Description:
My remote workspace is basically a corner of my bedroom. Any creative home/garden tips for making a small WFH setup feel more separate, inspiring, and less like I’m always ‘at work’ even when I’m not?
6 Answers
Room dividers are your friend! Even a tall plant or a bookshelf can create a visual separation. Also, having specific 'work' lighting that you turn off at the end of the day helps signal brain that work is over. And pack away your laptop if you can!
I got one of those secretary desks that closes up. So when its closed, its just a nice piece of furniture. Pricey, but worth it for my sanity. Also good headphones to block out home noise during work.
PLANTS! Lots of plants around my desk. Makes it feel a bit like an oasis. And a comfy chair is non-negotiable. Seriously, dont skimp on the chair even in a small space. Your back will thank you.
Use vertical space. Shelves above the desk for work items, pretty storage boxes. Keep it tidy. A cluttered space makes my brain feel cluttered, esp when its also your relaxation space.
I used to work from a single lamp-lit corner of my tiny bedroom and thought I could just "turn off my brain" at 5pm. Then one night I packed my laptop in a cereal box because I was too lazy to open the closet, my cat slept on the keyboard, and my ex left a passive aggressive Post-it on the duvet because they said the room felt like an office 24/7. It got messy and weird, real fast.
Try sensory boundaries instead of just visual ones. Pick a small rug or floor mat as a literal step-over threshold and only stand on it while working. Use a unique scent or diffuser that you turn on for work time and off afterward. Wear a "work" shirt and change when you finish. Create a shutdown box where all work gear lives and close it at day end. On the tech side make a distinct desktop user or wallpaper and a separate browser profile for work so notifications and tabs stay separated. If plants stress you out, fake ones or a simple photo of greenery work too. Little rituals like these do more for your brain than another shelf.
try changing your background on video calls to something cozy or fun, it tricks your brain into feeling like a different space without rearranging furniture
Join the conversation and help others by sharing your insights.
Log in to your account or create a new one β it only takes a minute and gives you the ability to post answers, vote, and build your expert profile.