Work-from-home must haves?
September 17, 2020 10:40 PM Subscribe
What are your home office and general working-from-home essentials? Looking for recommendations to help me be as comfortable and productive as possible!
After a long, scary period of unemployment, I'm finally about to start a new gig!
Due to covid of course, I will be working from home for the time being. I'm someone who always preferred going into the office in order to be more productive. Then again, I never had a good home office setup before, so my WFH experience consists mostly of being horribly sick and banging away on my laptop while propped up in bed or on the couch. I don't have a dedicated room to turn into an office, but there's space for a small desk in the corner of my living room by the window.
Please recommend everything that has made your WFH situation tolerable, or even enjoyable! Anything from electronics to desk gadgets to stationery items to cute desk swag. I am really excited to finally have work again, and I'm looking forward to setting up my own little customized workspace!
After a long, scary period of unemployment, I'm finally about to start a new gig!
Due to covid of course, I will be working from home for the time being. I'm someone who always preferred going into the office in order to be more productive. Then again, I never had a good home office setup before, so my WFH experience consists mostly of being horribly sick and banging away on my laptop while propped up in bed or on the couch. I don't have a dedicated room to turn into an office, but there's space for a small desk in the corner of my living room by the window.
Please recommend everything that has made your WFH situation tolerable, or even enjoyable! Anything from electronics to desk gadgets to stationery items to cute desk swag. I am really excited to finally have work again, and I'm looking forward to setting up my own little customized workspace!
I'm about to be a total techbro, but a nice chair, desk, keyboard/mouse/screen, and conferencing audio setup will make this for you.
I'm a huge fan of buying used Leap / Aeron chairs on your local Craigslist / FB Marketplace / etc ($1500 new, $300-$500 used). You sit all day, you should sit on the best damn thing you can find.
Ditto desk. I have a motorized sit-stand, because I like to do both, but really the #1 thing is "is the keyboard in a comfortable place when I'm sitting here." I go out of my way to buy thin desktops so I can get the keyboard down low without screwing around with keyboard trays, but that's me.
Next: get a keyboard and mouse you are comfortable using. I'm personally into mechanical keyboards and I like the Logitech MX Master mice (which are sort of ergo, not quite a sharkmouse but close) but that's a really personal decision. It's worth buying something nice for yourself if you're going to be sitting there a lot.
Get a laptop stand so your laptop is up off your desk and closer to your eyeline. Hunching over a laptop will wreck your back. Along the same lines, see if you can fit a 24" or 27" monitor into your space. Don't bother paying for 4k unless you have an actual need for it -- 27" 1440p is my personal sweet spot. Unless you are particular about color/refresh rate, pretty much anything well-reviewed will do. Set up some nice rotating wallpaper for your screen, so you have something nice to look at if you don't have windows open (I'm on landscapes and airplanes, your interests may vary).
Spring for some nice headphones/mic. I used to hate bluetooth headphones, then my employer bought me a WH-1000x3. Amazing audio quality for music, also amazing call quality. They're pricy. I'd argue worth it, especially if you can get your company to reimburse. If not, I'm sure there are lower-cost options that are at least in the same ballpark.
Webcam, if you can get one (they seem to be in short supply right now). A laptop webcam is fine, but a dedicated webcam is better. If you happen to have a DSLR with HDMI out or video camera kicking around, get an interface for that instead (El Gato makes one, and there are others), it'll be even better!
Lighting. As in, lots of it. You want the ability to light you face nicely for zoom calls, and also light your workspace. I do a lot of DIY lighting stuff, but a drafting light (the kind that clamps to the edge of your desk and has a 2-part arm) is pretty useful.
On a lighter note, I have a couple of plushies that sit on my speakers: Eeyore, because I am totally Eeyore, and an armadillo that a friend gave me as a thank-you for working tech for a dance performance in college.
posted by Alterscape at 10:56 PM on September 17, 2020 [6 favorites]
I'm a huge fan of buying used Leap / Aeron chairs on your local Craigslist / FB Marketplace / etc ($1500 new, $300-$500 used). You sit all day, you should sit on the best damn thing you can find.
Ditto desk. I have a motorized sit-stand, because I like to do both, but really the #1 thing is "is the keyboard in a comfortable place when I'm sitting here." I go out of my way to buy thin desktops so I can get the keyboard down low without screwing around with keyboard trays, but that's me.
