With the rise of remote jobs, I know more of us are working from home than ever. As someone who works from home frequently, I’ve taken the time to set up my home office so it’s comfortable and is a space I can be productive in for long periods of time. If you’re still working from the couch every day or are in an empty room with a desk… we’re gonna need to stop that and upgrade. This one’s for you- I’m laying out 5 tips to improve your home office so you can have a more enjoyable workspace and work life.

Designate a Dedicated Workspace

One of the most important ways to improve your home office is to designate a specific area solely for work! Get rid of any distractions and set everything up so all of your work needs are met. If you don’t have a spare room to create a full office at home, choose a quiet corner or space where you can comfortably work and focus. A nice desk and comfy chair are always a worthwhile investment- if you’re uncomfortable, there’s no wayyyy you’ll stay working there for 8 hours plus. When you go to your dedicated workspace, it will tell you it’s time to buckle down, concentrate, and get shit done. Plus, it will feel like you have some separation between work and life even though you’re in your home.

Bring in the Natural Light (and Proper Lighting)

Natural light can seriously impact your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being. If possible, position your desk or workspace near a window to get as much natural light as you can throughout the day! If you don’t have that option, investing in quality light fixtures is crucial. Not only does this lessen the strain on your eyes but I promise you, you’ll be so much more comfortable. There are a ton of affordable natural light therapy lamps on Amazon if you live somewhere that doesn’t get too much sun.

Organize and Declutter Regularly

I don’t know about you, but working in a cluttered space makes me feel stressed and anxious. I need a clean slate to be productive. When things get a little messy, taking the time to organize and clean is a huge priority for me. I try and do this daily at the end of my work day, but if it doesn’t happen, I’ll take 15-30 minutes to organize everything on Sundays so I start my week on the right note. Storage and organizational products have been my best friend in keeping my workspace neat!

Make it Personal

You can’t have a home office without making it personalized… otherwise, it just feels like a stuffy office building. Adding in decor is the fun part. Include art, photos, plants, or other decor in your workspace to bring in all the positive vibes and keep you motivated. If it’s your thing, a vision board is also something that could be beneficial for your office as it displays all of your goals and aspirations which hopefully can help get you through on those days you’re just not feelin’ it. Make it your own and I swear you’ll be much happier.

Establish Boundaries and Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance

There are a lot of perks to working from home, but I will say one of the major cons is that maintaining a healthy work-life balance can become a lot more difficult. The lines between work and personal life can become blurred, which ultimately is going to lead to burnout. I’ve been there… not fun. All I have to say is boundaries, boundaries, boundaries. Establishing them and maintaining them is a MUST. First with yourself, then with co-workers and the people you live with. Decide where your lines lie then communicate them with your team and with cohabitants. Setting up clear work hours is something that has helped me, as well as taking regular breaks to step away from the desk and recharge. It might be hard at first, but ultimately it’s going to lead to a healthier and more sustainable approach to working from home.