Many of us transitioned into working in a hybrid- or remote environment from the comfort of our bedroom. It is a great advantage that you save time commuting to work and spend the extra time on more important things like sports or your family. It is all good on paper, but if you don’t have the essential work items in your home, the work hours won’t be that comfortable. Let’s see the list of things a gentleman should have in his home office.
Natural light
First, you need to have natural light in your office. As stated by Cantifix, exposure to natural light helps our bodies produce Vitamin D, improves our circadian rhythms and sleep patterns, helps us to focus, enables us to get more done, and even makes us happier. Ensuring we get enough of this vital resource is key to our physical and psychological well-being. That’s why it’s first on the list. One of the most important aspects of any office is lighting – and the best light source comes from the sun as natural light.
Desk Lamp
Second – this is especially important if you don’t have the possibility of natural light. A quality desk lamp is a must for your home office. Whether you take notes on paper or read through a physical document, a desk lamp is necessary for every office worker. It’s always a nice touch if you can dim the light and color of the lamp. If you work in the evening, I recommend turning on some subtle background or mood light. This way, your eyes don’t have to focus so much on the display in the dark.
The right desk
When you got the lights right, now comes the pricier accessory, but it is a necessary one. The desk is something that will be crucial for your work. If you don’t have space on your desk, your environment will be cramped, and you won’t feel comfortable. If you don’t feel comfortable at your desk, it will slowly have an effect on your performance. Pick a right-sized desk that you can work on comfortably. There are many cheap ones on the market – make sure you pick one with the right size and firm stand. This way, if you work on it, your display won’t wobble.
The right chair
Sitting comfortably while doing your work is an essential part of your work. If you sit comfortably, you can focus better on your work. With the right chair, your back and whole upper body won’t get tired, even after 8-10 hours of work later. On the other hand, if you work in an uncomfortable chair, your back will hurt, and you’ll get tired in a couple of hours. That’s why it’s a must to invest in a high-quality chair. You can find some great deals on the market that are kind of affordable, but the sky’s the limit in office chairs. You can pick one from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.
Working tools
Whether you are an architect working with pen and paper or a software developer working on a computer, you should have the right working tools for your job that will make your work life easier and more efficient. It would be impossible to list all the working tools for every job. Any tool that saves time at work is worth buying.
Plants
Another scientific fact is that the green color makes you feel focused and relaxed. It also purifies and clears the air in your room. If you have the space, make sure to have a couple of greens in your room/office. If you think you don’t have time to water them and take care of them, go to your local garden store and ask them for advice on flowers that don’t require regular maintenance. There are tons of greens that don’t need a lot of attention.
Positions your tools in the right place
Put your screen in the right place, distance – and, if possible, at the right height. Put your keyboard and mouse in the right place too. So your hand and arm won’t hurt after a day of working. If you are not sure how to set up your desk, check out the video below made by the Wall Street Journal:
Invest in a pair of blue light glasses
If you work with a laptop or some sort of screen, make sure to invest in blue light-blocking glasses. Blue light not only dries out your eyes but can significantly damage them as well eventually. Lucky for us, there are many options. From affordable to expensive types of blue light glasses.
Art
One of the easiest ways to show your personality is to put on some art. Whether it is a canvas or some figures on your shelf. Art is not only a great conversation starter in your living room but something that can motivate or inspire you to do more – or just makes you more relaxed.
Coffee machine or Kettle
Two of the best refreshments during a long day are either tea or coffee. For me, it’s always coffee. Drinking my coffee before work starts and my second one after lunch is an essential part of my home office life. It gives me a boost and a great refreshment of my mind. It doesn’t have to be in your room, but you should have one in your home.
Silence
To work efficiently, you will need silence and peace. If you live in a noisy area, make sure to do some things to insulate noises, like changing the windows to more modern options, buying furniture that insults sound, and optimally placing your working setup to eliminate noise. Or if nothing is working, invest in a noise-canceling headphone or earphone.
Final tips
Make sure to change your environment every once in a while. If you are working from a laptop and have the opportunity, try to go outside to a patio or living room to not spend the entire day in your bedroom.
In 2021, I had the chance to experience the lockdown working environment. After a couple of weeks, I realized it’s not healthy to spend the entire day in my bedroom. Many studies prove that doing so is unhealthy and can cause various mental illnesses.
Finally, I hope I can help you with this article, and you will have a better working environment. If you would like to see more content like this, read our other posts as well and follow us on social media. You’ll find the links below.
Keep on reading: A Gentleman’s Guide for the Best Morning Routine