Next: get a keyboard and mouse you are comfortable using. I'm personally into mechanical keyboards and I like the Logitech MX Master mice (which are sort of ergo, not quite a sharkmouse but close) but that's a really personal decision. It's worth buying something nice for yourself if you're going to be sitting there a lot.
Get a laptop stand so your laptop is up off your desk and closer to your eyeline. Hunching over a laptop will wreck your back. Along the same lines, see if you can fit a 24" or 27" monitor into your space. Don't bother paying for 4k unless you have an actual need for it -- 27" 1440p is my personal sweet spot. Unless you are particular about color/refresh rate, pretty much anything well-reviewed will do. Set up some nice rotating wallpaper for your screen, so you have something nice to look at if you don't have windows open (I'm on landscapes and airplanes, your interests may vary).
Spring for some nice headphones/mic. I used to hate bluetooth headphones, then my employer bought me a WH-1000x3. Amazing audio quality for music, also amazing call quality. They're pricy. I'd argue worth it, especially if you can get your company to reimburse. If not, I'm sure there are lower-cost options that are at least in the same ballpark.
Webcam, if you can get one (they seem to be in short supply right now). A laptop webcam is fine, but a dedicated webcam is better. If you happen to have a DSLR with HDMI out or video camera kicking around, get an interface for that instead (El Gato makes one, and there are others), it'll be even better!
Lighting. As in, lots of it. You want the ability to light you face nicely for zoom calls, and also light your workspace. I do a lot of DIY lighting stuff, but a drafting light (the kind that clamps to the edge of your desk and has a 2-part arm) is pretty useful.
On a lighter note, I have a couple of plushies that sit on my speakers: Eeyore, because I am totally Eeyore, and an armadillo that a friend gave me as a thank-you for working tech for a dance performance in college.
posted by Alterscape at 10:56 PM on September 17, 2020 [6 favorites]
I like to be able to look out the window (good for your eyes to be able to shift to longer distances) but I had to get just the right semi-sheer curtain so I can control the afternoon sun. (Also, too much light bleaches out my face on the camera so over the course of the day I have to adjust the room lights and curtains to have a fairly natural skin tone on the camera.
Also, after I got a separate (much larger) monitor I had to crane my neck to get the screen in focus with my progressive lenses. A new pair via zenni optical was surprising cheap and easy - I just entered by regular progressive prescription and they adjusted it so the "distance" was right for the screen and the upclose worked for reading smaller things in my hand (like my phone). I don't bother with blue light blocking (there doesn't seem to be any real science behind it but it is a thing some people swear helps get them through the day)
posted by metahawk at 11:59 PM on September 17, 2020
Also, after I got a separate (much larger) monitor I had to crane my neck to get the screen in focus with my progressive lenses. A new pair via zenni optical was surprising cheap and easy - I just entered by regular progressive prescription and they adjusted it so the "distance" was right for the screen and the upclose worked for reading smaller things in my hand (like my phone). I don't bother with blue light blocking (there doesn't seem to be any real science behind it but it is a thing some people swear helps get them through the day)
posted by metahawk at 11:59 PM on September 17, 2020
Things that have been great for my setup include:
posted by Pacrand at 12:08 AM on September 18, 2020 [5 favorites]
- A good chair. I've been happy with the Myochair, which was the best new chair I could find for under $200. People say that you should spend as much as you can on a chair, which is correct, as it makes the most difference for your comfort and happiness. But I didn't have that much to spend. So $200 was my limit, and this is comfy.
- A mechanical keyboard. I don't live or work from home alone, but even with the additional noise, this has been great. The Velocifire TKL02 has been really nice for the money.
- A big 'ol mouse mat big enough for my mouse and keyboard, and to be an occasional placemat that's easy to clean.
- Unfortunately, yeah, I consider a webcam essential, preferably mounted on top of an external monitor that's elevated to eye height. You look best on a webcam if it's looking down at you. I have only one monitor, but that's what I'm used to.
- A good headset. I went through a bunch, and settled on the Cooler Master MH751. I tried wireless, but all that wireless tech gets stuffed into the ear cups and is heavy. I tried open-back, and it was oddly hot on my head. These have been very, very comfortable, and sound great.
- A good hook for my headphones.
