Home Office Game Changer Items You Never Knew You Needed

A woman working from home told a joke on a Zoom conference call, but no one laughed. Turns out she wasn't remotely funny. (Wink-wink!) Oh come now, that was clever, you have to admit!

Seriously speaking, according to Global Workplace Analytics, before the pandemic, about 80% of employees already had the desire to work from home, at least part-time, and over a third were willing to accept less money just to have that option. Now that the coronavirus has forced the issue for many businesses, employees are beginning to demand that employers change their policies to match. And although most businesses have still not quite caught up to the current trends, they're under tremendous pressure to do so. Slowly they're realizing remote work has advantages for them, too, not the least of which includes saving money on office space!

A Great Place to Work says before the pandemic, 5% of people worked remotely, whereas 60% were remote by May of 2020. Their own study involved 800,000 Fortune 500 employees over two years' time, and definitely indicated that productivity improved over time, with employees who experienced a positive work culture and strong leadership in particular. Overall, the results prove that if companies give their employees the proper support and guidance for working remotely, productivity actually increases. The reality is, there are many professions that have the potential to be done at least partly remotely, and there's a large percentage of Americans setting up shop at home, so they can do just that. Here are some items to consider for your home office space that you might not even know existed.

The first item on our list is called the Desk Board Buddy, and it is unbelievably handy. The gadget fits right above your keyboard as you work, and is made with a tempered glass front, a convenient dry-erase whiteboard to jot notes in a hurry. Lift the lid to find the hidden organizer beneath! Additionally, on the top rear of the Desk Board Buddy are slots that hold a cell phone, a tablet, and a dry-erase marker. The message board face is made with scratch-resistant, stain-resistant, premium tempered glass. Utilize the Desk Board Buddy when you have a terrific idea you don't want to forget, are on a call and need to write something down quickly, think of something you want to remind yourself of, write a list of daily tasks, or copy a daily quote or a positive affirmation for each day.

You can choose either black or white for the best match for your home office decor. You can also use it as a keyboard tray, which will angle it towards you for even easier access and typing. It fits snugly between your monitor and your keyboard, or next to the keyboard on your laptop. You can purchase these directly from the manufacturer for $69.99. Or, Amazon has one by TOWON that has everything the Desk Board Buddy has, plus a calculator, for $36.58. Amazon's item comes in black and gray, and has great reviews on their website with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, from 110 global customer ratings. You may not know you need this, but once you have it, you won't want to be without it!

If you work from home, there's a good chance a large part of what you do is writing (typing). Additionally, if you're an author or a poet, this gadget is perfect for first-draft, distraction-free writing, no matter where you are. Free from device notifications and internet distractions, this handy device will improve your daily word count and boost productivity. The Freewrite Alpha Distraction-Free Typewriter is lightweight and portable, and has a small LCD screen showing just a few lines at a time. It really has some terrific features, such as its full-size mechanical keyboard (QWERTY), and the ability to type in more than 30 different languages. Additionally, the device has internal storage that automatically saves up to one million pages of text in the device itself, and wi-fi capabilities for syncing with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote, or simply use the Alpha cloud service that comes with the device to save files to your other devices.

The Alpha also boasts a 100-hour battery life, and charges with a USB-C port. It has an integrated palm rest for maximum comfort, there is no blue light emitting from the LCD screen, and there is a hidden kickstand that allows for a 15-degree angle. According to Liliputing, the LCD screen is reflective, so it can be used in bright light or outside in the sun and still be visible. Gadget Flow has this product for just $249, which is $100 off the retail price from Freewrite. There are reviews here as well, with a score of 9.0 out of 10 stars, an excellent product rating. If you're writing a book, or can do a lot of your writing without constantly fact-checking yourself via the internet, this helpful tool won't disappoint. Something to think about, certainly, especially if you've ever experienced writer's block!

Everyone knows a critical piece of equipment in your home office setup is a pair of headphones with a mic, for handling phone calls professionally. The Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise Cancelling Smart Headphones are the only pair you'll ever need for your home office, and they come in several colors for whatever your style or design: classic black, midnight blue, white smoke, and eclipse gray. This item retails from the manufacturer for $329, but they do offer a price match if you find a lower retail price elsewhere. The Bose name is well known for its impeccable high-quality speakers and state-of-the-art sound technology, and the QuietComfort 45 headphones are no different. First of all, these are lightweight and made for comfort; with padded, over-the-ear style. Wireless of course, with Bluetooth for dependable connection. High fidelity sound, as expected when purchasing the Bose brand, and these headphones come complete with a built-in equalizer, too.

