Must-have gadgets and accessories to make working from home more comfortable

Okay, so you're working from home now. You have the room, you have a bit of a budget, and you're thinking this might be a more permanent thing. Now what? Well, you're going to want to make sure you do it right the first time: desk, chair, the whole shebang. We'll show you have to create a comfortable and productive space.

A Girl Working from Home / Thought Catalog via Unsplash

We aren’t going to waste a lot of time extolling the virtues of working from home and telling you how great it is. Because it’s either going to be something you fall in love with, or it’s going to be something you find is the worst thing ever. As odd as it’s going to sound to a lot of people, yes, there are people who hate working from home because they find there are too many distractions, and they are less productive. But this isn’t for them. This is for you, you newly remote worker due to social distancing and coronavirus. You, who has now been given the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

You’re ready. You’ve thought about a home office for a while, and you have some extra funds for it because you’re not out blowing your wad on $15 cocktails and dinner after work every day. (Though, please continue to support your local, non-chain restaurants with take-out if you can. Small business owners, especially in the restaurant industry, need you more than ever right now.)

We’re going to go over a list of things today we feel are essential for your WFH lifestyle. One thing we aren’t covering is headphones since we’ve recently covered those. You can find great headphones here. Because you’re definitely going to need a pair of headphones.

You need the right desk for working at home

First and foremost, you need a desk. The couch or the kitchen table is going to seem great for a little while, but it’s not going to work in the long run. Trust us. And you’ll need to consider how you want to work or are used to working in your office already. Do you prefer to stand, sit, or do you want a combination? (Also keeping in mind that you have options for standing desk converters like this and this.)

Artifox Side Table with Storage

With the Artifox Side Table with Storage, you won’t get frustrated by cords hanging off every side. This storage table has dock storage on top to help you keep your phone, tablet, and other items organized. And all the cords plug in down below, so you still have easy access to them. This side table is perfect to use anywhere you like to charge or plug your devices in. 

Uhuru Design Frame Rise Sit-Stand Desk

No matter where you work, you need to be comfortable at your desk for hours on end. The Uhuru Design Frame Rise Sit-Stand Desk is your solution to back pain and unhealthily sitting all day long. Great for a home office setup, this standing desk comes in a smaller size than other Uhuru Design workstations. Made with a steel base, which comes in either black or white, the Frame Rise desk makes sure that you can put as much pressure on it as you like. 

Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Business Edition Standing Desk

Improve your health while you work with the Autonomous SmartDesk 2 Business Edition Standing Desk. This sit-stand desk makes it easier to be active while you work, boosting your mood and energy level so you can stay focused and be more efficient. Armed with high-quality parts and ultra-quiet dual motors, the desk produces less than 45dB of sound. On the front is an easy to use four-button interface, letting you create four custom height presets. With a touch of a button, the SmartDesk 2 will transform to the exact height you need.

Next up, you need the right desk chair for working from home

That chair is going to be super important. You might be used to your workplace buying chairs and bringing in ergonomic specialists, but you’re on your own now. Or maybe you’ve been stuck with a crappy chair and work and haven’t been able to get them to shell out for a good one. Well, now’s your chance to get just what you want and to protect your back now that you’re working from home. And if you can’t spring for a really good chair right now, we have this cushion and this cushion to help you out.

Autonomous Kinn Chair Full Range of Motion Office Chair

Experience total comfort at your desk when you have the Autonomous Kinn Chair. This full range of motion office chair is more than just a chair; it’s an experience. Designed to the finest detail, this ergonomic office chair looks to the human spine for inspiration. Much like the spine, the Kinn Chair offers structural support, freedom of movement, and balance. It’s also frameless but responsive, meaning it dynamically adjusts to you. Thanks to the conical spring seat platform and unique TPE materials, the Kinn Chair is the ideal balance of comfort and support.

Herman Miller Cosm Office Chair

Sit at your desk in absolute comfort with the Herman Miller Cosm Office Chair. Even though the chair looks like a piece of modern art, it is comfortable to sit in all day long. Featuring a sophisticated ergonomic design, the Cosm chair reacts to your body, posture, and movement the moment you sit on it. By responding to your exact shape, the chair supports your body completely. Likewise, the patented auto-harmonic tilt technology offers natural balance.

VARIChair Pro Standing Desk Chair

Stay active while you work with the VARIChair Pro Standing Desk Chair. Offering a dynamic range of movement, this seating solution helps you move while leaning or seated. Likewise, VARIChair Pro engages your core, legs, and back muscles. When seated, its low profile back allows you to maintain good posture. Similarly, the articulating pedestal provides a wider range of motion, enabling you to stretch or rock while you sit.

ProPedic Adjustable Office Chair

Experience optimal back support while sitting at your desk with the ProPedic Adjustable Office Chair. With more than 260 moving joints, pinions, and springs, this office chair adjusts to suit your preference. The chair comes with three different sections that correspond to your spine. The sections also increase in hardness, offering optimal lumbar support. In addition, you can easily adjust the seat height and back angle using the two handles. 

Be sure you have a good working from home monitor

Don’t underestimate this. And don’t think, “Oh, that’s too big.” There is no such thing. Once you have a huge monitor—or even dual monitors—there is no going back. Some people even use TVs as monitors for more options and an even larger screen. Just think about how many open documents you can view at one time.