- Lastly, mounting my power strip under my desk with a couple little screws and using raceway for cable management made my setup much cleaner and more pleasant. My tip is to cut the raceway into small lengths, so you have gaps between sections for cables to enter or exit the raceway.
posted by Pacrand at 12:08 AM on September 18, 2020 [5 favorites]
Oh, and I tried a tiny desk for a while. I think it can work to be narrow. But it has to be deep. My desk is 29 inches deep, and that's about the minimum to get my eyes far enough from my monitor to be comfortable.
posted by Pacrand at 12:11 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by Pacrand at 12:11 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
A good chair *with the right castors on it for your flooring*. Carpet castors on a hard floor will skid around like crazy; hard-floor castors on a carpeted floor won't move. Neither combination is good for your comfort or concentration.
And seconding that a desk the right height for you is an excellent thing. If you're not average male height, chances are every desk you've ever used in an office has been the wrong height. Those diagrams of ideal ergonomic positioning? Actually achievable if your desk is right for you. Mine is adjustable, and when I finally got around to adjusting it properly, life got better.
The other thing I particularly like about my home office compared to my desk at work is that, as my house doesn't lend itself to looking out of the window (the windows are all above head height - perils of living in a conversion), I've got pictures hung on the wall behind the desk. Oh, and because I live alone, I can listen to music out loud instead of having to use headphones or work in silence.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:20 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
And seconding that a desk the right height for you is an excellent thing. If you're not average male height, chances are every desk you've ever used in an office has been the wrong height. Those diagrams of ideal ergonomic positioning? Actually achievable if your desk is right for you. Mine is adjustable, and when I finally got around to adjusting it properly, life got better.
The other thing I particularly like about my home office compared to my desk at work is that, as my house doesn't lend itself to looking out of the window (the windows are all above head height - perils of living in a conversion), I've got pictures hung on the wall behind the desk. Oh, and because I live alone, I can listen to music out loud instead of having to use headphones or work in silence.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 1:20 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I've been working from home for a while and recently invested in a few things that have improved my experience a lot:
* An Ikea Skarsta sit/stand desk and a Hattefjäll chair (if you're on the tall side, you might want a chair with more back support).
* A decent-quality surge protector.
* A SteelSeries QcK cloth mousepad in size medium, which is working great with my Apple Magic Mouse.
* A JBL Go 2 bluetooth speaker. It's small, affordable, and sounds great when playing music or videos.
* A TaoTronics TT-DL031 LED lamp. It has adjustable settings for color temperature and intensity, and I feel like its design is better than a ring light if you wear glasses. It also includes a wireless charging pad and USB port.
* Extra bits to keep me comfortable and keep my workspace clean: hand lotion, lip balm, coasters, a small trash can, a basket to collect cables and adapters.
posted by neushoorn at 1:28 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
* An Ikea Skarsta sit/stand desk and a Hattefjäll chair (if you're on the tall side, you might want a chair with more back support).
* A decent-quality surge protector.
* A SteelSeries QcK cloth mousepad in size medium, which is working great with my Apple Magic Mouse.
* A JBL Go 2 bluetooth speaker. It's small, affordable, and sounds great when playing music or videos.
* A TaoTronics TT-DL031 LED lamp. It has adjustable settings for color temperature and intensity, and I feel like its design is better than a ring light if you wear glasses. It also includes a wireless charging pad and USB port.
* Extra bits to keep me comfortable and keep my workspace clean: hand lotion, lip balm, coasters, a small trash can, a basket to collect cables and adapters.
posted by neushoorn at 1:28 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Oh my god, so many hours working remote while taking remote classes while kids are home schooling...most of my recommendations have been mentioned, but I’ll give my $0.02 anyway.
First and foremost, your chair needs consideration. Do *not* skimp. This is the single most important thing in your life as a home worker that contributes to comfort, productivity, and happiness. Try them out if you can, but at the very least you want to adjust every aspect of it and be ready to spend $$$ for quality.
An anti fatigue mat under the chair is likely a good idea.
You need a giant second screen. They are cheap these days, less than $200 and I’ll never go back.
If you’re doing a significant amount of video meetings, consider that fact that a lap top camera looks up at you and gives the viewer an extremely unflattering angle. I use a Microsoft Surface that I mounted on an adjustable arm to put the screen and camera at eye level (this cost $30 on Amazon). Stand-alone webcams are indeed in short supply but eventually I got one so when I look at my big second monitor I’m staring right at the camera.
