With COVID-19 restrictions still in place and companies offering work-from-home options, many students are finding themselves setting up at-home offices to work from. For students living with family or roommates, this can lead to difficulties finding space to work. In many houses and apartments, the living room is one of the most spacious rooms, which is why so many choose to set up an office space there. It may seem like a daunting task, but it can be done.

 

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Let the sunshine in

Most living rooms have at least one window. If you have curtains, open them and let some natural light in. This will help create a better atmosphere in your work environment, especially if you cannot get outside much during your workday. You may be able to open the window when it is nice out so you can get some fresh air while you are working. Consider setting up your workspace next to a window if you know your mood is better with natural light and fresh air. However, if you catch yourself getting distracted by staring out the window, you may consider moving to a different part of the living room.

Be mindful of others

Even though you have your space set up in the living room, keep in mind that if you live with your family or roommates, the space is a shared space. Be mindful of this if you need to hop on a Zoom call or video conference that needs to be confidential. If you find yourself being distracted by the noise and activity of others, consider investing in noise-canceling headphones to help block out some of the noise. Using headphones can help keep others’ information private if on a confidential call or conference.

Distractions be gone

While it is impossible to fully eliminate distractions, you can take actions to help minimize the temptation you have to do things other than getting work done. You may have a TV and/or video game consoles in your living room that may be calling out to you as you are attempting to do your work. Consider setting your office space on the opposite side of the room of these distractions, and put the TV remote where you will not be tempted to reach for it.

Have what you need

If you know you will need your laptop charger, your phone, and phone charger, and other items, make sure you have them in your office space. Make sure you are within reach of an outlet or have access to an extension cord with extra spaces for chargers. Having everything you need handy before you get started will help eliminate distractions and stop you from making excuses for getting up every two minutes. Having to get up to get things you need breaks your concentration and it will take time away from tasks you were doing.

Having what you need also includes having a table or desk and a proper chair for completing your work shifts. See if your roommates or family will allow you to rearrange things to make sure you have the room you need to have your desk set up. If your current desk or table will not fit in your allotted space see if you can find one online that will fit your space and what you need on a desk.

Create an atmosphere

Many offices do not allow for employees to personalize their workspaces, but since you are working from home, you have the ability to add a personal touch to your atmosphere. If you have a favorite scent, consider lighting a candle or diffusing some essential oils. Hang up paintings you love or frame a favorite quote to help you stay motivated throughout your day. Having this dedicated space will help you stay calm while still getting the feeling that you are working in a traditional office setting. You may even decide to have a theme around your office space based on things you like. This will help ensure that your décor ties together and that you are creating the space that works best for you. For some, minimal is best. For others, having a lot of décor and other items nearby can help them be in the space and focus on their tasks. Find what works for you, and do not be afraid to change it up as you need.

Consider portable options

Since your living room is likely shared with family members or roommates, you may want to consider having a portable setup if possible so you can move things out of the way when others want to utilize the space. This may include using a laptop instead of a desktop and using a foldable desk. You can set things up at the start of your workday, but once you are done, you can simply fold everything up and put it away so everyone else can access the whole room without having to worry about your office being a hurdle.

Setting up an office for working from home can seem challenging, but getting creative will allow you to maximize your space while making it into something you will feel comfortable working in.