But probably the best feature is the Acoustic Noise Cancelling™ technology; the culmination of over five decades of study and research by the manufacturer. An opposite signal is used to cancel outside noise, and here's the game changer: You can choose between Quiet Mode or Aware Mode, depending on what you're doing at the moment. For example, if you're on a business call, you'd choose Quiet Mode for full noise canceling. But working from home often means kids or spouses are at home, and you need to keep "one ear open." In these cases, choose Aware Mode to balance what you're listening to through the headphones with the surrounding noises outside. Reviews on Google rate the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones at a 4.5 out of 5 stars, with some complaints regarding music sound quality, but most people are very happy with this product.

Next on the list of essentials for your home office, we have the Logitech MX ERGO Advanced Wireless Trackball Mouse. Now I know what you're thinking; you already have a mouse that works fine, right? Or you're thinking, a mouse is a mouse, what could possibly make this one so special? This mouse is different in so many ways, starting with its unique ergonomic design and thumb-controlled side trackball. This eliminates the need to move the mouse, at all, which could reduce fatigue and hand pain. The design has a 0 to 20-degree tilt for the best hand and wrist placement angle to avoid fatigue, and it's able to tilt left or tilt right for right or left- handed users. You can buy this gadget from Logitech for $99.

This mouse actually holds a full charge for up to 120 days. Not only that; just a one minute charge gets you 24 hours of work time! But everything terrific so far is just the cake; the frosting is about to come. The really unique and valuable feature of the Logitech MX ERGO is that you can use it to control two different devices at the same time. Not only that, but it even works between macOS and Windows, or an android and an iOS smart device. The mouse has a button on the top to easily switch between two devices, saving individual settings for each, and enabling you to transfer or copy files, pictures, and text from one computer or device to another, while actively interacting with both screens. This makes this item truly a game changer, and a piece of technology you can use to dramatically increase productivity. Reviews on their website give this product a 4.0 out of 5-stars possible, and customers seem genuinely impressed. Shop around for a better price, like $79 at Mercari.

HomRest has this amazing chair in light gray for the decent price of $208.99. For these kinds of features, this is a great deal that takes all the worries out of sitting in a desk chair for hours. It's ergonomically designed with an extra padded backrest and can hold up to 300 lbs. comfortably. The chair is made with high-resilience foam and features a timer for either 15 or 30 minutes of massage. There are a lot of desk chairs out there that can really get expensive, but this one seems to have everything at a very reasonable price. The reviews on the website give it a 5 out of 5-stars rating. The chair has a thick, wide headrest for cervical support and extra padding in the lumbar area, as well as padded armrests. It features rolling wheels and an extensible footrest.

Additionally, it has a 360-degree swivel function and remote control for the 8 different modes of massage you can choose from. People reviewing the chair say that it works great and takes about 20 minutes to assemble and they were able to work 8 hours in the chair with no fatigue or other issues. Having a good office chair at home is probably one of the most important parts of being productive and comfortable while you work. Be sure you find the perfect one for you without having to sacrifice quality. Office Interiors says ergonomic chairs are important because they improve posture, reduce pain, and enhance productivity. There are many benefits employees experience when they are given ergonomic chairs, so do yourself a favor and get a good home office chair for yourself.

Walmart sells this Comfier Shiatsu just in case you didn't get the massaging office chair, and for just about the same price of $199.98. In many ways, this chair pad is just as good as going with the massaging chair, as it has heat, massage, air compression massage, and more. The chair pad has Shiatsu rollers and four massage nodes for back and neck configurations. It has three settings for air compression massage for the lower back and hips area as well. Then it has heat, and different intensity settings through Shiatsu balls, which warm and knead key areas of your body. Use all the functions at once, or find the combinations that work best for whatever kind of muscle pain or strain you may be experiencing. This is definitely the 'deluxe' of chair pad type massagers, and something you're going to want to splurge on for yourself, one way or the other!

