In 2020 our lives changed completely, the COVID-19 pandemic transformed what was considered the ‘norm’, and created new norms that molded the way we lived. One of these new norms is the work from home culture, and it has continued well into 2022. We’ve been working from our homes for almost a year now, and although we have adapted to it, it can be quite a bore at times. I, for one, am always looking out for options and ways to spice up my work-from-home routine. And I’ve found that adding new products, giving my home office a makeover, and looking for quirky designs to amp up my productivity really does help! Hence, here’s a collection of interesting, super functional, and productivity-enhancing designs that promise to be the best work from home investments of 2022.
1. M1 Mac Mini
We generally fancy our laptops for the ease of portability and convenience. But if you’re someone like the YouTuber Scott Yu-Jan who despises a laptop; you’ll appreciate the Portable Mac Mini that lets you leave the laptop behind, yet travel light with a handy computer at your service when you may need it.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designer Scott Yu-Jan took to YouTube with an idea of a portable M1 Mac Mini, that paired with an iPad Mini, can be a MacBook alternative for the heavy-duty workaholics who would want to enjoy the power of M1 on the go without owning a MacBook. The DIYer, designer, and creator has made the Mac Mini really portable so that it would allow you to take your M1-powered workstation anywhere and use it conveniently as long as you can plug it into a socket.
What we like
- The contraption comes complete with cable holders, a quick-release clasp, and an Allen key
- Portable design
- A good alternative to a MacBook
What we dislike
- Some people might consider this design a bit of a hassle
2. COMM
COMM offers a touchscreen display that shows the different functions. The main functions are as follows: sharing information, reporting, expression of emotions, mutual understanding, and idea suggestions. Your home work environment can “feel” more like a real office with this simple device designed by South Korean designed Eunjeong with Fountain Studio.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can update your computer or maybe by a more comfortable and ergonomic workspace. The goal should always be speed and efficiency when it comes to working so in the area of communication, you must find a better way how to send messages across to a different party. The COMM is a concept device that can help people communicate from home. It’s a simpler way to send and receive messages, give feedback, and deliver what needs to be done. The result is increased work efficiency, especially with the angled screen for more comfortable viewing when sitting down.
What we like
- Helps improve creativity and productivity by showing the information you need sans any distraction
- Better than a smartphone or tablet, as it eliminates the temptation to check other apps
What we dislike
- Limited compared to face-to-face communication, but still not too bad!
What do you think?
3. D-Tach
D-Tach is a versatile stool that transforms into a small workspace designed to accommodate today’s mobile work culture. With each day, our world seems to become more and more mobile. Mobile offices, working from home, and freelance careers are increasing in popularity as we move away from corporate offices. With work culture making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should reflect that.
Why is it noteworthy?
Industrial design student Andrew Chang decided to create a chair that fits the bill. D-Tach is a modular stool design that functions as a traditional office chair, only to disassemble into parts that provide a small working space on the go.
What we like
- Transforms into a small workspace
- Fits into most modern offices
What we dislike
- We’re unsure how comfortable would the small workspace be to actually work in
4. Yohann’s iPad Pro Stand
Sculpted into a shape that permits ergonomic usability and comfort, the iPad Pro Stand from Yohann boasts a final form that allows for multi-angled usage, achieved by reducing the light, thin profile to its bare necessities.
Why is it noteworthy?
Keeping track of all of our smart electronics and their accessories can get messy. Depending on what you use them for, smart appliances guide us through the week and keep us on top of our personal and work-related agendas. 2016’s Apple Pencil, for one, was designed for iPad Pro but has a tendency of getting lost. Yohann, a sustainable brand passionate about crafting wooden Apple accessories, created a wooden iPad Pro Stand with a built-in Apple Pencil holder so there will always be a place to store it.
What we like
- Features an exact slot for your Apple Pencil to slink into when not in use
- You’ll never use your Apple Pencil again
What we dislike
No complaints!
5. uuma
This portable table and chair combo is made from fiberglass, which offers the unit its much-needed portability and durability. Fiberglass by virtue is a sustainable and pretty affordable material, it is also lightweight and robust in nature. The customizable furniture unit comprises four parts primarily that can be removed or put together with minimum know-how. The modular parts of the uuma include a height-adjustable metal leg – forming the central frame – and the lower and upper table layers.
Why is it noteworthy?
During the work from home regime, there may be times when you want to move to the balcony/garden and work while soaking in some sun. It seems easy with the choice of outdoor furniture, but if you have tried – you know – meeting the comfort of the workstation outside is not possible, and you end up cutting the adventure short, only to return to the more efficient work environment. With the umma the scenario is alterable. You can have a comfortable seat that can raise or lower on demand and can be clipped open to reveal a height-adjustable table. This table and chair can then be equally comfortable whether you choose to place it outside or inside in your home-office nook. This means, with uuma you can work wherever and whenever you can find the right motivation and creativity you need for your work.
