The rise of digital commerce and E-business have given rise to a huge shift in the American workforce – 45% of Americans telecommute, meaning about 53 million people in the country work from home at least part-time. The traditional 9-to-5, commuter-based workday is giving rise to more flexible hours and a shift to working from a home office. Every telecommuter’s workspace looks different – some workers can afford full home offices, while others make do with a laptop and a spot on a couch.

For anyone who spends their workdays at home, these simple home office accessories can maximize productivity and comfort.

Laptop Cooling Fan

For many home-based workers, part of the job entails using their own laptop to complete their daily tasks. To improve your laptop’s performance and extend its overall lifespan, invest in a laptop cooling fan and keep it connected anytime you’re working. An overheated laptop can lead to several long-term performance issues – reduce your laptop’s operating temperature for a smooth workday. No need to spend a fortune: 20 to 30 dollars will buy you a powerful laptop cooling fan.

Multifunction Printer

You don’t want to take up valuable space in your home with bulky machinery. You most likely don’t need a high-resolution scanner or an advanced fax machine – you can find all-in-one machines that print, scan, copy, and fax without cramping your home office. Your home office is your only place to store and send documents, so invest in a small multifunction printing device to save space and money.

Space Heater (or a Heated Blanket)

Depending on the climate where you live, winter can be unforgivably cold. When you work from home every day, if you’re not careful you could find yourself with a staggering heating bill. Instead of cranking up the heat throughout the house, buy a small space heater for right by your desk to save money. Or, if you’re the type that likes to bundle up, consider investing in a heated blanket to drive down the bills even further.

Wireless Telephone Headset

If hour-long conference calls are a standard part of your workday you shouldn’t be holding your smartphone between your shoulder and your neck unless you’re dying to visit the chiropractor. Wireless telephone headsets free up your hands to complete other tasks like responding to email while you talk, and are better for your posture. Plus, cellphone radiation emissions could really be harming you in the long haul – stay on the safe side with a wireless telephone headset for your home office.

Wurf Board

Working from home empowers you to set up your desk in unconventional ways. Standing desks get you out of the chair and boast numerous health benefits. By investing in a Wurf board you can combat fatigue from prolonged standing by incorporating micro-movements into your default stance. By improving posture and relaxing your muscles a Wurf board will keep you energized, comfortable, and stress-free so you can be more productive and focused throughout the day.

Working from home comes with its own unique set of challenges, but with a few wise investments you can streamline your home office and set yourself up for success. Don’t forget to buy the most important home office accessory – an alarm clock! After all, when your commute is ten steps the hardest part of the day is getting up.