How to WFH with Style
As we settle into a longer work from home situation, at least for the foreseeable future, we’ve created a guide to help you stay productive (and happy!) day in and day out. Although six months in, many of us have had time to adjust to working from home, transforming our mainly comfort-focused homes into efficiant workspaces can still be challenging!
To start, the first thing you need is a dedicated desk or table that you can make your workspace. Research shows that it’s better for your mental health to keep the spaces you work, sleep, and relax in separate. While working from your bed or the sofa is definitely a lot more comfortable, in the long run it ends up hampering your ability to get meaningful work done.
If you don’t have a desk or table that can become a dedicated workspace, we recommend IKEA for their well-designed and affordable solutions! Their desks are simple to set up, minimalist in aesthetic, and user-friendly. The sleek TÄRENDÖ style featured here is both compact enough to fit into most spaces and spacious enough to work on.
Once you’ve got your desk standing, your workstation should allow you to get down to business while inspiring your creative juices. Decorate with accessories that speak to you for a look that’s stylish, functional, and motivating to be in. In addition to the esential items you need, make sure to incorporate elements that are joyful and will reduce stress. Even if you’re crunching numbers all day, working in an aesthetically pleasing space will energize you!
Also shown to reduce stress levels are plants! Breathe some life into your space by bringing nature to you. Not only do plants clean the air, but they evoke calmess and clarity. Whether you top your desk off with a small potted plant or bring in some larger leaves on the side, plants will brighten your and transform your space into a green oasis. Some good, easy-to-maintain indoor plants are palms, money plants, succulents, and air plants.
In staying connected to the outdoors, setting up your desk near a window will allow natural light to flow in and feed the plants, keeping them (and you) lively! When you’re alert and energized, you’re also at your most efficient. Natural light enhances your levels of focus and concentration while you work. It also ensures good health and wellbeing by providing Vitamin D! For focused illumination, incorporate an adjustable desk lamp on the table or a floor lamp. This brightens up your working area and reduces strain on the eyes. Lastly, there’s no light like candlelight - we love to have a candle burning for a cozy feel!
When working home for long periods of time, it’s essential to have a workspace that’s neat and organized. The cleaner it is, the more welcoming it is to get back to the next day! Having baskets or bins on your desk or nearby helps designate paperwork and other supplies away from your work surface. Because a clean desk is important in staying focused on the task at hand, we recommend rattan storage baskets that are both stylish and useful! Whether it’s stationary, art material, tech hardware, or more, these come in various sizes depending on what you need to store.
Making your space as inviting and motivating as possible will breathe new life into the second half of 2020! While you need a workspace that’s separate from your other spaces, blending it in as much as possible with your existing decor will keep it easier on the eyes. As we settle into another season at home, let’s try and make it as seamless as possible!