Again for video meetings, a headset with a microphone arm that comes around makes a huge difference for your voice clarity. I got a cheap USB one but eventually upgraded to Bluetooth because even with a good task chair I need to get up and move around. Plus it connects to my phone which is nice to keep my hands free on phone calls. A head phone stand is nice.
I got a soft padded mat that covers most of my desk. I skip the mousepad and wrist rest.
I also use an Echo Dot which is nice and convenient for playing music, asking quick questions like weather, definitions of words, quick calculations, or getting intercom messages from other people in the house like “dinner’s ready.”
My home office has a door and I made some laminated signs for the other people in my house, like: “I’m working, but can be interrupted” or “I’m in an important meeting now, please don’t interrupt unless it’s an emergency” or “currently meditating.”
A small USB powered fan.
A desktop power supply that has two outlets and 3 USB posts for charging phone, headset, etc without having to reach under the desk.
I have a paper shredder and printer which may or may not be useful depending on your actual job.
One hint I learned — on the iPhone “Notes” app, if you start a new note, just above the keyboard there’s a little camera icon — press that and it will give you the option to scan a document that you can then email or text or save or whatever. This has been so enormously useful that I don’t use my regular scanner anymore.
Decor is important but totally individual. I like a clean organized work space so my decor is limited to some pictures on the wall and that’s it. Desktop and bookshelf real estate is at a premium and I need fewer distractions.
The way our home is situated, I can access the refrigerator, coffee maker, bathroom, and a door to outside without interacting with anyone else in the home. It’s important to think about whether you need to “disappear” in order to get stuff done and whether each time you need to pee you’re going to get pulled into helping a kid with something or a conversation about who left dirty dishes. Try to maintain access to things you’ll need without having to expose yourself to distractions.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:55 AM on September 18, 2020 [4 favorites]
First and foremost, your chair needs consideration. Do *not* skimp. This is the single most important thing in your life as a home worker that contributes to comfort, productivity, and happiness. Try them out if you can, but at the very least you want to adjust every aspect of it and be ready to spend $$$ for quality.
An anti fatigue mat under the chair is likely a good idea.
You need a giant second screen. They are cheap these days, less than $200 and I’ll never go back.
If you’re doing a significant amount of video meetings, consider that fact that a lap top camera looks up at you and gives the viewer an extremely unflattering angle. I use a Microsoft Surface that I mounted on an adjustable arm to put the screen and camera at eye level (this cost $30 on Amazon). Stand-alone webcams are indeed in short supply but eventually I got one so when I look at my big second monitor I’m staring right at the camera.
Again for video meetings, a headset with a microphone arm that comes around makes a huge difference for your voice clarity. I got a cheap USB one but eventually upgraded to Bluetooth because even with a good task chair I need to get up and move around. Plus it connects to my phone which is nice to keep my hands free on phone calls. A head phone stand is nice.
I got a soft padded mat that covers most of my desk. I skip the mousepad and wrist rest.
I also use an Echo Dot which is nice and convenient for playing music, asking quick questions like weather, definitions of words, quick calculations, or getting intercom messages from other people in the house like “dinner’s ready.”
My home office has a door and I made some laminated signs for the other people in my house, like: “I’m working, but can be interrupted” or “I’m in an important meeting now, please don’t interrupt unless it’s an emergency” or “currently meditating.”
A small USB powered fan.
A desktop power supply that has two outlets and 3 USB posts for charging phone, headset, etc without having to reach under the desk.
I have a paper shredder and printer which may or may not be useful depending on your actual job.
One hint I learned — on the iPhone “Notes” app, if you start a new note, just above the keyboard there’s a little camera icon — press that and it will give you the option to scan a document that you can then email or text or save or whatever. This has been so enormously useful that I don’t use my regular scanner anymore.
Decor is important but totally individual. I like a clean organized work space so my decor is limited to some pictures on the wall and that’s it. Desktop and bookshelf real estate is at a premium and I need fewer distractions.