What we like
- Can be used in multiple setting both indoors and outdoors
- Highly portable and durable
What we dislike
- The design may not be very ergonomic or comfortable to work on for long hours
6. The Propr Office Containr Slim Rolling Pedestal
The Propr Office Containr Slim Rolling Pedestal is perfect for organizing + decluttering your workspace! The minimal furniture design features two drawers. The top drawer is equipped to hold smaller items, while the bottom drawer stores larger items.
Why is it noteworthy?
The furniture piece stores your office supplies in a handy manner, ensuring you don’t have to go around looking for them at all times. In fact, the bottom drawer even features an anti-tip mechanism to support and stabilize the product. It has four hidden wheels, which makes it super easy to move from one corner of the office to another.
What we like
- Hides neatly under your desk
- Portable form
What we dislike
No complaints!
7. The AirPoint Mouse finger-wearable presenter
The AirPoint Mouse finger-wearable presenter is an interesting 3D or desktop mouse. You can deliver brilliant presentations with this intriguing 2-in-1 gadget! You can control the cursor with quick wrist movements and intuitive air gestures. The Ring has touchpads on both sides!
Why is it noteworthy?
The AirPoint Mouse finger-wearable presenter helps you deliver your presentations in a more professional and streamlined manner. It features a spotlight, magnifier, and pointer. In fact, you can even use it as a desktop mouse. It’s a multipurpose gadget that helps you carry out your day-to-day tasks in a more efficient manner!
What we like
- Multipurpose design
- Compact and lightweight form
What we dislike
- There are similar wearable designs like this on the market
8. The Blis Home Office Desk
This cool desk design keeps the wire clutter to a minimum for a clean look, hiding them from plain sight in the funneled legs. While it gives the impression of a very simple desk, there are inclusions that enhance the tidiness aspect further. There’s a sleek groove on the back section to store anything from files, papers, or pens to folders or charging cables. This section has an embedded board on top to pin all your important tasks, reminders or calendar events, or photos of loved ones to be always in a blissful frame of mind.
Why is it noteworthy?
The desk has an elevated section on the other side for planters, pen stands, or other props to keep things organized without much effort. On the bottom, there is a storage box that can move independently in the vertical direction too. The designer has incorporated the wooden inserts with the highest quality surface laminates by Wilsonart for years of durability. The Blis Home Office Desk comes in cool white silver, black, and dusted grey finish that will go with any home interior without a semblance of doubt.
What we like
- Keeps the wire clutter to a minimum
- Sleek groove on the back section for storage
What we dislike
No complaints!
9. The MOLO
The MOLO comes in a monolithic design and can hold a computer or monitor with strength and durability. It can help you ensure your desk is as well organized and functional as you need it to be. A well-managed working environment can enable you to focus on the tasks at hand. Your workstation with a MOLO at the center can inspire you to do your best. As the Molo keeps its place securely on your desk, you can be reminded to be grounded and responsible.
Why is it noteworthy?
Since we are not going back to the office anytime soon, we must continue making sure our work area is clean, clutter-free, and efficient. If you’re on the lookout for new stuff for your home office, you may want to consider improving your desk situation first. Get a computer desktop stand to elevate your monitor or laptop and place your smartphone and other things there. The MOLO is an ideal computer stand with its static design and more.
What we like
- Strength + durability
- You can hide the keyboard underneath the MOLO when not in use
What we dislike
- Seems more like an eye candy, than a highly functional design
10. The 5° Chair
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve leaned back in almost every chair I sit in. If I have the room, I’ll tilt back until I hit that sweet spot and let the chair teeter back and forth. Some of us have fidget spinners and some of us lean our chairs all the way back. Designed specifically for those of us who share that same tendency, Seoul-based design firm 250 Design built the 5° Chair, an office chair that can rotate 360°, lean back and forward, and tilt from side to side.
Why is it noteworthy?
The chair’s seat plate cozies up to and hugs your hips for support from the bottom, with added cushion for comfort. Similarly, the backrest plate forms to the shape of your back to bolster your posture and encourage an upright spine. The 5° Chair’s legs are reinforced in the core with angled wave springs that can tilt in any direction, while the chair’s spindle can lean from side to side, 5 degrees from its center point. The rotatability of the 5° Chair allows it to adjust to your body’s natural movement, offering support from every angle.
What we like
- Adjust’s to your body’s natural movement
- Embedded wave springs provide the chair with stationary mobility
What we dislike
- Does not feature wheels
