Work/Life Balance When Working From Home

When work makes its way into the living space, it starts to feel as if work is everywhere. Work/life balance has always been a challenge, but it’s especially difficult to conceptualize and enforce when working from home. 

While it might feel like work is everywhere and everywhere is work, that's just not the case. Acknowledging your needs, enforcing your boundaries, and remembering you're only human is the start of creating a healthy relationship with work, even when it's so close to everyday life.

NBF partnered with Kelton Global to survey more than 1,000 American workers. We examined how people feel about their work-from-home workspaces and what they need to make their days better and brighter using a combination of finding the right furniture, designing a beautiful workspace, and building behaviors that can create long-lasting workplace wellness.

Ergonomics Are Essential

At the office, your company chose desks, chairs, and supplies they thought were ideal for the entire company. At home, you might not have these workplace essentials ready to go. As you settle into your workspace, consider furniture that is a net benefit for physical health.

We found that 22% of those frustrated with their current space are using outdated furnishings or equipment that impact productivity. Meanwhile, 3 in 10 believe their workspace needs an upgrade. If you're part of either group, make sure that your new-and-improved setup is doing its best to help you stay on task.

Take a Seat

It's no surprise that seating is a constant struggle for work-from-home employees. As you look for the right seat, you aren't bound by traditional office options. Consider finding a task chair with the same support and features that are staples of workplace seating.

Size and Shape

Whether you're big and tall or petite and small, there's a chair that's suitable for your stature. Find a chair designed to fit your body type with as much or as little padding as you'd prefer.

Materials

While the colors and styles are endless, a few standard materials are used in office furniture. Polyurethane and other faux leathers are easy to clean and durable, while real leather is a luxurious option for an elevated office. Cooling mesh can make working a breeze, and fabric can add style without sticking to your skin.

Ergonomic Adjustments

The right combination of adjustments can make your workday experience feel like a dream. Mix and match the right tilt (synchro, knee, or center), lumbar support, arm movements, and seat depth that works for you.

Desk Decisions

From traditional tables to storage-rich setups, desks come in a wide array of configurations and features to help you customize your workspace. No matter what size space you're working with, there are endless options to fit every floor plan, design scheme, and budget.

Desk Height

Standard-height desks are the standard for a reason, but people are turning to standing-height solutions for an added ergonomic benefit. Height-adjustable options marry the best of both worlds for those who like to sit or stand at any stature.

Storage Options

Pedestal desks have a wealth of supply and file storage, while others are lighter on storage and encourage users to use mobile filing cabinets and other storage units to conceal their workday musts.

Tabletop Organizers

Coordinating hutches, both big and small, are there for your right-at-hand needs. These can occupy valuable vertical real estate to further enhance small space work areas.

Set (and Stick to) Boundaries

The boundaries you set with management, coworkers, and yourself will determine the success of your work/life balance. Likewise, leaving loopholes, creating exceptions, and relaxing boundaries can quickly erode any positive groundwork.

After determining reasonable boundaries, communicate them to managers and colleagues. Then? Stick to them. Calendar programs often can set available hours to establish a rough guideline that's visible to everybody, while other nuanced boundaries may need more direct communication.

• Determine what hours are available for meetings and reasonable for responding to emails, calls, and instant messages.

• Decide whether you will check incoming communication during nights or weekends. It's OK if you keep all work-related communication to working hours only.

• Select what applications you'd like to install on personal devices and set notifications to correlate with your available hours.

• Realize that it's OK to keep work time separate from personal time. If possible, determine who can take care of emergencies in your absence should you be unreachable.

Build a Routine

Thoughtful boundaries will naturally establish a workday and workweek routine. Once your working hours are defined, begin to schedule important activities at easy-to-anticipate times—and don’t forget to include what's important to you. These little rituals can have a big impact on workday happiness.

Start Strong

Find the right way to start your day on a positive note. Brew a great cup of coffee, tidy up your desk, or do a quick sweep of your mailbox while listening to your favorite podcast.

