4 Tips for Setting Up Your Temporary Home Office

Make yourself comfortable, but not too comfortable.

When working from home, it can be tempting to plop yourself down on the couch or stay in bed with your laptop- don’t! It’s important to keep your work life and regular home life as separate as possible so that it’s easier to get into the zone during the workday, and relax and wind down once 5 o’clock hits. If you don’t have a desk and a comfy office chair, your dining room table can be a great alternative.

Limit distractions as much as possible.

If you find yourself working from home and don’t have a spare bedroom to transform into an office space, you’ll want to select a location that will provide you with as few distractions as possible. Working at your kitchen or dining room table? Make sure that your workspace is clear of clutter and nonessential items. If you’re working within eyesight of a TV, keep it turned off.

Good lighting is key.

Ideally, you will want as much natural light in your office space as possible. Working in a dark room, especially if your job requires you to be on the computer for most of the day, can strain your eyesight and make you feel groggy. Open the curtains or blinds while you’re working and let there be light! If it’s a cloudy day or the room you’re working in doesn’t have adequate windows or overhead lighting, invest in some floor lamps or desk lighting that will help brighten your space.

Opt for closed storage.

The last thing you’ll want while working from home is stacks of papers strewn across your workspace- even if they are organized into folders. If mountains of paperwork comes with your job, make sure that you have a good filing cabinet and filing system set up to keep your papers and your sanity together. Your desktop should be reserved for your computer, notepad or any other essential items that are currently in use.