Home Office Essentials Buying Guide
Working hard, or hardly working? Ahhh, the joy of working from home. Now that working remotely is more common than ever, it's never been a better time to set-up a home office of your own. Imagine reviewing spreadsheets,  checking your email, and contacting clients- all in your pajamas! Before telling your boss you'll be doing your TPS reports from home, make sure you have all the gear to get them done. Use this guide as a reference so you don't forget anything important like your motivation.
Office Components
These are the main components you'll need to purchase for your home office to get yourself up and running. One of the best things about working from home is that you get to design your own office and outfit it with the things you like best. Goodbye cubical!
Furnishings
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This is perhaps the most important component of your home office. Choose a desk that is comfortable to work on and large enough to spread everything out. There's nothing worse than a cramped desk. - Your desk is also a psychological tool to keep you mentally 'at work'.
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File cabinets come in numerous sizes and set-ups. Be sure to buy a filing cabinet that not only fits your current work files, but also has plenty of space for future documents (given you are still productive).
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This is another extremely important component of your office. If you have an uncomfortable chair, you'll probably find the couch in the living room more hospitable. Say goodbye to that deadline you have! |
Electronics
This is the most critical aspect of your home office; not to mention your only link to that place you used to go everyday to work. Be sure not to forget any of these key office electronics!
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Use a desktop computer if possible. They are the most configurable, and take up less desk space than a laptop because you can store the tower under your desk. Now you can play games on your work computer without keeping an eye out for your boss!
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A printer is another essential electronic component of your home office. Printers can be quite pricey so be realistic when choosing a printer. - If you plan to print out 500 page reports, a laser printer is your best bet while an inkjet printer is excellent for frequent somewhat lengthy print sessions.
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While fax is becoming a business solution of the past, many still rely on the technology to get work done as should you. - Look for a fax machine that has a copy function to save the ink toner on your printer when printing multiple documents of the same kind.
- A scan feature also comes in handy from time to time.
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Essential Extras
Strongly consider these extras to complete your home office.
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A surge protector keeps all your electronics and data safe from unexpected electrical surges. - They also create more outlets to plug other accessories in like your pencil sharpener.
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Paper shredders safely destroy your un-needed work documents. With identity theft on the rise, simply throwing away an old client's file is not sufficient any more. Avoid the liability and be sure to pick up one of these. |
Keep your hands free to type, file, fax or in your case do nothing. But, when the time comes to multi-task there's nothing more frustrating than trying to review and fax a file with only one hand. |
Related Products
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Keep track of everything. |
Shed some light on your work area. |
A clean workplace is an efficient workplace.
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Don't Forget! |
Keep your work literature organized.
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External Links
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US Site
GB Site