The way our home is situated, I can access the refrigerator, coffee maker, bathroom, and a door to outside without interacting with anyone else in the home. It’s important to think about whether you need to “disappear” in order to get stuff done and whether each time you need to pee you’re going to get pulled into helping a kid with something or a conversation about who left dirty dishes. Try to maintain access to things you’ll need without having to expose yourself to distractions.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:55 AM on September 18, 2020 [4 favorites]
Definitely a desk/table at as close as possible to the right height for you, a chair with a back that moves, a keyboard and mouse, and either a laptop stand or monitor. I also use headphones constantly because there's too much echo using the laptop speakers. I am left handed and like to have my space set up with a monitor and keyboard in the middle of the desk, the laptop on the right-hand side and a notebook and pen on the left. A 4ftx2ft desk/table gives me enough space to do this comfortably. I could get away with smaller if I rearranged or used a laptop stand instead of a monitor, but I have room in the space that I work in.
The other thing that is helpful, but I'm not sure whether you can swing it, is a working space that is 'away' from your main relaxation and/or sleeping spaces. It is exceedingly nice to not be reminded of work in the evenings and weekends. A separate room is a luxury but there may be ways to set up your space so that the desk doesn't actively remind you of its presence.
Other things I find helpful are daylight, and a view.
posted by plonkee at 4:01 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
The other thing that is helpful, but I'm not sure whether you can swing it, is a working space that is 'away' from your main relaxation and/or sleeping spaces. It is exceedingly nice to not be reminded of work in the evenings and weekends. A separate room is a luxury but there may be ways to set up your space so that the desk doesn't actively remind you of its presence.
Other things I find helpful are daylight, and a view.
posted by plonkee at 4:01 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I've been working remotely for eight years. I just wanted to recommend a habit- it's helpful to get ready in the morning as if you were going to an actual office, and then go outside for a walk before you start work. Getting that early morning sunlight is good. Otherwise there's a risk you'll just roll over and open your laptop when you wake up and not get out of bed for hours, and that will definitely make you feel worse.
posted by pinochiette at 4:44 AM on September 18, 2020 [12 favorites]
posted by pinochiette at 4:44 AM on September 18, 2020 [12 favorites]
I have headphones from Jabra which will talk with my phone and my laptop without re-pairing. not having to swap them back and forth is awesome: I can do a video call, then go straight back to music. (We're down to two distance learning kids plus me WFH right now, plus my wife, so having good sound isolation is important.)
The packaging says not to use them with your laptop via Bluetooth, but instead to use the little USB dongle. This is a correct statement, and they work better this way. The boom mic is good because when I swing it up, it mutes itself. The battery life is fantastic!
They are Jabra Evolve 75 headphones: usually expensive, but they have been a very good thing.
Also, I worked on my laptop's 15" screen for weeks before getting an external monitor from work. That was much better, and then I went in and found a huuuuge monitor on the e-waste pile (it has a big vertical scratch down the dead center, bit i ain't picky) and running with two big monitors has saved me a lot of squinting and hunching. It's spendy, so at least try to afford one big display.
(I am still hunting for a chair that will fit my looong legs without costing $200. No one has much in stock for me to try out!)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:00 AM on September 18, 2020
The packaging says not to use them with your laptop via Bluetooth, but instead to use the little USB dongle. This is a correct statement, and they work better this way. The boom mic is good because when I swing it up, it mutes itself. The battery life is fantastic!
They are Jabra Evolve 75 headphones: usually expensive, but they have been a very good thing.
Also, I worked on my laptop's 15" screen for weeks before getting an external monitor from work. That was much better, and then I went in and found a huuuuge monitor on the e-waste pile (it has a big vertical scratch down the dead center, bit i ain't picky) and running with two big monitors has saved me a lot of squinting and hunching. It's spendy, so at least try to afford one big display.
(I am still hunting for a chair that will fit my looong legs without costing $200. No one has much in stock for me to try out!)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:00 AM on September 18, 2020
Like Slarty Bartfast suggested, I have a couple of small USB fans that are plugged into a hub: they blow on my legs or my computer (which gets hot!) to moderate the temperatire.
I used a USB hub that has power buttons for each port, so I can use a super cheap fan without its own poewr button that way.
Also consider a small light to shine on your face so you actually show up during video calls; there are a ton of these to choose from, and you could even use a cheap booklight with a clip. (There are other tips on video conferencing in this short, free, and very good e-book called Take Control: Zoom Essentials.)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:07 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I used a USB hub that has power buttons for each port, so I can use a super cheap fan without its own poewr button that way.
