In the past five years, the number of businesses that now allow their employees to work remotely at least part of the time has grown by 40 percent. Whether you’re self-employed or one of the lucky ones who has an employer that offers a flexible work environment, you know that having a home office is essential to staying focused and productive, even if your “home office” is your kitchen table.

But it’s not just where your home office is that’s so important. When you give up a traditional office and all of its amenities, you’ll need to also invest in a few essentials to make sure that you have what you need to keep working successfully. If your home office could use an upgrade, keep reading to learn about the home tech you need in 2020.

Google Home or Amazon Alexa

Nearly 28 percent of all households now have at least one smart home device. By 2023, that number is projected to reach 47 percent. But while you might have a smart device like a Google Home or Amazon Alexa, you might not yet realize how useful it can be in your home office.

You can use your smart home device to set reminders or add events to your calendar. When your creativity isn’t flowing, use it to play music that will help re-ignite the spark. If your work involves research, you can simply ask your device a question and keep working knowing the answer, without having to so much as type in a search.

Remote Monitor Your Security System

We spend about one-third of our lives working. When you’re working from home, whether part-time or full-time, you’re spending anywhere from a couple of hours to eight or more a day in there. When you have kids and pets elsewhere in your home or packages getting delivered, you might find yourself constantly finding reasons to leave your office. Every time you do, you have to restart and refocus once you sit back down, which means a disruption to your workflow and productivity.

Your home security camera system can help with this. Knowing that cameras are keeping an eye on your kids, pets, front porch or backyard can set your mind at ease. With a tablet or even your smartphone, you can easily check in on your security system from anywhere. Even if you’re lucky enough to work at home, you can remotely check in on your cameras from your office without having to get up and interrupt your workflow.

Wireless Everything

This might cover a wide variety of home office tech, but it’s a feature that is invaluable in a home office. From your keyboard to your mouse to your printer, going cord-free can do wonders for your work. First, you won’t have to deal with cables that are too short or that get tangled. If you want to sit back on your office couch with your keyboard and type away, you can do so. Another benefit of going wireless is that you’ll get a cleaner, more organized workspace, which can do wonders for your productivity.

Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones

One specific wireless item that every home office needs to have is noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones. When your kids are playing, your spouse is chatting on the phone, the dog is barking or the neighbors are blasting music, your headphones can help you get in the zone with fewer distractions. You can choose to play music or even just leave them on with nothing playing so that any exterior noises are eliminated.

There are even apps and playlists available that allow you to play ambient sounds, like the sounds of a coffee shop or nature. These are great for anyone who doesn’t like to work alone and in silence, but who prefers working from home.

Upgrading Your Home Office With the Latest Tech

If you’ve decided that 2020 is going to be your year to make changes and improve your workflow, it’s time to upgrade your home office. From a security camera system that lets you check in on your home from your office to noise-canceling headphones, this tech can help you stay focused and productive all day long.