HP S430C Curved Ultrawide Monitor 43.4″ Display

The HP S430C Curved Ultrawide Monitor 43.4″ Display completely bypasses the idea that two of something is better than one. Instead, this computer monitor shows that one display might just be better than two. Flipping the tradition of controlling two monitors with one computer, the HP S430C allows you to control two computers with one monitor. This is possible through a new technology called HP Device Bridge18. Using just one keyboard and mouse, you’ll be able to edit projects on two computers, even dragging and dropping between them.

HP EliteDisplay S340c Curved Monitor

You probably work with people in another office, another state, or another country even though you’re working from home. With the HP EliteDisplay S340c Curved Monitor, that collaboration and remote work are easier than ever. Certified with Skype for Business, this curved display gives you 34 inches of prime screen use. In fact, with minimal edges, this 34″ monitor makes the most of all the space it has. Ideal for Skype use, this 34-inch monitor has a pop-up webcam along with impressive sound and video quality.

Samsung Minimal Space Monitor

Make the most out of your workspace with the Samsung Minimal Space Monitor. Designed to keep your desk looking its best, this device takes up practically no space and is free of messy cables. Additionally, the Space Monitor improves work efficiency by offering more desk space. When you aren’t using it, the monitor simply stores flat against the wall. The Samsung Space Monitor also rotates 360 degrees, allowing you to view it from anywhere in the room.

Working from home requires the right desk accessories

Don’t underestimate the importance of the right desk gadgets. A neater desk area is going to help you focus and be more productive. And when you know right where everything is, you won’t be scrambling around trying to find it and wasting time. Plus, a clean, organized, and comfortable desktop just tends to make you feel better.

Power Hub4 Adaptive Fast Charging Station

The Power Hub4 Adaptive Fast Charging Station is the device you didn’t know you needed. This charging station can get your phone up to 50% battery in just thirty minutes. It’s adaptive, which means it determines which device it’s charging and emits the ideal amount of power to charge it quickly. Plus, it can even charge up to four devices at once. Instead of trying to find a free outlet, this high-speed charging station makes a single outlet four times as useful.

Logitech Ergo K860 Ergonomic Keyboard

With the Logitech Ergo K860 Ergonomic Keyboard, you won’t feel strained after a long day at the computer anymore. This keyboard features a split design to improve your posture and provide better support. With a curved body, the Ergo K860 places your forearms in a more natural position. For your wrists, a palm lift feature with three tilts will boost your hand into a more natural position, depending on your office setup. And because it has a full-size keyboard, the Ergo K860 won’t slow you down at all. In fact, it will help you make the most out of your time at your desk.

Baseus Magnetic Cable Organizer

Tired of having your cables plummeting into the abyss behind your desk? Use the Baseus Magnetic Cable Organizer to keep them right where you need them. Whenever you unplug your laptop, you take the risk of having your charging cable slide right off your desk. If you’re lucky, it’ll go to the side. If you’re unlucky, it’ll disappear forever. This product features three magnetic clips that attach to your cables. 

Yamazaki Tower Deskbar Office Organizer

Keep your workspace nice and tidy with the Yamazaki Tower Deskbar Office Organizer. Designed in Japan, this desk organizer provides a minimal way to stay organized. Because it’s made of wood and steel, Tower Deskbar is a sleek, stylish addition to your workplace. Additionally, this organization station has two levels, giving you multiple ways to store your devices and everyday carry items.

Last but not least, office fitness ideas for working at home

It’s really easy to get lazy when you’re working from home. (Trust me, I’ve been fighting it for ten years now.) But there are some easy ways to remind yourself to actually get up and move. Walking desks are hugely helpful, and so are fitness watches. Without that nudge to let you know to get up, you’re apt to sit and sit and sit without getting up. And that puts a strain on your body and your health.

Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch

The Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch is so much more than an activity tracker. This smartwatch has built-in Amazon Alexa, so you’ll stay connected to everything you need. And this health smartwatch displays and coaches you through workouts and uses GPS to monitor your distance and pace on hikes or runs. Additionally, you can see how you’re performing when you swim or do aerobics. And you can track your steps, distance, and calories burned throughout the day. If you’re interested in how you’re doing overall, this watch will even monitor—and score!—your sleep.

WalkingPad Foldable Exercise Device

Enjoy an active lifestyle in any space with the WalkingPad Foldable Exercise Device. This piece of equipment features a simple and smart design, allowing you to use it practically anywhere. Thanks to its innovative double folding frame, WalkingPad easily fits in your home or office so you can stay healthy and fit. The aluminum alloy is strong yet lightweight, so you can easily move and store it. Plus, WalkingPad comes with two wheels underneath, making it easy to move around.

Cubii Jr. Adjustable Under-Desk Elliptical

Incorporate exercise into your workspace with the Cubii Jr. Adjustable Under-Desk Elliptical. This device comes with a built-in display monitor, making it easy to track distance, calories, RPM, and strides. Aside from counting calories, Cubii Jr. engages different muscle groups and improves your posture. Likewise, it targets your core muscles, hamstrings, calves, glutes, quads, and hip flexors. Featuring a patented ergonomic design, Cubii Jr. enables you to pedal at any time of day while working on other tasks.

We have enough here to get you started, and some of the basics you’ll need. As you read through this list, some of these ideas might spark other ideas for you. And as you’re working from home for a longer period of time, you’ll eventually discover things you want to add or things you thought you would need but don’t serve a purpose for your individual workstyle. Have you already started setting up your personal workspace? Let us know in the comments.

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