Here’s How to Make Your Home Office a Peaceful Place to Work
Working from home has both advantages and drawbacks. Sure, we can take meetings in our pajamas and make yogurt parfaits for breakfast, but the concept of a “home office” risks blending the critical line that separates your work and your personal life.
Creating a dedicated home workspace can help reestablish those boundaries. By removing clutter and doing a bit of decorating, you can reduce distractions, improve your productivity, and mitigate stress when you are working from home. This Monday, use the tips below to carve out your own peaceful workplace.
Created a Dedicated Space
The most important rule for setting up a peaceful and serene home office is to carve out a dedicated workspace. Answering emails from your bed or coffee table breaks down the barrier between work and life, so it’s important to have an area for when you’re “on the clock.” If you don’t have a lot of extra space, look to invest in a wall desk that you can easily pull down when needed.
Rid Yourself of Clutter
A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind. Use space-saving technology like step files or plastic drawers so you have a spot for every loose item. That being said, there’s always room for a few trinkets to keep you calm during the workday. We recommend a little Zen garden or a stress ball, but you can pick anything that relaxes you.
Add Some Green
A little green can go a long way. Adding live plants to your desk or office space can boost your mood and reduce stress while freshening up the air and adding a nice aroma to the room. Try starting small with some low maintenance plants like cactuses, herbs, or succulents and work your way up.
Adjust the Lighting
The right lighting can make your workspace more comfortable. Light intensity can affect your mood, so if you’re looking for something more subtle and relaxed, try a desk lamp with softer lighting or a dimmer that can control brightness.
Turn on Background Noise
Silence can be surprisingly distracting. Keep yourself focused and on task with some background music, white noise, or a soothing soundtrack. You can also breakup the downtime with a guided meditation, which will lull you into a state of tranquility.