Work From Home Essentials
I’ve been working from home for seven years and want to share some of the products that make my life easier. If you are only expecting to work from home for the next few weeks, you may not want to invest in all of these, but some may help make it more comfortable. In any case, I hope you stay healthy!
HOME COFFEE BAR
Chemex. I enjoy pour over coffee and Chemex is my go-to. We’ve had ours for six years and only had to replace it once when a cat threw it on the floor. I like the 10 cup because it’s enough to get me through the day, but it’s also available in 10 ounce, 3 cup, 6 cup, and 8 cup options. We wash it on the top rack of the dishwasher after removing the wood sleeve. If pour over isn’t your thing, we also have a French press and an electric coffee maker.
Reusable Filter. This is a great option that fits the 10 cup, 8 cup, and 6 cup Chemex models. It creates as little waste as possible. They also have paper filters.
Tea Kettle. We use our Breville electric tea kettle all the time. It boils hot water so you can use it for coffee, tea, add it to noodle cups, etc. It also makes a great gift.
Coffee Grinder. I have a Krups bean grinder that is probably 30 years old. It works like a champ and I bought the regular Krups Blade Grinder for my brother and my niece within the last five years and they both love it, so there are plenty of options in reasonable price ranges.
Thermos. Getting a thermos for home was a game changer because it keeps the coffee warm to have several cups throughout the day.
Milk Frother. This definitely isn’t a necessity, but we’ve had it for six years and I use it once or twice a week for a little something other than plain coffee. It’s easy and fun to use. It runs on two AA batteries.
WORK STATION SET UP
Monitor stand. Do you ever get a cramp in your neck from looking at your computer screen? The FITUEYES monitor stand adds an additional 5.5 inches of height and has made a world of difference for my neck. The shelves underneath come in handy, too.
Adjustable laptop stand. We’ve had the Executive Office solutions laptop stand since 2016. It’s portable and adjustable, which is great for working from home. It also helps with posture.
Keyboard arm rest. I’ve used these for years and when my arms are particularly painful, I stack the gel wrist rest on top of a firmer foam wrist rest for extra support.
Laptop or mouse arm rest. Depending on the set up for your lap top, you can buy two of these small wrist rests and put them on either side of the laptop’s mouse pad. It’s also great to buy one for use with a stand alone mouse. There are a variety of colors available through the link.
Comfortable chair. A desk chair that you are comfortable sitting in will make working from home so much easier. There are great options in every price range. Gaming chairs are one way to go. Check the specs to make sure the chair you are looking at will be good for your body length and weight (I personally prefer the men’s version because I have a freakishly long body). If you are looking for something fancier with good support, check out a Herman Miller chair. Whatever your price range is, you can find something to fit your needs.
Mouse. Whether you are using a laptop or desk top computer, having a quality stand alone mouse helps with productivity and comfort. I prefer a bigger mouse that fits in my whole hand and love the Logitech M720 Triathalon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse. Another great option is the Arc Mouse that comes in several fun colors.
Surface Headphones. These are great for conference calls, listening to music, and they are also noise cancelling. We’ve used ours daily for over a year.
COMFORT ITEMS
SAD Light. Depending on where you live in the country and the time of year, 20 - 30 minutes with a SAD light on your desk can brighten your mood. I’ve had one for five years and it is helpful in the rainy Seattle winters.
Clip on reading or knitting light. Sometimes you want to move away from your desk to read or knit. If it is night or a gray winter day, a clip on light can be a big help for your eyes.
A comfortable blanket. If you are in a chilly climate or if you like to pump the air conditioner, but need to stay warm, a blanket dedicated to your work space helps. Of course you can use a blanket that you already have, make one for yourself, or purchase a knit, crochet, or handwoven blanket from Etsy, a local store, or crafts person.
Heated blanket. My SoftHeat by Perfect Fit blanket is my go-to for 10 months out of the year in Seattle (it’s usually only warm during July and August here). I mostly use the lowest settings (Lo - 4) and it keeps me warm.
Candle warmer. This is a great item to have in my office because it warms the candle from the bottom for a lovely scent, reduces the chance of a fire from my cats tipping over a flame, and prolongs the life of the candle.
Petlinks Electronic Motion Cat Toy Mystery Motion. Speaking of cats, sometimes mine are perfect sleeping angels or manage to play quietly by themselves. Other times, I need to get work done or take calls and that is the moment they need attention. The Petlinks Electronic Motion Cat Toy Mystery Motion is perfect for the latter situations. You can turn it on and it will keep them busy. I’ve had five cats in my life and they ALL loved this toy.
What items help you work from home more comfortably?
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