- Sabrent 4-port USB hub with switchable ports, eight bucks
- Arctic Breeze Mobile fan for maybe ten bucks?
Also consider a small light to shine on your face so you actually show up during video calls; there are a ton of these to choose from, and you could even use a cheap booklight with a clip. (There are other tips on video conferencing in this short, free, and very good e-book called Take Control: Zoom Essentials.)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:07 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
It may go without saying, but your workstation has to be reserved for that one use. No taking stuff out every morning and putting it away every night.
posted by SemiSalt at 6:13 AM on September 18, 2020
posted by SemiSalt at 6:13 AM on September 18, 2020
Obvious: good ergo setup including good chair; good desk; good mousing setup. I need a footrest (a children's ikea stepstool works for me, luckily.) Headset with microphone for calls, especially as you're in a shared space.
Less obvious: ring light. Either a tripod one or, if your desk space is limited, one that clamps. Not only do you look better on Zooms (which sounds frivolous until you realize that it's the same "how you present at work" issue that makes you comb your hair etc before coming in the office;) but my spouse swears it reduces his eyestrain. Also, neaten up the space behind you that's going to show in your background.
He's also using blue light blocking glasses which he says are helpful.
A small desk fan.
If your room is carpeted, a hard plastic mat so that your chair can roll.
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:26 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Less obvious: ring light. Either a tripod one or, if your desk space is limited, one that clamps. Not only do you look better on Zooms (which sounds frivolous until you realize that it's the same "how you present at work" issue that makes you comb your hair etc before coming in the office;) but my spouse swears it reduces his eyestrain. Also, neaten up the space behind you that's going to show in your background.
He's also using blue light blocking glasses which he says are helpful.
A small desk fan.
If your room is carpeted, a hard plastic mat so that your chair can roll.
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:26 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
I have a whole top of the line sit/stand desk with Steelcase chair and dock with all the peripherals for my laptop... and I never use it, because what I really want is to crumple on my work couch by the window with a lap desk.
Your best work space is wherever you'll feel most productive, and that's more psychology than ergonomics. For me, coziness helps from getting distracted. The desk's vibes is all "Time to Get to Work", which triggers the rebel neurons in my brain to drag me back to the living room. The work couch is more "~~coooomfy reading nooooook~~" and tricks me into wanting to hang out for extended periods. I used to feel the same about big padded armchairs vs hard wood chairs/desks at the school library.
posted by Freyja at 6:47 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Your best work space is wherever you'll feel most productive, and that's more psychology than ergonomics. For me, coziness helps from getting distracted. The desk's vibes is all "Time to Get to Work", which triggers the rebel neurons in my brain to drag me back to the living room. The work couch is more "~~coooomfy reading nooooook~~" and tricks me into wanting to hang out for extended periods. I used to feel the same about big padded armchairs vs hard wood chairs/desks at the school library.
posted by Freyja at 6:47 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
My work-from-home setup is a small IKEA desk (the very smallest MICKE), a fun and funky desk chair, a Roost stand for my laptop, an external mouse and Bluetooth keyboard, and a mousepad with a wrist rest. Seconding some soft lighting in front of your face for Zoom. When I need headphones, I just use the Apple EarPods that came with my iPhone; I love them. Of all of these, the best investment was the laptop stand because I was getting a terrible case of “text neck” from looking down at my screen.
posted by capricorn at 6:54 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by capricorn at 6:54 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Lighting is important, particularly if you will have to do video calls, but I have found it helps generally with focus and eye strain. I have this lamp and it does a great job of lighting my face and my workspace both. I have it so it is pouring light down on me during calls and it looks good. It’s a good alternative to a ring light.
I also have a workspace in a living area, and I find that I REALLY don’t want to use my desk for other stuff than working. You may feel differently, but I recommend being prepared to have that desk be work only and do household management stuff elsewhere.
posted by jeoc at 7:59 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I also have a workspace in a living area, and I find that I REALLY don’t want to use my desk for other stuff than working. You may feel differently, but I recommend being prepared to have that desk be work only and do household management stuff elsewhere.
posted by jeoc at 7:59 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I am a fan of variety. I invested in a Serta chair on Overstock which was affordable and super comfy. I also have a portable, adjustable laptop stand, external monitor clamped to the back of the desk with an arm that is tall enough to adjust the monitor to comfortable eye level whether I am sitting in my recliner on wheels, standing and typing on the laptop on its stand, or using my under desk treadmill (mostly don't type when I'm doing that). Having a way to move while working has helped my focus immensely.
