How to Create a WFH Office with Your Existing Furniture

The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to relocate our workspace into our homes for the first time. While working remotely can be a nice break from going into the office (thanks coronavirus!), an ongoing work-from-home (WFH) situation can be challenging especially if you don't have a dedicated workspace set up at home.

If you're having trouble concentrating and being productive when WFH, here are some tips on setting up a WFH spot that will keep you comfortable and productive in the upcoming weeks!

1. Repurpose furniture into a work desk

It goes without saying that you need to have a dedicated workspace to work (or at least try to get some work done!) from home. However, many of us don’t have a home office to work from and don’t have a spare room to convert into a home office.

And since furniture shops are currently closed and aren’t able to arrange home delivery during this MCO period, you'll ideally want to create a temporary work station using things you already have around your house. You can repurpose furniture such as a console table, vanity table or dining table as a temporary work area. Another option, consider devising a "standing desk" out of a bar counter. When it is time to sit down, just pull up a bar stool!

Don’t: Even if you live in a small home or a room, it's best to avoid working in your bed or the sofa to create mental boundaries. Otherwise, you'll begin to associate your bed with work and may have trouble falling asleep or relax after work.

2. Sit in comfort

Since the WFH situation during the coronavirus outbreak came in as a surprise, you probably didn’t have time (besides stocking up essentials) to purchase a comfortable chair for your temporary home office.

However, you can still find the next best solution by shopping around your home to try to match up the table or other surface that will allow you to work without hunching over/bending down to see the computer screen. Select a chair with the right height and support your back with a cushion to prevent neck and back pain when spending hours in front of the computer.

3. Get connected

Make your workspace conveniently located near a power outlet, or look for a multi-plug extension cord so you can plug in everything you'll need such as computer, phone, printer, at the same time. Ideally, you should work in an area of the house with a strong Wi-Fi signal to help you stay focused when completing work tasks.

4. Use lights to enhance productivity

Working from home often deprives one of that feeling of going out in the day for work. But, if you set up your home office in a spot where there’s plenty of light, like near the window, for example, you will definitely notice a difference!

It’s important to note that good lighting does not necessarily mean bright lights that can cause computer screen glare, which can lead to eye-strain. Good lighting can create a comfortable atmosphere and will instantly lift up your mood and keep you motivated at work. So for better work productivity, make sure your workspace is filled with good sources of light.

5. Tidy up your space

Now that you have a dedicated workspace, make sure that it is organized and free from clutter. Studies have shown that our physical environments significantly influence our cognition, emotions, and behaviour. Unorganized spaces can negatively impact our stress and anxiety levels, both at work and home.

So tidy up your space and get rid of things you don’t need or use to create an uncluttered area that will allow you to boost your focus at work. Creating a tidy and clean space is also important to avoid distractions when you do video calls.

6. Decorate your workspace

Sure, this may just be a temporary solution, but adding a little personality or decorating your temporary workspace with items that ‘spark joy’ will make it a more pleasant spot to spend time on. Live plants, for example, help to purify the air, increase oxygen level and it has also been proven to increase work productivity. To enliven your temporary workspace, consider decorating it with some indoor plants.

Explore: 5 Low-Maintenance Houseplants to Decorate With

Trying to create a calming vibe? Scented candles, an aromatherapy diffuser or soft, non-distracting background music can give you a positive energy and flow when working from home.

Happy Working!

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