Thursday, January 9, 2020

6 Home Office Items That’ll Make Your Life So Much Easier

Jacob Ammentorp Lund/iStock

Whether you work from home full time or part time, a home office is becoming a necessary part of the house for many of us. A study by Global Workplace Analytics reveals that over the past 10 years, remote work has grown 91%.

But being productive at home can be a challenge, and it largely hinges on how you set up your workspace.

“Your environment absolutely contributes to your performance,” says Pamela Durkin of Pamela Durkin Designs, in Naples, FL. “If you’re not at your best, you don’t produce your best work—which could be disastrous, especially if you work for yourself.”

So to help you make the most of every workday, we rounded up some home office–friendly products that’ll promote productivity.

1. Adjustable standing desk

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Electric adjustable standing desk

Amazon

If you get tired of sitting at your desk all day, a height-adjustable standing desk ($584, Amazon) offers the versatility you’re looking for. We like the electric height–adjustable standing desk because it can be adjusted anywhere from 24 to 48 inches high, and has a programmable controller for customizable presets.

“Sitting hours on end may cause back problems and even weight gain for snackers such as myself,” says Veronica Sanders, an interior designer in Dallas. “Whether you like to sit and focus or stand and type, height-adjustable desks are a must-have for any home office.”

A study funded by the National Institutes of Health reveals that being sedentary for prolonged, uninterrupted periods is associated with a higher risk of mortality. Other studies show that sitting for long periods of time also leads to a higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“Height-adjustable desks are perfect for active people or for those simply wanting to add a healthy activity into their workday,” Sanders says.

2. A multifunctional desk lamp

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Dimmable LED smart desk lamp

LumiCharge

You need a lamp, you need an alarm clock, and you need somewhere to charge your phone. Why not combine all three in a smart desk lamp ($109, Lumicharge)?

“Its charging option keeps your workspace free of cords, the light’s different shades help keep your eyes from getting tired while reading contracts and documents, and the clock and calendar with built-in alarm mean you’ll never be late for another appointment,” says Balaji Raghunathan, the product’s creator.

3. Stylish desk organizer

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Use a leather catchall to corral your odds and ends.

Royal Albartross

We all need a place to throw those little odds and ends that end up cluttering our desk. This catchall ($65, Royal Albartross) combines style and function, and will look great sitting on the side of your desk. It’s made of supple Italian leather and comes in two sizes (medium and large) and two colors (navy and black).

“Keeping your desk tidy will help keep you focused when there are so many things to be distracted by when you’re working at home,” says Courtney Turk, owner of Courtney Turk Interiors in Ottawa, Canada.

4. Mini touch-screen projector

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A personal projector will make you look like a pro even in the comfort of your own home.

Puppy Robotics

Wish you could have some of the capabilities of a corporate office in your home office? A portable projector ($999, Puppy Robotics) will allow you to make an impression in video meetings and give impressive presentations to clients visiting your office.

And we like this particular projector because it can turn any flat surface into an interactive touch screen.

“It utilizes a unique 10-point multitouch technology called AnyTouch that works on all surfaces,” says Kevin Wang, head of international operations at Puppy Robotics Co.

You can also connect it to your phone or computer and use it as a Bluetooth speaker.

5. A personal/portable air purifier

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Keep the air fresh while you work.

Wynd

Clean air, especially in your work area, is very important. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution can affect your work, causing headaches, dizziness, and irritation to your eyes, throat, and nose.

However, a personal air purifier ($129+, Wynd) can alleviate a lot of those worries.

“It creates a bubble of clean air around you by removing dust, allergens, smoke, germs, and particulate pollution from your personal space,” explains Ray Wu, an MIT graduate and the founder and CEO of Wynd.

6. Blue light-blocking glasses

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Blue light–blocking glasses

Umizato

Staring at screens all day is also a common source of headaches. The blue light that comes from your computer, tablet, and smartphone can cause digital eye strain and disrupt your sleep patterns. But blue light–blocking glasses ($59, Umizato) can filter that hazardous light from your screens and help reduce the damage it can cause.

This pair is available in several magnification options, including zero magnification if you wear contacts or have perfect vision. The anti-scratch glasses also have an anti-glare coating to eliminate reflections.

The post 6 Home Office Items That’ll Make Your Life So Much Easier appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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