Home Office Essentials That Often Go Unnoticed
Ok, so the above image is probably the ideal spot to be working from but lets be honest, these days, most people will be working from home for the foreseeable future due to the ongoing health crisis. Although a home setup is the best way to stay safe, it goes without saying that adopting it can be quite the challenge. Fortunately, knowing the essentials of your home office environment can make a big difference in the way you work. That being said, here are some unnoticed yet highly important ones to invest in.
Coffee Maker
Are you missing the coffee shop that you'd pass by before heading to work? Or how about that little café that would help you get your creative juices flowing? Chances are, your morning cup of coffee hasn't tasted like it usually does ever since you've been working from home. Thankfully, investing in a new coffee maker not only will help you learn how to brew your favourite cuppa, but also discover new ways to prepare your drink. Whether it's the ever-efficient AeroPress, a meditative pour over cone, a posh espresso machine like a Rocket Espresso machine, Lamarzocco Mini, Sage Barista Pro or Melitta Avanza (some of my favourites at the moment), or an automatic filter machine (see below) ... practicing new ways to brew your morning beverage will surely breathe life into your new working environment — while also supplying you that necessary jolt of energy for the mornings!
TGITC Auto Brewer Recommendations:
Cheap and cheerful: Melitta Aroma-boy around the £30 mark
Lux: Mocca Master or Bonavita 8 cup coffee maker around £160-200
Insulated Mug
While you're at it, you'll want to ensure that your cup of coffee stays warm or cool so you can truly enjoy your drink. After all, hot coffee tastes rather dull after a few hours. Meanwhile, melted ice cubes can totally dilute the flavour of your brew. This is why putting your coffee in an insulated mug can make all the difference for your beloved beverage. Case in point, Campfire Magazine shares that Tefal's travel mug can maintain a drink's temperature especially when you need to interrupt your coffee moment with a trip to the bathroom or go answer the door to receive your delivery of fresh coffee beans! I personally am really enjoying the Café Concetto tumbler (in gold) and Sttoke which is the worlds first shatter proof reusable cup. Alternatively, you can turn to a regular smart ceramic mug if you'd like a cozier option to store your drink. But remember to heat the cup first with hot water.
Ergonomic Chairs
Are you feeling stiff after working long hours at home? That is probably because your homework setup is not actually designed for work. Most offices invest in furniture that help employees stay seated for long periods of time. A guide to ergonomic chairs by Pain Free Working outlines how everything from the height of the chair to the depth of the seat pan can be adjusted. If you’re suffering from chronic pain, you might want to look into an ergonomic chair to provide your lower back the support it needs. Trust us when we say that good office furniture is often the element that most people miss from their workplace.
Laptop Stand
When it's time to work on your desk with your laptop, you'll likely find yourself having bad posture — from straining your neck to slouching your shoulders. As explained by Thrive Global, these examples of poor posture happen when your laptop's resting too low from your eye level. A simple yet effective to solve this matter is using a laptop stand that will elevate your computer screen one to two inches above your level. For instance, these laptop stands shown on T3 highlight how this device can instantly transform your working space.
Although working from home may not feel as structured as your office or go-to café, making a few adjustments here and there can help you ease into this new environment.
Stay Safe, Stay Strong, be kind to each other - we will get through this. xx
