgrades You Need If You Work Remotely
To make your life easier, we’ve put together a list of 13 easy upgrades to your home office design. These improvements help you to get the work done and enjoy the process. Sounds good? Let’s get started.
Idea #1. Charging It All
We’ll kick our list off with devices that have little to do with your home office decor: chargers. A well-functioning home office runs on numerous devices, from laptops to smartphones to smartwatches. To keep you connected at all times, you need to keep the batteries fueled. Use a charging station with multiple ports for that.
Idea #2. External Monitor Will Change Your (Work) Life
Most of us have numerous tabs open on our computers when we work. But clicking from one site to another is not the most productive way to work. Here’s where the second monitor comes in. Setting up dual monitors with bright displays and well-readable screens will increase your productivity and save time on daily assignments.
Idea #3. A fast computer to Cut off Loading Time
If your computer is over five years old, you should consider upgrading it to a new one. You will be amazed at how much faster the pages load on a fresh new MacBook. The more advanced keyboard on a new computer can make your fingers quicker than ever before, making you complete tasks with unprecedented speed.
Idea #4. Get a WIFI Router You Can Depend on
The thing you’d never want to face when working at a home office is losing the internet connection, especially when you’re in the middle of a video conference. So, make sure your router is reliable and the absolute best option for your money. Here’s a hint: the best routers are not always the most expensive ones. Look at customer reviews to determine the best match for your needs.
Idea #5. Whiteboard for Brainstorming
Look, you shouldn’t be limited to only the documents on your monitor and keyboard, especially when handling creative tasks. Take a look at your home office layout and see if you can find a place to install a whiteboard. The big white surface is perfect for conceptualizing ideas, writing out outlines, putting down goals, etc. Try it out and see your productivity soar.
Idea #6. A Yoga Mat for Some Stretching
If you’re working behind a computer all day long, your back is bound to get soar at some point. You can counteract this by taking a little break every hour and stretch your muscles on a yoga mat. Although taking a yoga class to learn specific yoga postures would be beneficial, you can also lay on the yoga mat for some simple back stretches.
Or even better: get a good handheld massager and enjoy 15 minutes of massage every time you feel your back tensing up. Then lie down on the yoga mat until you feel completely recharged. You’d be surprised at how many great ideas can pop into your head during these minutes of relaxation.
Idea #7. Standing Desk
If you’re looking for a new desk for your home office, we encourage you to go with the standing desk. It’s a desk much higher than a regular one, and you work behind it standing up. You may wonder why this is good? The thing is that prolonged sitting can cause several health concerns like stiffness in the back, weight gain, and even diabetes. Standing up for a portion of the day improves your health.
Idea #8. Ergonomic Keyboard
Have you heard of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? It’s a nasty condition that causes burning sensations in your fingers. And guess what? Wrist strain from an intense work session can contribute to its development. An ergonomic keyboard that supports your wrists and keeps the fingers at the right angle can increase your comfort and safety tenfold.
Idea #9. Plants to Your Home Office!
Plants are so much more than just decorations that bring extra color to your room. Large green leaves also filter the air and boost your mood. And get this: studies have shown that the therapeutic presence of plants increases productivity up to 15%.
Idea #10. Use a Smart Assistant
If you’ve got a large number of calls and video meetings lined up, it’s not easy to remember them all. To help you manage a stressful day, use smart assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon’s Alexa. You can even set up a smart speaker and talk to your digital assistant directly to make a to-do list, set up calls and appointments, etc.
Idea #11. Get a Softer Desk Lamp
A soft desk lamp creates a pleasant working environment without stressing you out with too much harsh light. A simple desk lamp with a warm led bulb is enough to provide an additional light source to your screen. The cozy atmosphere works super well for handling more creative tasks.
Idea #12. Upgrade Your Speakers
There’s nothing that gets you energized as well as your favorite tunes. Listening to music while working is a great way to boost productivity and complete tasks faster than you thought was possible. A trustworthy Bluetooth speaker is all you need to fill your home office with some mood-boosting melodies.
Idea #13. Ergonomic Office Chair
Lastly, every home office needs an ergonomic office chair. The back of your couch or a simple kitchen chair is far from giving maximum support to your lumbar during long work hours. Invest in a quality chair, and you can stay focused for a whole day without any annoying pains.
Conclusion
Besides being an efficient space to get things done, your home office should be a representation of who you are. Make it your own and add some personality to liven it up. So, these were our 13 home office organization ideas. Getting any of the listed items will boost your productivity and help you stay focused and inspired in the sometimes too comfortable home environment. And isn’t that what you want?
What is your home office setup? Share your tips and tricks on how to stay productive at home in the comments.