Take a Break

Real, scheduled breaks can feel like a luxury when working from home. Build in time for lunch, a quick walk, or any necessary appointments that might conflict with the workday. Even a 15-minute meditation session can make its way into the daily routine as a way to clear your mind and get ready for the next task.

Add a Little Personal Time

While it's ill-advised to blend your work life and personal life too much, it's OK to schedule some time to accomplish a household chore during the day. Use one of your breaks to run a recurring errand or quickly tidy part of your house without feeling guilty for wasting work time.

Make a Perfect Playlist

Everybody has a different ideal soundtrack for their workday. Find a great auto-generated playlist, explore curated collections on your favorite streaming service, or subscribe to a podcast you can play in the background. White noise apps are another great way to keep the room tone lively without adding distracting words or lyrics.

Wrap Up and Wind Down

Ease your way out of the workday mindset with a relaxing task that will leave you in tip-top shape for the next day. Take the last 15 minutes to leave your workspace organized, sterilized, and clean so that your early morning self can start the day off right.

Need a Helping Hand?

When you're alone at home, it's easy to forget that resources are available through your employer.

Employee Assistance Programs 

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) aren't all created equal, but look into what your company offers and keep these benefits in mind. Some EAPs offer free counseling for workplace and personal issues, which can be used as a singular solution or a stepping stone to additional help. Childcare support, legal advice, and gym discounts are commonly available in EAPs, but these programs differ from company to company.

Talk to Your Manager 

The pandemic presented a new set of challenges that impacted every employee differently. Discuss your needs with your manager, including how your personal needs intersect with and affect your work. Accommodations can be made to ensure that employees' professional success and mental health are all accounted for, but sometimes this takes input from one's supervisor or human resources.

The Design Guide for Painting Your Office

The shade of paint you choose can make or break a space. The all-around wrong color, clashing accents, mismatched lighting, and myriad reasons can create a disaster that's all-surrounding during the workday. As you choose your color palette for your home office or corporate workspace, consider the factors that go into a great color scheme that becomes the foundation for a great workspace.

Corporate Offices

It doesn't matter if you're a small business or a corporate giant—designing a professional office space is less about one's personal taste and more about what's best for everybody. Sure, this sounds like it might be a bit restrictive, but that doesn't make any of your choices any less meaningful.

Consult a Professional 

An educated and experienced interior designer will have a wealth of knowledge and recommendations for your space. There's no harm in reaching out to a person who's used to finding the right fit; in the long run, it's worth it. Especially if you're painting multiple rooms, a designer or planner will know how to tell a visual story that compliments your entire office.

Try Before You Buy

No matter who is calling the shots, paint samples are vital to better understand your choices. While conventional paint chips might help, if larger swatches are available, take advantage of them.

No-Brainer Neutrals 

Your primary color will probably be a variation of off-white, light gray, or a faint taupe, and that's not just OK—it's advisable. These no-nonsense colors are tried and true, though they're not as harsh as a bright white.

Agreeable and Accessible 

Be mindful of different employees' needs that may be applicable now or possibly down the road. For instance, colorblindness can affect the way a person perceives bolder accents. People with visual impairments may need an emphasis on bright spaces and proper lighting. Even if this doesn't apply to your current staff, looking toward the future is never ill-advised.

Different Space, Different Mood 

The open office isn't the only space worthy of consideration. Think about how your paint choices tell a story throughout the office, and aim for a cohesive experience that won't distract employees or guests. Be particularly mindful of your reception area. For workers, it's symbolic of the start of the business day, but for guests, it's necessary to make a great first impression with tasteful design.

Acceptable Accents

If you have a big room, it's a given that you have big walls. If you're trying to add an accent wall, avoid doing so on any wall close to employee desking. Entryways, nooks, or infrequently used spaces can benefit from an accent that doesn't overwhelm you. Especially in a main space, consider using your company's colors to offset the ubiquitous neutrals.

Consider Your Upholstery

Are you designing your color palette around your furniture, or are you designing your furniture around your palette? Make sure all choices are well-coordinated, and you're not pairing cool and warm tones that will clash and distract. Be mindful of upholstery on seating or even on cubicle panels.