My laptop stand can also be used as a lap desk, either sitting upright or at an angle to work supine. I have a disability and the ability to work while lying down, or sitting in bed, or sitting at the desk, or standing, or walking has been wonderful for my morale.
I'd also recommend a room divider to separate the working space from the living space if you can afford it. I don't keep mine up much but it's handy for video calls when I don't want people to see what is behind me, and psychologically helps separate work from life if that is something you need.
Also just invested in a task light to replace my old desk lamp as it flickers and starts to give me a headache. Look for one that can be adjusted to shine right on your face, as if you have this you don't need a separate ring light.
posted by crunchy potato at 8:01 AM on September 18, 2020
My laptop stand can also be used as a lap desk, either sitting upright or at an angle to work supine. I have a disability and the ability to work while lying down, or sitting in bed, or sitting at the desk, or standing, or walking has been wonderful for my morale.
I'd also recommend a room divider to separate the working space from the living space if you can afford it. I don't keep mine up much but it's handy for video calls when I don't want people to see what is behind me, and psychologically helps separate work from life if that is something you need.
Also just invested in a task light to replace my old desk lamp as it flickers and starts to give me a headache. Look for one that can be adjusted to shine right on your face, as if you have this you don't need a separate ring light.
posted by crunchy potato at 8:01 AM on September 18, 2020
Lots of good advice here - one thing that's really helpful for me is to have something to fidget with while on one.more.goddamn.Zoom.call. to keep focused. Could be something quiet (stress ball) or louder if you can be on mute to not distract others.
Also having a nice notebook makes it way more likely that I'll take legible notes, which is another way I make myself pay attention.
posted by Twicketface at 8:25 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also having a nice notebook makes it way more likely that I'll take legible notes, which is another way I make myself pay attention.
posted by Twicketface at 8:25 AM on September 18, 2020 [2 favorites]
Oh yes, seconding something to fidget with! I bought sand animals.
posted by capricorn at 9:38 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by capricorn at 9:38 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Standup desk, drafting stool, outstanding views. Dedicated corner or office you can physically walk away from. Buddha board.
posted by j_curiouser at 9:42 AM on September 18, 2020
posted by j_curiouser at 9:42 AM on September 18, 2020
Seconding the Jabra Evolve 75.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:43 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:43 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
My critical components are:
Raised monitor clamp arms like this - they come in single/double/triple/quad formats, with gas lifts or not, there are many choices, but this is how I get my monitors off the desk and up at eye level.
IKEA LINNMON tabletop in the length of your preference, with the very cheap legs. I use two of these to make an L-shaped desk, and most of IKEA's carts will fit underneath it to make "drawers".
I use a Jumbo Helper Shelf over the top of my beloved Logitech Wave wireless keyboard, so I can keep a sorter of pens and a paper notebook right in my face. I also use the m570 trackball instead of a mouse, for RSI reasons.
Dual-monitor docking station so I can have two monitors (on a dual-monitor clamp arm) plus my laptop screen.
My two favorite fidgets were accidental: strong magnet cord-keepers, coil hair ties (which I also use for cord management). Both are excellent to quietly play with on Zoom calls.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:55 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Raised monitor clamp arms like this - they come in single/double/triple/quad formats, with gas lifts or not, there are many choices, but this is how I get my monitors off the desk and up at eye level.
IKEA LINNMON tabletop in the length of your preference, with the very cheap legs. I use two of these to make an L-shaped desk, and most of IKEA's carts will fit underneath it to make "drawers".
I use a Jumbo Helper Shelf over the top of my beloved Logitech Wave wireless keyboard, so I can keep a sorter of pens and a paper notebook right in my face. I also use the m570 trackball instead of a mouse, for RSI reasons.
Dual-monitor docking station so I can have two monitors (on a dual-monitor clamp arm) plus my laptop screen.
My two favorite fidgets were accidental: strong magnet cord-keepers, coil hair ties (which I also use for cord management). Both are excellent to quietly play with on Zoom calls.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:55 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
I don't think I saw this mentioned, but upgrading our Internet package to the highest available speed has been great. In particular, with Comcast's Gigabit package we get significantly higher uplink speed which is great for video calls.
