With 57 million U.S. workers now part of the gig economy, according to Forbes, not to mention 3.7 million employees who work from home, more people than ever need a home office stocked with the essentials to do their job.

From entrepreneurs to PTO presidents, remote workers to bloggers, almost everyone needs a dedicated workspace to stay motivated and organized.

Use our office essentials list to fill your space with things for your home office, and you may even increase your productivity. In fact, you won’t have to run out to the office supply store to make photocopies – or even the coffeehouse to grab a latte.

Start with Electronics

A laptop? Dual screens? An ultra-portable laptop/tablet hybrid? Whatever you decide to use as your primary computer, you’ll need a solid internet connection. For desktop units, consider a hard-wired connection to boost your upload and download speeds – especially if your job involves dealing with graphics or videos. But for most tasks, a solid WiFi connection should keep your workflow moving.

Other home office essentials include a printer/scanner/fax combo, USB charging station, and of course, your smartphone. For a consistent look, consider getting a customized phone case to match the rest of your home office décor.  

Customize Office Supplies for a Cohesive Look

Personalized planners, customized notebooks, and matching binders can brighten your office décor and promote your personal brand. Even if your customers never set foot in your home office, giving your small business a corporate look by adorning supplies with your own logo will help you feel legit if imposter syndrome starts to sink in.

Don’t forget a custom pen with a matching case for jotting down notes and keeping your planner or calendar up to date.

Mark the Days with a Fun Wall Calendar

Even in the digital age, a wall calendar is important to help you keep track of your month at a glance and keep important deadlines front and center. Choose a calendar with images that inspire you or create your own customized design.

Choose the Right Lighting to Boost Your Productivity

If you have options for where to place your home office, choose a room with lots of natural light. Then, employ task lighting on your desk for reading and other detail work. Consider using tunable, white LED bulbs. The next generation of smart lighting solutions, these bulbs can be adjusted to match the natural lighting for any time of day, which has been shown to boost productivity.

Pick the Right Caffeine Source

On the topic of productivity boosting, many of us can’t live without our mid-afternoon coffee or tea. Keeping a single-cup coffee maker or electric tea kettle at your desk or somewhere in your office can help you resist the temptation of your refrigerator when you need a mid-day pick-me-up.

Meanwhile, keeping your favorite mug, with a catchy phrase or snarky saying, close at hand will make you smile.

Make Your Workspace Your Own with these Home Office Essentials

A spacious desk and a comfortable chair are essential for ergonomics, but don’t neglect the spots in your office you may not use every day.

If you’re lucky enough to have a whole room in your house devoted to your work, you’ll need some things for the rest of your home office. As with any room in your home, pulling in similar or complementary colors will create a look that can relax and inspire you.
Choose custom throw pillows for a comfy chair, allowing you to read or surf the Web away from your desk and still get work done. Add motivational quotes to your walls. Home office essentials extend beyond the office supplies you need to do your job and into décor items that make you feel good.