Setting up a home office
If you’re working from home for the first time because of COVID-19, you might be struggling to find a work space if you don’t have a home office already. When setting up a temporary workspace, remember a few things.
If possible, use a space that is out of the way of critical activity in your home. Avoid the kitchen counter if possible. Some other spaces to consider are the dining table, a wide hallway, a comfy chair in the corner of the living room or bedroom
Ideally, you would be able to set up and clear away the office quickly. To do this you need to have a place for everything you’ll need within easy reach.
Here’s a simple way to create a work station that can be tucked away when your dining room table needs to house plates of spaghetti and not your laptop!
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Start with a Bar cart. This can be the base for your office center. It’s mobile and can be placed beside a chair or table. It can even be repurposed later as an end table, craft center, or extra serving space in the dining room.
Add a power strip with surge protection and USB ports. If you get a 4’ cord it’s easier to find a convenient outlet. This is great for your phone, computer, tablet, lamp, and (super important to me) a speaker for your work tunes.
Use zip ties to fasten the power strip to the cart so it doesn’t disappear when you need it most. These come in lots of different colors and can be matched to the frame of the cart so they blend in. You can trim the ends off of these once they’re in place to look tidier. These can also be used to keep your cords and accessories tidy.
Choose a task light that can sit on the cart or be moved to your work surface easily. I like one with an arm and adjustable head so it can be directed where I need it most.
Stackable trays can keep your paper and files organized. They can be spread out on a table then easily stacked on the cart at the end of the day.
There always seems to be a plethora of cords, chargers, pens and small tablets around that don’t fit in anything uniformly. Vertical magazine holders work well for this, and pull double duty as a handy spot for reference material.
At the end of your work day, place everything back on the cart and tuck it away. We sourced everything for this bar cart from Target, except for the plant from Moss!
Some additional tips to make your work space better:
Placing something organic in your work space seems like a luxury but improves your mood and brain function. A short, sturdy pot with a plant or cut flowers can live on the cart surface or your work surface. Our favorite local plant store, Moss, is still open for personal shopping appointments at its Cedar Rapids location. They can suggest the perfect plant for the type of light in your workspace.
Oxygenate your brain before you begin working. Go for a short walk outside, climb a few flights of stairs, meditate with conscious breathing, or do your daily workout before you sit down to your new work space. Down Dog Yoga is making its app completely free until April 1st. They offer yoga, HIIT, Barre and more! If your kids are around, you can include them in your movement by trying Cosmic Kids Yoga, which has themed yoga sessions that kids will adore, like Frozen, Star Wars, or a trip to the farm.
Make your workspace bright immediately. Turn on overhead lights, lamps, and open your window coverings. This tells your brain that it’s time to be active. As the day winds down, reduce your lights. This gets your brain ready to relax and prep for sleep.
We are all in this together, navigating a new normal of work and home. Send us your ideas for setting up a work station and any tips or tricks for making the transition to working at home!