Home Office Essentials For Working at Home

Whether you are a blogger, author, or simply work from home, every home office space needs a few essentials. Setting up your office space should involve deciding what technology and equipment will be the most productive during your at-home work hours.

Ready to see what you need for your home office? This list will get you set up with everything you need, no matter what your job is, and can be adapted based on the type of work you do. Let’s go! 

Computer & Monitor or Laptop

This first one depends on what type of office space you need.

Do you need high speed, more memory, or other accessories? You might benefit from a computer tower and monitor.

Are you looking for a more mobile option? Look into a laptop that fits your tech needs.

You can also find laptops with a monitor connection option. This would allow you to be mobile and work from a larger screen when necessary. Depending on the type of work you do, dual monitors might also be an asset in your home office. 

Printer 

Whether you opt for a laser printer for your home office or another type, this is a must-have. A printer is useful when you need to fax, scan, and make copies. If you think you will not need to do these things, think again. Faxing, scanning, and copying are basic daily tasks for most businesses. Of course, you might also just need to print something!

These days, most printers can handle all of these functions in one device. We recommend laser printers because they handle a larger paper capacity with lower maintenance over time. 

Backup Drive Storage 

Nothing is worse than a computer crash – unless it is followed by losing years of data and records. A home office should always have a method to back up and protect data in the event of a crash, virus, or other malfunction. Seek cloud-based backup options that copy files automatically.

Another route we recommend is to use a personal server or external drive to store files. This is a secure method that ensures your work is safe in the event of malware, computer failure, and other issues.

Fire-Safe Box 

Speaking of safe storage, there should always be a physical box to safely store documents. A fire-safe box is ideal. This will protect and store critical copies of business paperwork. This includes:

• Physical copies of licenses
• Permits
• Deeds
• Statements

In the event of both physical damage and digital file corruption, a fire safe box presents a last resort for data recovery. 

Paper Shredder 

Of course, not every document is worth keeping. This is why a paper shredder is another essential need for the home office. It is necessary to safely and completely destroy confidential and sensitive information. 

Uninterruptible Power Supply 

In the event of a power outage, an Uninterruptible Power Supply ensures you have a buffer to help save work and properly power down. While it might not seem that important at the start, it will be a lifesaver in the event of an unpredictable power outage. 

Stock Up For Success

There a plethora of other items to stock your home office with. From paper clips to post-it notes, your home office should be stocked to match your work needs and set you up for success. It’s better to be prepared for any task than having to make frequent runs to Staples for supplies. Plus, you’ll feel more legitimate with a fully stocked office.

While there may be other accessories to take your office over the top, you might not have the space for it. Instead, focus on office design and equipment that will make an efficient and streamlined home office.