I’d rather not start another article talking about the impacts of COVID-19, but let’s be honest. That’s where this starts for most of us.
In 2019, just 7 percent of Utahns worked from home. According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, that number rocketed to 20 percent by 2021. Today, research by Hostinger finds that 37.3 percent of Utah’s working population has spent at least one day working remotely in the last seven days.
If you were in the lucky 7 percent with a remote job before the pandemic, you likely didn’t experience the shock and scramble of creating a home office. For me, there was the couch or kitchen table — possibly the carpet if my back needed it. After a few months, I felt distracted, sluggish and even wistful at home.
It was time for an investment. My journey began on Pinterest, where “cozy gamer” office aesthetics caught my attention. The dreamy rooms were realistically out of reach, but they provided a blueprint of basic items that every home office needs:
1. The chair
The couch is comfy but lacks all support. You need stability to last eight hours with enough cushion for your butt to still exist when five o’clock hits. The AndaSeat Kaiser 4 Series Premium Gaming Chair is built for those longer-than-eight-hour days and then some.
If a dedicated work chair is out of the budget, Jason Blake, director of customer experience and digital operations at the Deseret News, recommends the Purple Double Seat Cushion to upgrade any seat into one ready for work.
2. The desktop
A folding table can do the job: flat and functional. But sitting less can literally lengthen your life. Change up your view with a standing desk.
Quinn Denter, senior director of operations at Deseret Digital Media, says, “Standing desks are an absolute gamechanger for working from home.” He recommends L-shaped desks that allow for easy use of multiple monitors.
3. The walking pad
Around 11 o’clock every day, my leg starts to bounce. When my eyes start skating over the screen and my feet do a distracting under-desk jig, I know it’s time to pull out my walking pad. It has wheels and easily slides from its storage spot to beneath my desk. I click it up to a slow 1.6 mph, and just like that, my body is moving and my morning energy is diverted. Add a walking pad underneath your desk and watch your mood, health and productivity skyrocket.
If you don’t have a lot of space at home, consider a smaller or foldable walking pad. If you are taller, make sure you find one that fits your stride. Remote workers living in apartments will want to find an option that keeps noise levels low.
4. The monitor(s)
Whether you prefer one or two, picking the right monitor can save your eyes, neck and wallet over time. The ASUS ProArt Display gives accurate color displays plus a plethora of options for angle, rotation, brightness, height and device imports for less than $200.
If you need something higher-end that can handle high-resolution photo and video editing, Utah Business Art Director Rhece Nicholas recommends the BenQ 32-inch monitor. “It works especially well with Macs,” she says.
5. The organizers
Mental health clinician-turned-interior designer Amber Dunford wrote in a recent article for Utah Business, “Viewing clutter makes us very tense, as we feel the need to continuously scan cluttered areas to ensure nothing has changed or requires our attention. This dates back to our ancestral survival skills when we would scan our landscapes for danger.”
Add cord organizers, docking stations, filing cabinets, desktop shelves and headphone stands to your home office to keep must-have items accessible and organized. Travis Hobbs, digital advertising coordinator for Deseret Digital Media, recommends these swappable charging cables for charging multiple devices at your desk. When your technology, tools and documents are in their proper homes, your productive self thrives.
6. The decorations
While collecting opinions for this piece, I came across many items that, alone, I wouldn’t categorize as “necessities” — but together, decorations are just as vital as the laptop or phone you are reading this on. Decor sets the mood, gets your brain in the right headspace and brings joy to your workday.
What would I be without my AiMOR Wifi Digital Photo Frame? Fine. I’d be fine. But glancing over to see my cat’s big eyes or a memory from a recent family vacation helps keep me grounded and makes my workspace a fun, personalized spot. Here are a few more items I love having in my space:
- Soft fairy lights
- Desk mat
- Clock
- Lamps
- Plants
- Art
- Candles (Utah Business Editor Mekenna Malan specifically loves the Hinoki Fantôme candle from Boy Smells or these Papier D’Armenie burning papers.)
7. The tools
Depending on your workspace, adding certain tools can significantly improve your workflow and overall comfort. A heavy door or noise-canceling headphones block out small-human hollars and neighborly commotions so work continues in peace. Having a large, desk-dedicated water bottle also keeps distracting kitchen trips to a minimum while ensuring you stay hydrated.
For quick notes and organized thoughts, Muji 0.5 pens and notebooks are recommended as top-quality writing material to have on hand; their minimalist design and smooth writing make them a fantastic choice. For a more tech-savvy option, the Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook and app seamlessly digitize handwritten notes, making them easy to store and share. Finally, I loved upgrading to this wireless keyboard and mouse to reduce cable clutter, allowing freedom of movement and mind.
By incorporating these home office must-haves, your office space will soon become a haven of joy and productivity. As remote work continues to be an integral part of many people’s lives, investing in the right tools and creating an environment that sparks joy will both enhance efficiency and improve overall well-being.
