If you work from home, you know your home office space is like a sanctuary.
Not only does it need to be comfortable and work-conducive, but it also needs to include some tools that keep you efficient and healthy. After all, you spend a lot of time in there.
That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite office/work investments from this past year that have helped improve my home office and work day in big ways.
All of them are less than $100, too—so if you’re still struggling with a gift idea for a friend who freelances or works from home, these are fantastic (and affordable) ideas.
(I’m not using affiliate links or being paid to promote these products—just purely recommending them based on my unbiased opinion.)
1. Space Heater
This mod-looking space heater is a recent addition, and it helps keep me warm and cozy in my home office during winter months. There are a lot of windows in my workspace, and I’m always cold anyway—so this has been a game-changer. Bonus: It doesn’t take up much space, and Brooks, my furry co-worker, is enjoying lying in front of it.
2. Essential Oil Diffuser
I couldn’t find the exact one I have, but this is close. I know a lot of people are on the fence about essential oils—and while I don’t think they have any magical powers—I do enjoy the subtle, calming scents. Mine automatically shuts off after two hours, so I use it in small doses rather than having it run all day while I work. My favorite oils to diffuse are Thieves by Young Living and Eucalyptus.
3. Foam Roller
If you’re sitting at your desk for 6-8 hours a day, you’re going to get stiff. I try to use this trigger point foam roller a few times a week (especially on my back) to loosen things up. I also take it with me on car trips.
4. Yoga Mat & YogaGlo Subscription
Speaking of being stiff from sitting—I’ve made it a priority this year to get out of my chair and move each day (or most days, at least) by rolling out the yoga mat and doing 10-30 minutes of yoga. I really enjoyed my YogaGlo subscription that made it easy for me to find on-demand yoga videos organized by duration, type, style, and goal. I let my subscription expire a few months back when I had some health issues that kept me from using it much, but am thinking about signing up again. You can send gift credits for subscription, which makes this an easy gift option for the holidays.
5. Outdoor Hammock
Okay, so, not really office equipment…but…hear me out. Brandon surprised me with this hammock when I got back from a conference in Austin this year and I absolutely fell in love with it. We put it beneath two massive trees in our backyard and it quickly became my favorite place to eat lunch and take breaks during warm weather days. It’s comfortable, affordable, and very relaxing. I’m so glad I had this to enjoy this fall because it helped me get outside more instead staying glued to my computer all day.
6. Reusable water bottle
I strive to drink 64 oz. of water each day, so having a fairly large water bottle that I only have to refill twice per day helps me keep track of my progress. Plus, it keeps you from buying hundreds of pre-packaged water bottles (yay, environment!)
Small investment, Big Reward
These are just a few of the things I’ve come to use on a daily basis in my work space, but if you’re looking for more recommendations about tools, office equipment, and writing resources I love, be sure to read this post, too.
This article originally appeared in my newsletter, A Cup of Copy. Sign up and get these free tips sent right to your inbox every other Wednesday.