As many countries begin to reopen for business (nearly) as usual, it is easy to start imagining going back into the office as it used to be before the pandemic. However, the likelihood is that the new normal will still involve using your home office at least some of the time.
Though the success of the vaccine rollout has meant that many people are beginning to return to the office, and the pandemic will end, COVID-19 is here to stay. This means that, whilst the threat remains, working from home is likely to remain even after the pandemic finishes – as suggested by a study of companies in the UK.
With this in mind, it’s time to go beyond your basic desk and laptop setup. Here are 5 things you should especially consider adding to your home office while you continue to wait out the pandemic. Â
1. Integrated communications
When some of your colleagues are back in the office, and some are still working from home for the foreseeable future, it is time to invest in unified communications for your hybrid office model.
Horizon Collaborate integrates multiple communications tools into a single app, allowing for greater operational flexibility and productivity.
2. Ergonomic chair
Sitting in one place all day never does any wonders for your back, but it can be even worse when your chair doesn’t give you the right support.
As it is likely that we might be using these chairs frequently from now on, why not treat yourself and get an ergonomic chair for your home office?
3. Noise-cancelling headphones
Working from home can be incredibly difficult when you have lots of background noise and distractions – from the street outside, to the kids, to the pets vying for your attention.
This can be easily remedied with a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones. These headphones can help you to not only block out the sounds of your home but also transition back into the bustling office when the time to do so eventually arrives. Â
4. Filing cabinet
If you need to keep some of your important documents as hard copies, there is no excuse for you to simply leave them lying around on your desk.
In this case, it is worth buying a simple filing cabinet. This will allow you to better organize yourself, freeing up more space on your desk for your day-to-day operations.
5. Something to invigorate the senses
Working in the same room every day, coupled with the fact that you work and live in the same building, can lead you to become bored and fed up.
Therefore, try to make sure you invigorate your senses – say, with a scented candle, a reed diffuser, a music subscription or even a fruit bowl. Simple things like this can help you to switch up your day just enough that it doesn’t become mundane.
So, whilst COVID-19 remains a threat, why not think about adding some of these things to your home office? As working from home will probably outlast the pandemic, there is no time better than the present for you to begin improving your working day.