Creative Conference Rooms

Especially if your business has a plethora of conference rooms, this is a great opportunity to get creative with your color schemes and furniture choices. While you'll certainly want to reserve one as a highly professional space, use smaller collaboration areas to choose interesting colors or out-of-the-box furniture without committing to a large space.

The VIP Treatment

Allow incoming leaders to personalize their private office. Use a wall that isn't completely occupied by large furniture as an accent wall. When one person leaves and another person moves in, ask them what color they'd like it painted. It's a personal touch that won't break the bank or take up too much time.

Home Offices

There's a big difference between an office designed by you, for you and a multiperson office that needs to appeal to all. While you have a lot less space but a lot more flexibility, several considerations can still improve productivity, increase energy, and promote workday wellness.

Push the Boundaries of Neutral

Eggshell, ivory, and alabaster are played out shades of off-white that can stay in the past. In the home and the home office, neutral color palettes can play with different shades of gray and taupe. More daringly, a pastel palette can create a peaceful atmosphere in your workspace that's far from drab.

Invigorate With Paint

If you're trying to create a high-energy space, ditch the neutrals and pastels and embrace bolder, more stimulating colors. If your space allows, use a combination of palatable neutrals and exciting hues for accent walls or details.

Dark Colors Aren’t Dull

For some, dark paint colors can make a room feel serious or studious, which may be what you're going for. If this fits your personality, don't shy away from working with deeper tones to get the right look. If you're working within a small space, try to mix dark and light colors on different walls to keep the space from feeling too cramped.

Avoid Antagonistic Colors 

As you work your way through the rainbow, there are a few less-advisable colors to avoid. For instance, reds are known to inspire anger and intensity. 

Add Accents

Accent colors aren't just reserved for accent walls. Baseboards, molding, fixtures, and other odds and ends are often painted. If you're going to deviate from your wall colors, make sure that you pay attention to these bonus colors so that they don't stand out negatively.

Let There Be Light

If you're lucky, your at-home workspace will benefit from natural light. Even when the sun goes down, there are still major considerations with what lighting you use. Whether overhead lighting or dedicated task lighting, choose light bulbs that fuel your mood. Some people enjoy brighter blue-toned bulbs while others benefit from softer, more docile tones. Not sure? Your smartphone can control many digital light bulbs to find the perfect balance.

Think Long-Term 

We perceive color differently as we age. If you're designing for the long haul, go with a color and design scheme that will be pleasing as you advance. This is particularly true if you're putting together an office for an elderly person. If you've got multiple occupants, collaborate on your palette to ensure it's pleasant for everyone.

Small Space Solutions With Serious Style

Where you work is as unique to you as how you work. Sometimes, you might be stuck working with less real estate than your ideal. These unique layouts pose interesting challenges with creative solutions that need a little extra thought, careful planning, and a selection of furniture that can make the most out of any situation.

Our Brite collection is a mainstay in the modern, minimalist, and flexible home office. With a wide variety of desk sizes and storage types, it's easy to mix and match pieces to optimize your environment. ach piece features superior quality at an affordable price point, allowing you to pair multiple selections from Brite to highlight the qualities of your home.  

The Double-Duty Desk

It's not fair to have to choose between work and play when you're short on space. Instead, find a furniture setup that does both, like the Brite Compact Home Office Set. When building a double-duty space, select furniture that can be assigned a purpose or, for some items, a dual purpose. For the most part, make sure your desktop has enough room to accommodate both your workday mainstays without needing to do much when the day is done. Use storage pieces to keep your intentions separated, dedicating one rolling pedestal to workday supplies and the other to the tools of the trade for whatever you're passionate about.

The Two-for-One Special

Working from home might mean you have coworkers who don't even work at your company. For home offices with 2 or more people, blend form and function with coordinating desking tailored to each person's individual needs. Expansive collections offer a wealth of design options that differ in height, width, configuration, and even tech-ready details, such as wireless chargers or cable management. Let each person pick the right fit for their needs while still adhering to a beautiful design scheme, right down to coordinating seating with the same patterns on different pieces.