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with hundreds left and an overall score of 4.8 out of 5 stars. Many mention the high quality of the massager and the responsiveness of the manufacturer as being excellent. Overall this massager seems to be one of the best on the market. After all, shouldn't one of the big perks of working from home be that you can stay perfectly comfortable throughout your workday? And really, for those of us who have jobs we can do remotely, that's the key to being more productive, as well. If we are comfortable while working, then we can work indefinitely and be happy. When more employers realize the incredible perks for them in hiring remotely, including the huge pool of talent suddenly at their fingertips, these positions are going to explode.

This is a home office must by Gear Elevation, and serves two purposes while also looking beautiful on your desk. By now, most people know the benefits of aromatherapy, and additionally want their space to smell lovely. This gorgeous essential oil diffuser does its job well, while changing colors and displaying a light pattern that looks like a big firework eternally exploding in colors. It also doubles as a humidifier for those dry climates and days to add a bit of moisture to the air when necessary. The price tag is $74.99, but this little gem is well-made and will certainly get you many compliments. It has an automatic shutoff timer and you can choose one color or all the colors will rotate for a radiant light show that resembles fireworks going off while it diffuses the essential oil of your choice.

Are you aware of the multiple advantages of aromatherapy? Different essential oils can help ease pain and anxiety, lower stress levels and induce relaxation, or energize and uplift your senses. Try different ones for different reasons, or stick with the ones you know work best for you. This is one of those items you may not realize you need, but will be so glad you have, once you use it. There was just one review on their website for the item but it was 5-stars. If you order this item, however, be sure to order with the correct connection for where you live, as it has different ones for Australia, Europe, UK, and USA. There are also lots of different designs for this type of product for whatever your taste and style may be.

This item can be found on Amazon for about $150: The Ancheer Pedal Exerciser mini cycle that fits under your desk! What a terrific item you didn't know you needed, especially since you're going to be so comfortable in your massaging chair or chair pad. Of course, you can't neglect exercising either, so why not be set up for both? This neat setup is designed to be used under a desk, so it won't require any extra room. It is battery-powered and has a maximum weight of 350 lbs., with a smooth and quiet pedaling mechanism. It has two pairs of pedals to set up for both arm and leg exercises, with eight levels of resistance. According to Yale Medicine, sitting and being inactive for long periods of time is bad for our health, leading to cardiovascular issues, lower back pain, and spinal problems, among others. The more often you can be active throughout your day, the better.

The reviews for this item are excellent overall with 4.5 out of 5 stars and people talking about how much they love how quiet it is and how easy it is to put together. The unit doesn't move around under your desk when you use it or interrupt your workflow in any way. This is one of those things that you'll be glad you get, as it's important to stay motivated in maintaining your health. Definitely a home office must-have.

This item from StackSocial is definitely important for your home office as well, and will help your eye function at the same time. The Oculamp will cost you about $120, but it will keep your eyes safe from the blue light most harmful to them. What makes this desk lamp special is its ability to keep your body's circadian rhythm in sync by controlling the blue light emitted, and naturally syncing your body with the appropriate time of day, depending on the lamp's setting. The three settings are cool white for the brightest light, neutral white for working longer hours in a calmer white light, and warm white when you need to wind down for the evening hours. Most bulbs emit blue light that blocks melatonin, which can throw off your body's natural clock. This lamp is different, and is especially helpful when you already stare at a computer all day.

The Oculamp is rechargeable and takes about three hours to charge, and you get over 30 hours of light from each full charge. It's easy to fold up and take with you, wherever you're working, plus, it doesn't need an electric outlet. This is the ideal desk lamp for working and keeping your eyes safe from yet another blue-light emitting source. This product has a Google rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and seems to be enjoyed by most people who purchased it.

The last item on our list is purely for fun and tension release, but is essential nonetheless! Of course, it's not a voodoo doll, but instead get the Official Dammit Doll, created to represent the Achilles heel in your life, the recent ex who broke your heart, or just as a symbol to take your anger out on. For around $20 bucks each, you can choose from characters like Dammit Skeleton, the Ex Doll, the Sweet Tooth Doll, or the Junk Food Doll. These dolls are made to be indestructible so you can take your frustrations out on your Dammit! Doll. What a great invention this novelty item is, and rounds out the list of game-changer items for your home office you never knew you needed!