5 Tips to Make Working From Home Work for You
We're starting to adjust to a new normal. And for many of us, office jobs have shifted to working from home at least some of the time. If you're still missing your ultra-ergonomic setup, coffee breaks with coworkers, or the sense of purpose that comes from heading out the door every day, you're not alone. We've gathered our favourite tips for how to make working from home work for you, including ways to keep your routine, home office furniture ideas and tips for elevated decorating.
1. Invest in your comfort
If you've been working at a dining table and chair for months, it's officially time to invest in a more comfortable home office set up. The first thing on your list should be a chair. Prioritize your comfort with an adjustable office chair that works at your desk or dining table. If you've got a spare room or even a spare corner in your living room, add a desk to finally free your dining table from notebooks and laptop chargers. You'll feel more organized in your workspace, and the separation between desk and dining areas can help you to establish a routine. Our Woodland Desk won't look out of place in your modern rustic living room, and sleek choices like our Axl Desk help you carve out a workspace in your bedroom or condo.
2. Upgrade your functionality
Struggling with stray papers or less-than-ideal lighting? Solving the small pain points you encounter throughout your workday can have a surprising impact on outlook and productivity. Add a display shelf or rolling file for more places to keep stationery, office supplies and charging cables. When you're really short on space, a well-placed storage basket makes tidying your living room workspace that much easier. Not enough or poorly placed light? A new functional favourite, the Freidrich Desk Lamp lights up your desk in sleek, minimalist style. If you're short on desk space or need a more thoroughly lit desk, upgrade your home office with a new floor lamp or pendant light.
3. Create a routine
Showering, choosing an outfit, eating breakfast. When you left for work every day there was probably a predictable routine involved, but working from home makes those morning rituals easy to put off. You can shower later, breakfast can happen anytime, and you don't technically have to change out of your PJs unless there's a video call on your schedule. But for most people, following a routine increases productivity and reduces anxiety. Your new routine may be different, so take the time to choose what's important for you to do each day and the best time for you to accomplish them. From putting on real clothes and taking a scheduled lunch break to setting aside time for exercise, sit down at the beginning of each week and make a list of your routine daily tasks. See how it goes and tweak as necessary. There's no point in setting a routine you can't realistically keep, so use trial and error to find the best fit for your job and life.
4. Separate work life & home life
When you work from home, it can start to feel like you're always on the clock. You take calls from clients in the same place where you're supposed to relax and unwind, and it's easier to start your day earlier when there's no morning commute to deal with. Having a dedicated workspace (that isn't your dining table or sofa) can help create separation between your home and work lives. If you have a spare room or empty corner where a compact desk can go, use it to create a work-only space that you can leave behind at the end of the day. It's also a good idea to build time outside of the house into your daily routine. As long as you feel healthy and it's safe to go out in your community, give yourself a reason to leave the house each day. You can build it into the time you would've spent commuting, like a morning bike ride or 5 pm walk around the block.
5. Add personal touches
Your home office or workspace doesn't have to be strictly business. When it comes to keeping you productive and happy, personal touches go a long way. Add a faux potted plant (or the real thing if your office has natural lighting), framed photos, and decorative accents like candles and décor balls. For the most impact and inspiration, we love hanging statement wall art in a home office. Invest in personal touches you love, and your workspace might become your new favourite spot.