The Angular Approach

Many renovated flats, urban apartments, and quirky old houses have curious bonus areas that embrace difficult-to-use spaces. When your main rooms are occupied, it’s great to take advantage of these attics, enclaves, and under-the-stairs escapes. Sometimes you'll need to split your workspace to work within these difficult layouts, opting for multiple desks that are close within reach but not quite together. Fill in the gaps with décor or open-air storage to keep the area from getting overwhelmingly cramped while still giving it a sense of style.

The Cozy Corner

A sliver of the living room or a corner of the dining nook might be your best bet for a work-from-home workspace. While you might share space with a completely different purpose, the need for a focus-friendly setup remains. Choose a desk with built-in storage so your workday musts can all be concentrated in one space, eliminating the need to interact with the world around it and risk becoming distracted. A standing-height desk can also offer flexibility and comfort, especially when paired with a stool that's just the right height for a quick rest.

The Simple Setup

Designing a Remote Work Policy That Works

If we learned one thing during the COVID-19 crisis, it’s that we're a more independent workforce than we once thought. Companies in high-risk areas quickly transitioned to mandated (or highly recommended) work-from-home policies using the tools they already had. It begs the question—how would this have been even easier if preparations started ahead of time?

Lay a foundation for success from the very start. Remaining mindful of employee needs, wants, and everything in between will help your organization thrive no matter where your employees reside. A healthy remote work policy will increase productivity while employees are in the office, so long as they know that they have the trust, support, and flexibility that comes with a well-thought-out remote work policy.

Start Sooner Than Later

Your company should establish your remote work policies long before an emergency strikes. Take steps to implement the tools and rules necessary for success, and consider the different situations that could keep office-dwelling employees homebound for varying lengths of time.

Not all remote work factors are equal. To create the most comprehensive policies, understand the different reasons why employees may become homebound:

• Global Health Risks: These situations are precautionary, but they often occur during the most severe and threatening situations. Directives to stay home can come from a parent company, senior leadership, Center for Disease Control recommendation, or even a government mandate. While severe, there's often enough lead time to allow employees to return to the office to gather files and other items they need to do their job long-term. These measures can often last for a significant amount of time.

• Individual Health Risks: When an employee is recovering from an illness, becoming sick, or transitioning back to work from a medical procedure, it's often advisable to stay out of the office until they're at full speed. These situations often arise suddenly, but there should be clear expectations of productivity to determine whether they should use PTO instead. These measures can range from half a day to a few days off work.

• Inclement Weather: When severe weather strikes, coming into the office could be the difference between making it in for the day or never returning to work again. Depending on an employee’s location and the severity of conditions, it is often advisable to let employees stay put and avoid risk. These are often short instances but hard to anticipate.

Human Resources Is Your Best Resource

When it comes to remote work, there are a few different prevailing schools of thought in the HR community. They can guide you in the direction of what best benefits employees, and, depending on how progressive their policies are, they can recommend solutions to senior leadership and direct managers.

Today's HR departments understand that each department faces unique circumstances, noting that different job duties have different needs when it comes to remaining in the office. Instead of creating sweeping policies that may not benefit every employee, consult the leaders of individual departments to determine the best course of action.

Be Prepared With Software and Hardware

A setup for success starts with day-to-day tools that can work both in-house and remotely. Ensure your hardware and software choices have full functionality in and out of the office. These days, prices are negligible when it comes to choosing between desktops and docked laptops, allowing teams to stay flexible outside the office while making it easier to bring information to on-site meetings.

When it comes to software, use cloud storage solutions to keep files easily accessible at all times. Virtual private networks (VPNs) can protect sensitive data, web-based applications can provide flexible use over an internet connection, and a robust chat system will keep employees in close contact even when they're apart. These tools are just as useful in the office as they are outside.

Create Chains of Communication

When that snowstorm strikes or it's time for nonessential employees to work remotely, a clear and easily understood chain of communication is integral to prevent confusion. Not all employees have cellular access to their work email, making it necessary to communicate through outside channels. You can call it dated or tried-and-true, but a phone tree can be the most logical tool to spread information. Deliver messages to every employee by making it clear that their direct supervisor should contact them in case of closure or emergency, ensuring everybody knows who they should turn to for guidance and instruction.

