Working from home was previously a phrase many associated with putting in half the effort and lazy lie-ins, with those workers being deemed as ‘lucky.’ Now that it has become somewhat of a requirement in today’s world, it’s clear to see that working from home is a viable option, no matter what your boss, colleagues or friends say.
For this reason, it is so important to set yourself up with an area that’s, not only inviting, but also productive to ensure that a solid day’s work gets achieved. The first aspects are to ensure that you have a private area, your own office, if possible, a computer or laptop, a table or desk at the right height and a chair that supports your back properly and not just a dining chair you’ve appropriated.
Once these basics are in place it is now time to elevate your fundamental working area into a home office that utilises the very best technology to help your days go smoothly. Take a look at our top six home tech selections to make your home office a swish and stylish place that you simply can’t wait to return to.
Phone system
First things first, if you don’t have a good business phone system then your office won’t be all that useful. You need to ensure the lines of communication are kept alive and well with a reliable service, so you don’t miss any important calls.
Getting yourself set up with a nifty phone system is key; a virtual system that is simple to set up and simple to use is what you need, one such as SendMyCall’s virtual PBX. An all-in-one hosted PBX platform, which boasts features including advanced call forwarding services, full auto attendant features, touchtone menus, conference calling and a fax to email function will ensure nothing important is missed.
Smart speaker
Whichever brand you decide to go with, there’s no denying that smart speakers are a useful and rather fun tool to have in your home office. You can play music or the radio if you’re missing out on the hum of the office and they can also be set up to remind you of daily tasks, meeting, events and calls. With technology like this ready and waiting to be your virtual assistant you can focus and get on with the work at hand.
Wireless mouse
Though your laptop will boast a trackpad, it is quite rare that they live up to the usefulness of a mouse. Some will surely settle or find these completely worthwhile for whatever type of work they are doing but for a lot of forms of working, only a mouse will do. The ideal mouse will be wireless and comfortable to use, fitting perfectly in your hand – an extension to your hand even. An ergonomically sound mouse will provide solid wrist support and should also be sensitive with a scroll button to navigate your excel sheets like a pro.
Keyboard
Not to be underestimated, possessing a decent keyboard can make all the difference when you spend hours at your desk typing away. A wireless option will be useful and one that provides that much-needed wrist support is elemental, while a keyboard that benefits from a quiet and smooth typing action will surely be appreciated. High-tech options include those with a fingerprint scanner and those that can pair with multiple devices offering you the ability to switch up easily.
The desk
Sitting down all day can cause issues with your back, neck and shoulders, so investing in an adjustable desk is the perfect solution. The Updown Desk Pro is one of our favourite picks as it offers four different desk heights, electrically controlled; it comes in a range of sizes and frame colours; and the desktop can be purchased in white or beech to suit your existing décor.
Coffee machine
Like most of us, it is difficult to start your working day without a shot of coffee running through your veins first thing in the morning. Even the delicious smell of coffee is enough to start waking your brain up and taking you from dreamland to work-mode.
No office is complete without the aromas of coffee beans seeping through it and if you don’t want to be making countless trips to the kitchen to keep yourself fuelled up then install your very own high-tech coffee machine in your home office. There are many variations but we love those that can connect to your phone via an app so, with one press of a button, while still languishing in bed, your machine will be whirring away, preparing your perfect coffee without you having to move. Genius.
