Essential Equipment (Key tools) for Setting Up a Home Office & Working Remotely

The dream of working from home has never been so reachable for many worldwide, but what equipment do you need to set up an office at home that’ll help you be productive, organized, and efficient?

I’ve been working from home for nearly a decade now, so I’ll let you in on a few key areas which I’d wished I’d known when I first started. Some of it is common sense, but hopefully, you’ll find some tips you hadn’t already thought of even if you only work a few days remotely.

Create a Dedicated Workspace

If you’re living alone or don’t have kids running around, setting up a home office in the living room or as part of another room could be an ideal situation for you.

However, from experience, if you can try and find a spare room or a dedicated workspace, then it certainly helps with productivity. You’ll get fewer distractions from other family members and all the little things that need doing around the house, and it’ll help you focus more on what you need to get done.

Computer / Laptop and accessories

Chances are if you’re running a business from home or working for someone else, you’re going to be working online. This means you’re going to need a good laptop or home computer capable of doing the job you do.

Get yourself one that’s good enough for the job you’re doing now with a little extra power in case your business interests change later on.

Get Yourself a Mouse

Along with that, grab yourself an ergonomic mouse to plug into your laptop. It’ll change the way you work.

No more repeatedly scrolling across the trackpad to close that window when a flick of the wrist with a mouse and you’ve accomplished what you need in half the time. Add all that time up and over the day; that’s potentially an hour or so saved.

Not only that, but RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) is a thing. Make sure it’s comfortable to use for hours on end to help prevent any injuries that could become a lifetime of worry.

Get a Separate Keyboard

While you are at it, grab yourself a separate Bluetooth-enabled keyboard. It allows you to use your laptop as a monitor properly and, much like the mouse, will speed up your work life without the clunky trackpad getting in the way.

Setup and External Monitor

Many of us will have laptops. My main computer is a 15-inch laptop, which is excellent for mobility and working anywhere but can be a little small when trying to keep up with the daily workload.

Having multiple applications open simultaneously needs space, which is where a monitor comes into play. Grab yourself a second screen, and you’ll see the increase in productivity within minutes, no more needing to close down screens, open others, and then back again, allowing you to see all you need.

It’s definitely a work from home time saver.

High Speed Internet & Good WiFi Connection

For many, you’ll probably already have a fast internet connection, but if you don’t, you’re going to want to invest in a connection that gives you fast download and upload speeds.

There’s nothing worse than waiting for a website or application you’re using to load, which will cost you hours of vital work time that you could have spent working on something else.

And even if you do have a good internet speed, you’ll also need to ensure that the Wifi signal from your router to your work area is also up to scratch. It’s painful having to sit in just the right spot for your laptop to connect. Get your home infrastructure working right, and it’ll help reduce frustration and save you time on your current projects.

Find The Right Desk For You

One of the best items I invested in is an adjustable standing desk. Being attached to a computer for 8 to 10 hours a day means that I find myself sitting down a lot, which can adversely affect your health.

Adjusting the height and standing up for a few hours throughout the day gets the blood flowing and the brain ticking over better, helping reduce the daily harmful effects of desk work.

You don’t need a standing desk to be productive, though. Opting for the right desk with room for all your vital office equipment is a good starting point.

Comfortable Adjustable Office Chair

Working from home often involves hours of sitting. We’ve all been there; we get so involved in work that we often forget to take a break, and when you do eventually get up, your back hurts, your legs ache, and you’ll be moaning about how bad you feel for hours.

To help with some of this, you’ll want to grab yourself an adjustable office chair. One that is padded and comfortable on your bottom and one that you can adjust the height of has lumbar support and back adjustments.

Sitting in the correct body position in relation to the height of your desk, keyboard and mouse will help prevent those bad backs and aches, which is all worth it even if it costs you a few extra bucks.

Why Good Office Lighting is Important

Your eyes are probably one of the most important organs in your daily job. Mine certainly are, which is why you’re going to want good office lighting around your workspace to look after them.

Much like you would wear sunglasses on a bright sunny day, adding light to your office space will help reduce the glare from your screens and help protect your eyes for the future.

Why you need Dedicated File Storage for Backups

Many companies will let you save your work to their dedicated servers or cloud-based file storage systems, but if you’re a freelancer or small business, perhaps you haven’t gotten around to putting anything in place just yet.

My advice, don’t wait! Too many times have I lost hours, sometimes days of work from failing to back it up in the right location. You might think that having it saved on your laptop is OK and put it off till tomorrow, but technology can be fickle. One moment it’s working; the next minute, it’s not.

Be sure to setup a backup system, whether it’s a home server or a cloud-based storage solution like Dropbox or GoogleDrive for your files, it’s worth the time and money to setup and can save you more than it costs in the future.

One tip: make sure you have a backup in a different location from the original cause if the worst happens like a fire, you’ll still have a copy to fall back to.

Why a Reliable Telephone and Mobile Plan Is Essential for Your Home Office

A dependable telephone and mobile plan is a critical component of a productive home office setup. Whether you’re communicating with clients, attending virtual meetings, or collaborating with colleagues, reliable connectivity ensures seamless communication and uninterrupted workflows.

For professionals managing a home office, a mobile plan with unlimited calls and a high-speed data allowance is essential. This ensures you can stay connected during video calls, access cloud-based tools, and manage tasks on the go without worrying about dropped connections or excessive costs. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, often included in many business telephone plans, offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional phone systems, enabling you to make high-quality calls over the internet.

Many service providers offer tailored business plans that include international calling options, ideal for professionals collaborating across borders. Bundling internet and mobile plans can further reduce costs while streamlining billing.

A reliable telephone and mobile plan not only supports effective communication but also reflects professionalism, ensuring your clients and colleagues can always reach you without disruptions.

Related: Best Video Conferencing Software

Why a VPN is Essential for Your Home Office

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a crucial tool for any home office setup, particularly if you handle sensitive data or frequently access the internet for work. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet, shielding your online activities from potential threats such as hackers, data breaches, and eavesdropping.

When working remotely, you may connect to public or less secure Wi-Fi networks, making your data vulnerable to cyberattacks. A VPN like SurfShark, mitigates these risks by hiding your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, ensuring your information remains private. This is especially critical for professionals handling confidential client information or accessing proprietary company systems.

Additionally, a VPN allows remote workers to access region-restricted websites or services, ensuring seamless productivity regardless of location. For businesses, VPNs enable secure connections to corporate networks, giving employees the flexibility to work remotely without compromising security.

Investing in a reliable VPN service is a small step that provides significant protection, ensuring your home office remains secure and efficient.

Invest in a Safe

If you’re storing important documents at home, you’ll want to keep them in a safe location, and what better place than a fire-proof safe.

Yes, they might cost a pretty penny and can take up vital office space, but it’ll give you peace of mind that the documents you need, whether contracts, external hard drives, or IDs, will be safe when you’re not there to protect them.

Get one that’s fire-proof rated and from a reputable company to ensure its efficiency from break in attempts and fires.

These are just a few of the essential office tools that’ll save you time and help you work more effectively, helping you save money, and all from working in the comfort of your own home.

Conclusion

No matter your home office setup, you’ll no doubt find one that works for you, but there’s no denying that there are a few simple ways to boost your comfort and productivity. This lets you get your job done more efficiently, leaving you extra time for other things.

Ultimately if you only manage to find yourself a small space away from distractions or invest in faster internet, every little helps make your life that much easier.