Your Human Resources Information System (HRIS) may have integrated tools to expedite communication, enabling it to come from a single, trusted source. Whether that's an email blast that goes to employees' personal accounts or a mass text that gives immediate updates for building closures, it's worth exploring the added tools that can streamline the chain of communication.

Embrace a Trusting Environment

Remote work comes with a degree of trepidation. It's dangerous to assume that your perfectly productive in-house employee will suddenly slide off the radar when transitioning to a remote role in an emergency. Just because they're out of sight doesn't mean their work is out of mind. It takes strength in management to remember that work is still the main component of remote work.

Think about the metrics you use to evaluate in-office performance. Every position has benchmarks that you've seen in action—setting those benchmarks as expectations can ensure that remote sessions have the same output as a day in the office.

The FAQs of Remote Work During COVID-19

As companies put emergency remote work policies in place and the workforce shifts toward working-from-home, there are often more questions than answers. Here are a few solutions to the most burning questions about transitioning, implementing, and sustaining a successful remote work program. 

For Employers 

When should we go remote?

Companies should act proactively instead of reactively. Ideally, you want your organization to avoid having any sick employees throughout the pandemic, and the only way to do so is to take swift action. Consider your location, workforce, industry, and capabilities ahead of time, then make an informed decision.

Can I prepare ahead of time?

The most successful work-from-home policies start far before a crisis. If you have the time and resources, begin implementing these steps to make the transition to remote work even easier.

How do I talk to my employees about emergency policy changes?

Remain clear, concise, and calm at all times, relying on hard facts that can be supported by trusted empirical sources. Stay in constant communication as updates emerge, and be receptive to employee questions and concerns.

What if we can't go fully remote?

Take as many precautions as possible and remember that anything worthwhile is still effective, even if it's only partial. Limit air travel, conferences, outside visitors, and even in-office meetings as best as possible. Urge teams to use video and teleconferencing tools.

What about maintenance staff?

Some office staff is essential for maintaining your building. Consider the important roles that administrative staff, groundskeepers, mailroom employees, and other operations positions play; ensure their safety, especially if they need to be on-site.

What can I do to ease the work-from-home transition?

Not every employee has the at-home infrastructure for a successful remote career. Especially in a time where household finances may become tight, consider providing a reimbursement program or stipend for employees to outfit their space. Remain in constant communication to make sure employee needs are met throughout the remote period.

What if somebody has an illness unrelated to COVID-19?

While employee health should always be a primary consideration, now more than ever, all ill employees should be urged to stay home due to any illness, however unrelated to COVID-19 it may be.

What groups are considered high risk?

Age has the largest effect on both mortality and morbidity regarding COVID-19; urge staff over 60 years of age to self-quarantine as soon as possible. From there, encourage pregnant employees, those with chronic illnesses, and other immunocompromised individuals to work from home.

What information can I trust?

Stick to large-scale, largely empirical resources that don’t make assumptions or become overzealous with their data. Several trusted resources, including the CDC, WHO, and SHRM, can be found here.

Are there any legal considerations?

Certainly. Follow federal and state rules and regulations regarding private health information, mandatory sick pay, FMLA (which does not cover the common flu; however it can possibly cover a longer-term chronic respiratory illness), and all ADA guidelines. Consult your legal team or a corporate lawyer for the most accurate information.

For Employees

How can I protect myself against COVID-19?

Begin with the same precautions you'd use during any other flu season. Practice excellent hand hygiene (wash with soap and water more often than usual and supplement with hand sanitizer), cough into your elbow, and thoroughly sterilize surfaces in public areas.

Should I wear a mask to work or out of the house?

CDC recommendations are constantly being updated to reflect the current situation. At this time of updating, it is recommended that a face covering be worn in areas of high community spread, such as grocery stores, public transit, or other group environments.

What do I need to bring home to work remotely?