Distributing that internet around the house is the 2nd most important thing -- we have a fairly large home and the coax connection (and thus the modem/router) is at the other end of the house which makes WiFi, even with extenders, sketchy. We have 4 tp-link Powerline Ethernet adaptors -- one connected to the Comcast modem, one in my office, one in my wife's office, and one on the Peloton.
posted by elmay at 10:57 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Distributing that internet around the house is the 2nd most important thing -- we have a fairly large home and the coax connection (and thus the modem/router) is at the other end of the house which makes WiFi, even with extenders, sketchy. We have 4 tp-link Powerline Ethernet adaptors -- one connected to the Comcast modem, one in my office, one in my wife's office, and one on the Peloton.
posted by elmay at 10:57 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Oh, yeah, we only recently had Spectrum come bring us their modem because ours wasn't capable of the 400gbps plan we already had, and my husband is moving huge files up and down from servers all day. Huge difference. He did compare running ethernet to the router compared to our Eero mesh network and the difference (for his purposes) was negligible.
posted by Lyn Never at 11:42 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Lyn Never at 11:42 AM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
Something that enables you to put your work stuff literally out of sight once you’ve finished for the day. It might be a door (if you have a specific work room), but as you don’t it might equally be a box or a drawer.
The physical act of putting away the work paraphernalia is a really helpful part of keeping work/home boundaries, and drawing a line under the working day. For me, not being able to see the work kit during non-working time is equally helpful.
posted by JJZByBffqU at 12:04 PM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
The physical act of putting away the work paraphernalia is a really helpful part of keeping work/home boundaries, and drawing a line under the working day. For me, not being able to see the work kit during non-working time is equally helpful.
posted by JJZByBffqU at 12:04 PM on September 18, 2020 [1 favorite]
If you actually have to do a LOT of videocalls and you have a room to yourself I strongly recommend a speakerphone that plugs into your computer instead of a headset. Headsets are incredibly uncomfortable over time, and good speakerphones work just as well.
Other than that, something pretty to look at on your desk is nice, especially if you don't have a view.
posted by ch1x0r at 6:10 PM on September 18, 2020
Other than that, something pretty to look at on your desk is nice, especially if you don't have a view.
posted by ch1x0r at 6:10 PM on September 18, 2020
- A shoebox-sized plastic box from the dollar store, to collect used mugs and plates as the day goes on.
- A long phone charger
- Talk-headphones that live at your desk just for Zooms
- An extension cord well positioned so charging gadgets is easy
- Good lighting and a room setup that quickly becomes a tidy, appealing Zoom background, ideally including a large plant because people with plants look better on Zoom
- Something to raise your webcam to eye level for better Zoom shots
- My fidget of choice is casual doodling with a watercolour set!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:45 PM on September 18, 2020
- A long phone charger
- Talk-headphones that live at your desk just for Zooms
- An extension cord well positioned so charging gadgets is easy
- Good lighting and a room setup that quickly becomes a tidy, appealing Zoom background, ideally including a large plant because people with plants look better on Zoom
- Something to raise your webcam to eye level for better Zoom shots
- My fidget of choice is casual doodling with a watercolour set!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:45 PM on September 18, 2020
Internet connection that's mostly good enough.
A desk at the right height.
A monitor bigger than that of a laptop.
Lighting to keep the room, well, not cave-like. Bunch of $7 lamps pointed away from me.
A chair that doesn't hurt to sit in... but honestly imperfect, so I get up and stretch now and again. This helps, because imperfect is *way* cheaper.
Jug for water. Coffee pot at least a one minute walk away from me. Some snacks.
posted by talldean at 3:30 PM on September 24, 2020
A desk at the right height.
A monitor bigger than that of a laptop.
Lighting to keep the room, well, not cave-like. Bunch of $7 lamps pointed away from me.
A chair that doesn't hurt to sit in... but honestly imperfect, so I get up and stretch now and again. This helps, because imperfect is *way* cheaper.
Jug for water. Coffee pot at least a one minute walk away from me. Some snacks.
posted by talldean at 3:30 PM on September 24, 2020
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Jilder at 10:53 PM on September 17, 2020 [10 favorites]