An office? No, that doesn't ring a bell... Thanks to a little thing called Covid-19, our working habits have officially been changed forever.
With many of us working from home for, well, forever, it’s absolutely worth investing a little time and money into your home office - whether that’s a dedicated room, or sideboard in the kitchen. With a little bit of effort, you can transform your working from home setup into a space that really works for you.
You'll need brilliant tech, a comfortable chair and sturdy desk, plus some accessories to personalise your space and really make it your own. Luckily for you, we've got the ultimate work from home setup right here to get you started.
Live in a shared house? We've got a list for you, too.
The ultimate working from home setup
The ultimate working from home setup
Logitech MK540 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Logitech's wireless bundle will increase your typing comfort and declutter your workspace. The keyboard makes typing a breeze and offers three tilt angles to maximise comfort. The mouse is versatile too, with a rubberised-grip and ambidextrous design. The wireless connection can be made via Bluetooth or the provided USB plug-in. The connection is stable, and replaces the bothersome cables of standard external mice and keyboards.
Apple Magic Mouse 2
If you're using an Apple Macbook, seriously consider the Magic Mouse 2. The mouse brings together the functionality and efficiency of a trackpad with the accuracy and speed of a standard mouse to deliver an intuitive, gesture-controlled solution that's ideal for any Mac user. Many of the functions of this mouse can be activated as personal choice dictates, and the battery is long-lasting and quick to recharge via Apple's Lightning Cable. You can read our full review here.
Apple Magic Keyboard Numeric
The Apple Magic Keyboard is a remarkable keyboard for professional purposes. The low-profile design makes for a quick comfortable keystroke, and the sensible spacing reduces mistypes. The numeric pad and extended functions keys allow you to speed up and diversify your workflow and Mac operation. The Magic Keyboard offers a wireless connection, and is charged via a super-fast Lightning Cable.
m zimoon Mesh Back Support
Even if you have a brilliant office chair, investing in lumbar support will give you great posture and back support to keep you going through those long days.
ASUS VZ249HE 24-Inch Monitor
Switching between tabs and programs is both time-consuming and frustrating. Adding a second monitor to a laptop or desktop setup can really boost your productivity. The ASUS VZ249HE is the perfect choice: a slimline HD monitor offers up a large and crisp screen, ideal for working on multiple documents. Asus's Eye Care feature is included to control light frequencies and reduce eye strain – perfect for a long day in the home office. The VZ249HE can be connected to via a HDMI lead or VGA cable.
Logitech C270 HD Webcam
Video chats can't happen without video, and while laptops typically carry in-built webcams, those on desktops will be needing an external option. The C270 will capture the picture in clear and stutter-free 720p HD at 30fps, and clear audio via the noise-reducing microphone. The camera auto-adjusts the lighting balance of an image to guarantee you can always be seen. The universal clip mount offers versatile placement.
Nulaxy Laptop and Notebook Stand
If you're working all day on a laptop, it's time to give it a lift. This stand raises the screen 15cm, reducing the strain on your neck and back, and helping the laptop keep cool. This stand is our top choice because it's sturdy, there are two holes for cable management and the extra space underneath is ideal for a little extra desk storage.
Bamboo Desk Organiser
Keeping your desk organised is the key to feeling relaxed and productive. We love this bamboo desk tidy as it adds a touch of warm, contemporary style to your desk, plus it's made of a sustainable material.
BoardsPlus Felt Notice Board
If you have your own office, it's definitely worth getting something on your wall that you can easily refer to for deadlines, reminders and to personalise your space a little. This felt noticeboard is stylish and will suit a range of room designs.
TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp
Correct desk lighting is going to keep you alert and reduce eyestrain, making for a much happier workspace. The TaoTronics desk lamp has five light colours and seven brightness settings, allowing you to select the combination that works best for your setup. The LEDs are flicker-free, and the goose-neck design offers versatile positioning.
Levoit Air Purifier with HEPA Filter
Though there are plenty of benefits to be had working from home, living and working in the same four walls can get a little stale - in more ways than one. This desk-top Air Purifier from Levoit is the answer. It's HEPA filter helps clean the air of allergens and pollutants, and truly breathes new life into an office. Available in black or white.
Exerz Desk Organiser 4 Pieces/Office Set/Desktop Metal Mesh Filing
If wood isn't your style, this cool mesh desk organiser set includes an A4 letter tray, a magazine or document holder, letter sorter and pen holder for all your stationery needs.
Ikea Thyge Desk
If you have the space, setting aside an area as a dedicated 'working from home zone' is one of the best things you can do. It'll provide you with a real, palpable workspace to go to, and step away from. A desk is the first thing you'll need. This option from Ikea is affordable, and gives you a large 160cm wide, 80cm deep work surface – which is ample for any need. The height of the desk can be adjusted to sit between 60cm and 90cm.
mfavour Office Chair Ergonomic Office Chair
A wooden kitchen chair was okay to begin with, but anyone working from home for more than a day will have realised the importance of a genuine office chair. Our pick here has a very comfortable mesh backrest and headrest, forming to your shape and keeping airflow to a maximum. There's in-built, cog-adjusted lumbar support and the moveable armrests are handy too, allowing you to fit the chair 'just so'.
Knodel Desk Pad, Office Desk Mat
Traditional mousepads can be annoying - there never seems to be enough space, does there? This desk pad will cover a large surface area so you won't be restricted on your movement. Plus, it makes it more comfortable to lean on your desk while typing and looks great.
HP M15W Laser Printer
If you're looking for an inexpensive, reliable printer that's going to operate efficiently and take up very little space, then the M15W might just be for you. Despite being one of the smallest printers around, the print speed is more than acceptable, and the laser ink is long-lasting. Connection includes USB, Wi-FI, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print.
Indoor 40-50cm Potted | Monstera Deliciosa Swiss Cheese Plant
Bringing some plant life into your office will make you feel relaxed, in tune with nature and will brighten up your space. This high quality monstera plant is easy to take care of, looks brilliant and is really affordable.
IKEA 403.495.31 Fejka Artificial Potted Plant
If your track record with live plants isn't great, you can always rely on a fake plant to brighten up your space without depressing you if it doesn't survive. This one from IKEA will look fab on your shelves.
What to read next:
Home office decor ideas that will make working from home a breeze
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Jade Moscrop is a Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.
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