Printed materials often become lost in the shuffle, no matter where you are. Don't forget the notepads, binders, files, and catalogs you use occasionally. Bring home your peripherals, such as a wireless mouse or keyboard, to prevent fatigue from working day in and day out on a laptop. And, of course, don't forget your charger.

Where should I set up my at-home workspace?

There are endless schools of thought throughout the interior design community, but none suit every situation. Setting up a home office will depend on the size of your space, where you have an area for a desk and storage, and what furniture you need to do your best work. 

What can I do to make remote work as effective as in-office work?

16 Super Simple Upgrades for Your Home Office

The happier you are with your workspace, the happier you will be during your workday. An exciting, energizing workspace is easier to attain at home where you have fewer rules on office décor and can be ambitious with your aesthetic. Here are a few simple, affordable, and fast upgrades you can make to immediately adore your home office.

1. Go One by One

If you don't have the money for a costly home office overhaul, start by gathering inspiration for your finished look and work a timeline into your monthly budget. It's quite costly to get an entire new office furniture suite, but saving up to buy a chair, a pedestal, a desk, etc., can be just as rewarding.

2. Define Day and Night Vibes

If you're using a workspace that shares a room with your bedroom or another often-used space, find ways to differentiate how the room feels during the workday and after it ends. Use an essential oil diffuser to have a "workday" scent for just those working hours, or put hue-changing bulbs on a timer to make sure there's a shift in tone after your work shift ends.

3. Whistle While You Work

If you're the type of person with a workday soundtrack or a penchant for podcasts, think about stepping up your room's audio system for something a little stronger. If you're trying to stay quiet for others around you, a nice pair of headphones can be both noise-canceling and a welcome increase in quality for your tunes or otherwise.

4. Go Green

Fresh foliage can instantly bring your workspace to life! Be sure to pick out plants that match your indoor gardening skill level, amount of sunlight, and climate to make sure that you and your plants will both stay happy.

5. Feel Good, Look Good

When picking out an upgrade, remember the place ergonomics plays in the modern workday. Go for style alongside substance as you choose chairs in particular. The prettier the piece, the less equipped it might be—especially at a lower price point. Splurge on items that help with your posture to get an attractive look with a lot of comfort.

6. Change-Ready Customizations

If you're always ready to hop on a trend, choose easy-to-customize items with replaceable components that don't require buying an entirely new piece. This can be as simple as a slipcover for an accent couch, removable contact paper on your desktop, or a swappable rug topper that adds easy machine washability as well.

7. Love Your Lighting

It's already difficult to enjoy the ambient lighting of a shared office, especially at a larger corporate headquarters, with outdated overhead lighting. At home, small desk lamps, task lighting, standing lamps, and other relaxing ambient setups can make your workday shine, especially if you don't have a lot of natural light in the room.

8. The Sky Is the Limit

Taking advantage of underutilized vertical space is a quick way to add storage and décor. Floating shelves, a tall bookcase, or a corner unit can take advantage of this oft-ignored real estate. You can even use a series of small baskets to add concealed storage for small supplies.

9. Make It Make Scents

Curate fragrances that complement your space and enhance your workday. Bright, energetic citruses and light florals are energy-building options. Stay away from heavy, sleepy smells and overpowering aromas.

10. Do Double-Duty

If you have a dedicated workspace, consider its utility and whether or not it can do double-duty with another area. On the off-hours, a home office can be shared with a middle or high school child to be used as a homework hub, outfitted with a separate workspace for arts and crafts projects, or made into a makeshift music space for instrument enthusiasts to practice within. The options are endless.

11. Switch It Up

Add a second "workspace" to your home office so you can quickly and temporarily work from another peaceful locale. This can be as quick and easy as a C-shaped pull-up table over a lounge chair or a lap desk that can go with you to another area of the house.

12. New Pens, New Stuff

The home office isn't bound by what the office admin ordered for the supply closet. Every staple supply—even staplers—comes in a variety of fun colors and finishes. A sleek new pen cup, desktop organizer, and all the accouterments can give you a new vibe without a big commitment.

13. Like, Really New Pens

It might be a strange take, but fountain pens are are old-school pens with new-school style. Fun inks, colors, wacky designs, and personal flair make shopping for pens an adventure and opens up a community of people who are big fans of this esoteric office supply.

