Keeping your work life separated from your home life is essential to maintain a healthy work/life balance, but that can be really hard when you work from home. If you have a spare bedroom in your home, consider turning it into a home office!
Having your work area separated from the rest of your house will enable you to fully relax when you are at home and not working. You can even have some fun by putting a sign on your office door with “Hours of Operation” to remind yourself to stay out when you’re off the clock!
Here are a few essentials to turn your spare room into a home office!
Desk
If you have been working from your bed, couch, or kitchen table, the first step towards turning your spare room into a dedicated workspace is getting a desk or table to work at. This can be an expensive purchase, but keep these two things in mind: you are making an investment AND you can always thrift desks or other tables!
Set your desk in the perfect spot in the room for you. If you are easily distracted by the world around you, then don’t set your desk in front of a window. If you want to have a little sitting area to take your work breaks at, set your desk at one end of the room to make space for a loveseat or comfy chair. This is also a great opportunity to get a desk that is height-adjustable, so you can figure out if you prefer sitting or standing while you work.
Chair
Once you have your table or desk, you will need to get something to sit on while you work. Make sure your chair is comfortable and ergonomic if possible. You’ll be spending a lot of time on it, so you want to make sure there is a good balance between the style and the long-term comfort of the chair.
If you find a chair in the exact style that you are looking for but it doesn’t offer great back support, you can always incorporate a lumbar support cushion or pillow!
Lamps
Using lamps rather than overhead lighting will make your office feel cozy while also adding a nice bit of decor. A desk lamp would be a great addition if your desk area is near an outlet, and a floor lamp could also be used to brighten the whole room. If you plan on incorporating a little sitting area, then a floor lamp would be a great addition to that space.
If you want extra lighting without a ton of lamps, you could also use string lights to brighten the room while adding extra ambiance!
Plants
Adding a few plants will truly bring this space to life. If you don’t have a green thumb, or if you have concerns about watering a plant near your computer, just incorporate artificial plants!
You will still have the natural element to make your office feel like a polished space without the responsibility (and potential mess!) of having potted plants in the room. You could also place fresh or artificial flowers in the room for the same effect.
Personal Decor
While lamps, plants, and even the furniture you pick out will contribute to the style of your office, a great decorative addition would be more personal or sentimental items. This could include photos of loved ones, souvenirs from your travels, cards and postcards from long-distance friends, or any concert/festival/movie tickets you might have saved.
Personal decor can motivate you to keep on working hard by reminding you who and what you work so hard for. Maybe you are saving up for an event or trip, and seeing the places, people, or activities that you are working towards can be an incredible source of inspiration!
Still looking for a home with a second room to use as a dedicated office?
The Mews Apartment Homes offers modern apartments with useful amenities in a warm and active community, and it’s pet-friendly!
Our team of leasing professionals can show you around our beautiful property and wide-ranging community amenities. With studio, one, and two bedroom floor plans to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect home for your lifestyle. Schedule a tour today to find your new home!