How many of us spend hours of our days in the same space using the same tools for our work and work meetings day in and day out? I know I do! For me, this means a few things: I want my space to be functional, efficient, high-quality, and pretty. Today I have rounded up most of the tools I use on a daily basis to make my workday easier to manage.
AUDIO
If you're looking for an easy-to-use microphone that can make you sound like you belong on NPR, the Shure MV7 is an excellent option. One of my favorite features of the Shure MV7 is that it can be powered via USB or XLR, making it convenient to use in various settings. Microphone and headphone volume can also be adjusted directly on the microphone with soft-touch buttons.
A couple of things to be aware of with this mic:
1 - The Shure MV7 is a dynamic microphone with low-output. That means that when using this mic, you need to speak directly into the mic for it to pick up your voice. The serious benefit of this type of mic is that it will significantly reduce background noise from cars driving by, the washing machine running, or small children bouncing around the house.
2 - This microphone does not come with a stand. Keep in mind how and where you want to position your mic and pick a stand that works for your setup.
These two are also great stand options:
There were a couple of things I had in mind when considering a new microphone setup:
1 - I need to take notes during a lot of my meetings, so I knew I didn't want the microphone to get in the way of my keyboard/mouse. This meant that I needed a microphone on an arm/boom.
2 - I knew that I didn't want a stand that would get knocked around easily if I bumped it (I'm always bumping things, let me tell you).
This stand is great on both accounts. It is easy to set up and manipulate, and it is heavy (I mean, heavy), so it doesn't budge when I bump it — the perfect combination.
VIDEO
Raise your hand if you find yourself needing to be on camera these days! I'm with you. If that's you, this camera is a great option to improve the quality of your video. The camera is 1080p resolution at 30 fps. It also has an auto-focus feature that will keep you looking crystal clear. Setting it up is as easy as plugging it into a USB port. Voila, you're ready for your close-up. Even better? It won't break the bank.
This stand is the perfect pairing for your webcam. Bonus: the setup could not be simpler. The webcam attaches to the top of the stand with standard-sized threads. From there, you can adjust the height, angle, and direction of the camera. The stand is low-profile enough that it can be tucked right behind a laptop screen or monitor and be effortlessly out of your way.
Good, easy-to-use, affordable lighting options? Yes, please. This ring light & stand from Amazon are affordable and easy to set up in a flash. It can be powered via USB or plugged into an outlet. It comes with a phone clip accessory and camera remote so that you can up your after-hours selfie game, too. Shadows? We don't know her.
OFFICE ACCESSORIES
Who feels like straining their eyes while working on a PowerPoint or spreadsheet? Not me. This 32” big-mama of a monitor is a part of my office line up that I use day in and day out. I picked mine up at Costco for a steal! Be on the look out for a good sale.
One of my favorite office space additions I've ever made has to be this keyboard from Lofree. I have the light blue color that is showcased in this post, highlighting this keyboard's best features. I purchased this keyboard years ago, and I love the tactile, backlit keys. This extra-loud clicky keyboard is a voracious typers' dream come true. Bonus: it can be plugged into USB or connected to your device via Bluetooth.
Are you working from home and still trying to use the trackpad on your laptop? If so, how? There are few things I loathe more vehemently than laptop trackpads. Do yourself a favor and snag this gorgeous wireless mouse. Bonus: if you have multiple Logitech bluetooth devices, they can be paired to one USB adapter and save your port space. (Also, consider a trackball. I love those, too!)
It will come as no surprise that with a light, camera, microphone, keyboard, and mouse I quickly found myself running out of USB space. This little champion has been great & works perfectly to plug in all of my desk accessories
One part of my office that no one really sees is my keyboard/mouse area. On the other hand, I stare at it all day, every day, so I want it to look nice. This keyboard mat works well with my wireless mouse. It wipes down easily and keeps everything looking cute & tidy.
I don’t use this monitor stand for my second monitor, but I do use it to set my laptop on to reduce strain on my neck. The small drawer just underneath is a convenient place to tuck extra cords out of the way.
We can't always control the curveballs our day may have in store for us, but having a few useful tools can help us prepare for the pitch. I know that if I am on a video call, I can control: my audio, my video, and my lighting. If I am working on a spreadsheet, project plan, or presentation, I can control whether or not I have the tools I like best to help me get the work done.
These tools all made the list slowly over time after trial and error, finding out what works best for my routines. My recommendation for anyone working on their home office setup is to start small and do what works for you!