14. Do the Trend; Use the #Inspo

It may seem impulsive to follow a trend you saw on TikTok or Instagram, but these fleeting ideas are often the work of inherently creative people who aren't paid experts. Lean into this easy advice, and don't be afraid to ask influencers or creators questions.

15. Gone Fishing

Bringing an office buddy to your workday is a quick but committed pick-me-up. Even the common goldfish or single betta fish require more care than a simple fishbowl, so consider proper care before deciding if this idea is for you.

16. Try, Try Again

Sometimes you'll try a strategy and just won't like it. Don't be afraid to tear it down and start again if you're not in love with your changes. These are all simple tips, designed to be easy and more affordable than a large overhaul.

Picture this: It's 2020, and you've all but worn a hole in your dining room chair. Every night you have to sweep away a stack of papers to make way for dinner. Maybe your legs are permanently burned from sitting on the couch as your laptop overheats in your lap. Finding a quiet corner to take a conference call? Good luck. Your new "coworkers" are distance learning, taking their own meetings, and barking (Fido is a really hard worker). Your calls are just adding to the fray. Sleeping spaces are occupied all day and all night.

Take your pick from these subpar options—any one of them might hit a little too close to home.

It's probably been a while since you've made your way into the office. And if you're still working through your workflow from home, you're probably past due for an upgrade. Shape your living space into a workspace that's fit to make for a positively productive home office. It's partially intuitive, partially tedious, but 100% worth it for whatever way you work.

The Bare Necessities

Pop quiz! What makes an office an office? We're going beyond "makeshift" and moving toward "ideal.” Whatever defines your workspace, it starts with furniture you can build a room around. There are still some things to consider while you're making the most of any size of space:

Diving Deeper: Delightful Desks

Make sure to measure before you look for your dream desk:

Who doesn't love a well-used corner space? Corner desks are often more compact than their L-shaped desk brethren and often have slopes at the workspace to encourage a diagonal sitting position. This is ideal for maximizing unused spaces or nooks within your house that might look unbalanced with a typical table desk.

Diving Deeper: Spectacular Seating

A superior sit starts with the right features:

An ergonomically-minded workspace is essential for both WFH and at-work workstations. You may have settled for a kitchen chair or gone for a chic seat that pulls the room together, but if there isn't enough support, you’ll feel the effects down the line.

Diving Deeper: Stylish Storage

There's no reason you can't be filing and styling:

Aim for ‘Inspired’

When you're browsing catalogs or eyeing blogs, it's easy to envision your space in the perfectly propped, effortlessly chic interior design of a professional photo. When you're balancing your budget and assembling your needs, that perfection may not be within reach.

The choices you make go beyond a photograph. The aesthetic you desire and the items you can't live without might be at odds, so a few careful concessions can maximize your capabilities.

Trade This for That

Mid-Century Marvelous: It's tough to go top-to-bottom within the ever-trending MCM style. Keep a clean, uncluttered, and minimalist background with a few stand-out statement pieces that feature the splayed legs, blond wood, and skillful slopes of both Scandinavian and mid-century modern design.

Super Simple: Taking MCM out of the equation, a truly minimalist space is often deeply focused on the form and function of your furniture. Since other design items aren't of much concern, make the most of your budget by investing in storage solutions that can keep necessary supplies uncluttered and visibly out-of-the-way. Shop collections that have everything you need to furnish your office or mix-and-match well-coordinating finishes.

Maximalist Impact: #inspo often goes wild, combining potentially impractical décor decisions that you know might break the bank. If you're going for this "more is more" appeal, look for secondhand supplies or delightful discounts to add visual noise while keeping a little budget for more important purchases.

Leave It for Later: Rome wasn't built in a day, and your office might be a work-in-progress for a while. Start with the necessities and aim for the pieces that will make you the most productive, such as a chair that's fit for the long-haul and a desk that has everything you need. The rest? Pencil it in for later.

