The Essential Work from Home Checklist

Posted By Jon Nickel-D'Andrea on Apr 4, 2020 | 1 comment

Here in Seattle, we’re on a work from home mandate until at least May. We’re both so very used to going into the office everyday, but Ben has had an office at home for years. He’s much more used to working from home than I am, so for me, having an essential work from home checklist has been crucial in getting me through the days and weeks. 

If you’re not used to working from home, here some of the crucial items that will make your basement, office, spare bedroom, or kitchen table more productive.

Laptop and Computer Accessories

Heat Shield

If you are spending time on the sofa and your laptop is getting kinda warm, then perhaps you need a laptop heat shield. We like this one because it is anti slip and also has a spot for your mouse.

Laptop Stand

Working from the kitchen table can become a pain, literally. Hunching over your table non-stop can be a pain in your neck and back. Using a laptop stand will give you a more natural stance, and we like this one because it also has a space for your phone.

Lapgear Home Office

If you want the best of both words, try a lap desk. Let’s be honest – no one is paying attention or really cares that you’re on your couch working anyway, right? Chances are you’re also probably in your pajamas… might as well be comfortable.

Wireless Printer

If you’re used to printing on your work’s Xerox machine, get used to using your home printer. A wireless printer is essential so you’re not hooking your laptop up via cable to a printer. A simple black and white laser printer will do wonders, and we actually own this one ourselves. It allows you to do mobile printing AND wireless printing. Win-win!

Laptop/Tablet Hybrid (Surface)

It might be time for you to get a new laptop, and what better time to look into getting a Laptop/Tablet Hybrid. The Surface Go is the best of all the worlds combined. This one weighs in at under 2 pounds and is very portable.

Faster Router

Your internet might be fast, but if that fast internet is getting sent into a router that can’t handle your laptop, work laptop, phone, tablet, smart speaker, and more all seeing the same bandwidth, you’re gonna get slow. A faster router will help to overcome those lags

Smartphone Sanitizer

Yuck. Your smartphone is nasty. You may be using hand sanitizer, but its also gross from sitting on tables, being in your pocket, touching it, and yes, even germs from your mouth. This phone sanitizer uses UV light to kill all of those little nasties and get healthier.

Desk Accessories

If you’ve evolved past the couch and actually have a desk set up, congratulations. You’re better than most. Here are some easy options to make that desk space just a little more productive.

Storage Blocks

Sometimes, a simple desk organizer is all you need. These DecoBros Desk Organizers have slots for the vast majority of everything you’ll need to organize your desk life.

SAD Therapy Lamp

If you live in the north of the United States, you’re probably in some need of light therapy. These Therapy Lamps bring natural light to your desk. If your home office is in your basement like mine is, there’s not a lot of light to begin with. Snag this bad boy and you’ll be able to pretend that you’re on the beaches of Maui.

Office Chair

Make sure that the desk chair that you’re using has proper lumbar support. Any chair is fine if you’re only sitting for 15-20 minutes, but if you’re going to spend 8 hours a day at your new home office, you had better be comfortable.

New Office Desk Adjustable

In our office we have standing desks – I can’t believe that most offices don’t have them! Being able to move from standing to sitting helps me be more productive, turns out that I do most of my work while standing. You don’t need something fancy, but having a desk that goes from ground floor to a few more feet off the ground is a great starter.

Cube Timer

Here’s something fun. I’m getting tired of telling Siri to “countdown 5 minutes” every time I want to do something. Personally, having this little cube timer on my desk is great. Just flip it over and the timer starts. Flip it back when the alarm goes off and it stops. 

General Wellness

Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean that your routine has to stop. Here’s a few must haves for your new at home adventure.

Yoga Mat

A good yoga mat can be used for so much more than yoga. Lots of gyms and online trainers are doing virtual classes, and you don’t want to sweat all over your hardwoods or carpet. They aren’t expensive, they roll up to hide out of place, and are easy to transport all over the house (and outside too!)

Posture Corrector

Remember that crap posture we talked about earlier? I bought a posture corrector last year and it’s been amazing. I knew my posture was bad, but boy oh boy it has improved tremendously. You can wear this above or under your clothes, and it’ll help straighten you up. The first couple of days are rough, but you get through it pretty quick.

Allbirds

Allbirds are our favorite travel shoes, but their lounger line is great for both travel and lounging around the house. They can be used with socks or without and don’t worry if your feet are a little funky, they’re machine washable! We did a full post on them here, or you can just trust us and buy them there ==> Allbirds.

Perfect Pushup

Can’t get to the gym? Don’t worry. The perfect pushup lets you have a quick-workout along with that yoga mat you just snagged three paragraphs above. It might not replace a gym, but it sure is better than sitting on your duff doing nothing.

Comfy Nonslip Slipper Socks

Basements are cold. Buy these. Enough said.

Coffee/Tea/Breakroom

I’ll miss the free coffee everyday. We just got an espresso bar, so now I am a bit more of a coffee snob. Whether you’re a drip or espresso fan, there’s a coffee prep method for everyone.

French Press

Bodum is the best. They’ve been doing coffee for decades, and if you want a quality French press, here’s where to go. I like this Stainless Steel 1 liter option. There are cheaper options on the market, but at under $40, it’s a steal in my opinion.

Coffee Maker

Like the programability of set it and forget it? You can set the coffee to be ready to go. for you when you wake up in the morning. For those with hectic schedules, this is a great option for you.

Milk Foamer

When I make my espresso at work, we have the machine that makes the lively milk froth for me. Since I don’t have the thousands to spend on a fancy espresso machine, I need a way to get my milk froth at home. It doesn’t get a whole lot cheaper and easier than this! Just insert a couple of batteries and go to down.

Slow Cooker

Since we’re at home more now than ever before (I mean, literally, 24 hours a day) I’ve decided to start looking more into interesting recipes. The Instant Pot line has a zillion recipes that you can do, from stir fry to cheesecake. The possibilities are truly endless. Set it, and forget it!

Headphones

Master Dynamic

Kids screaming upstairs and you need some peace and quiet? We tried a pair of these M&D headphones for their noise cancelling abilities and it almost made us shelve our Bose headphones. Classy colors, great fit around the ears, they’re great for use listening to music or the latest boardroom conference call.

Airpods

The apple essential item. It still amazes me that people use corded headphones with finding bluetooth options have advanced leaps and bounds over the years. Apple’s AirPods have dropped in price lately, making them now look more appealing than ever before.

Bluetooth Speaker

Don’t listen to great music on your phone with sub-par quality. We’ve had the Wonderboom line of speakers for over a year. What I love most about them is the ability to pair more than one together, giving you that surround sound quality. Also, they’re waterproof so feel free to take them with you to the pool, or even outside. If it rains a little bit, you’re gonna be A-OK.

Miscellany

Fire Tablet for Kids

Your kids are home from school as well, so give them something to distract themselves with while you’re plugging away.

Kids are rough. Don’t give them something expensive, because chances are, it’s gonna break. If they manage, by some stretch of the imagination, to break the new Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet, sent it back to Amazon, and they’ll replace it. Now that’s a warranty I can get behind.

Working From Home isn’t ALL bad

For the longest time, many of my friends have been clamoring for the chance to work from home, but I don’t think that any of us envisioned working from home for months at a time. Use this checklist and get a handle on your WFH adventures. If you have an item that you find essential for working from home, let us know about it in the comment section below.