Do Double-Duty

Pro: Double-duty furniture can expand the possibilities of your workspace, giving you a place to work to pursue hobbies outside of the workday. Make sure that these supplies can be stored out of the way during business hours to limit distractions. Your workspace could masquerade as another piece of furniture during the day, though this may make it difficult to set up in the morning.

Con: If you're working from home for the long haul, having a dedicated space for work is important so it doesn't take an emotional toll on your day-to-day. If your space allows it, keep a dedicated working desk that doesn't clash with other activities. At the same time, be mindful of what you might use this space for if you return to the office and any possibilities for future use.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Maybe you can’t hide your at-home workspace completely, but you can strive for out-of-the-way. Folding furniture is a great space-saving solution, giving you the option to truly separate your space from the workday. Secretary desks are an expandable stationary option, while wall-mounted folding solutions are a collapsible treat. Gate leg tables have convenient foldout workspaces with legs that swing into place to create an on-demand desk.

As with any shifting solution, it's important to establish dedicated storage so your workday tools aren't scattered throughout your space after business hours. A mobile pedestal is a great movable solution that can be adjusted as needed—or opt for a decorative cabinet that can always stay nearby.

All About Acoustics

Soundproofing solutions are a must for shared households. There are a lot of ways to mitigate noise to keep everybody working well while working from home:

• Invest in Headphones: Sometimes, it's just about noise-canceling headphones for all. Especially when there's an integrated microphone for taking meetings, active noise cancellation can keep 2 people in close proximity without conversations bleeding over.

• Leverage Layout: Intuitive space planning saves the day. Keep desks facing walls with acoustic panels or soft fabrics to muffle conversations. Wear headphones so the other end of the call isn't projected into the middle of the room.

• Be Wary of Windows: Glass and other shiny surfaces are known for reflecting sound, so direct your dialogue away from panes of glass or mirrored surfaces. The same goes for any art or photographs behind glass frames.

• Decorative Deflection: Aside from tasteful curtain panels, using fabric or canvas prints instead of acoustic panels can add an aesthetic twist to noise cancellation. Facing a busy bookshelf with a ton of tomes can also absorb extra sounds with ease.

• Simple Separation: Sometimes, it's best to stay in separate areas. Designate a "conference room" away from your regular workstation that's well-suited for calls and conversations when the time arises. Make sure to communicate any upcoming meetings with others in your shared space, and consider a backup area if a multiperson household has multiple calls going at once.

You're Due for an Upgrade

If you've made it this far, it has probably been a long time since you've seen your corporate office. None of us expected the COVID-19 crisis to last so long, and as days turned to weeks and weeks to months, work conditions—and locations—have shifted.

The scramble to create a workable workstation may have led to a few hasty purchases or tenuously-assembled workarounds, but that can’t cut it forever.

If you haven't already, we truly urge you: Think about the impact your workspace has on your well-being and workplace success. Think about the lasting impact on your physical health due to an ergonomically-unfriendly chair or the impracticality of a not-quite-the-right-size desk. Think about the lasting impact on your mental health that a hard-to-navigate, needlessly cluttered, and deeply disorganized workspace can have.

As companies have started their return to the office, many of us have found ourselves occupying liminal spaces throughout the workweek. Any number of return-to-work policies may create these situations, but many employees aren't quite office-bound or fully remote. While it's tempting to recreate all the luxuries of the office at home, sometimes this isn't fully attainable.

Consider your situation and design an at-home workspace that makes appropriate compromises with the tools you're provided at the office. For employers, this may involve making concessions or providing assistance to ensure productivity doesn't wane when the workforce isn't under one roof.

What's Your Situation?

Not all work-from-home vs. work-from-work situations look the same. Depending on your structure, your priorities might shift as you create a home office that works with the corporate office:

• A-day or B-day: A common tactic has been a structured staggering of employees alternating days in and out. Some offices aren’t as rigid, allowing employees to set their own on-site/WFH schedule.

• Here and There: There might not be any rhyme or reason why an employee is on-site or at home, but there's still a healthy amount of time spent in both places. This might be on an as-needed or "I'll be there a couple of days throughout the week" basis. Time spent in either space can be increased or decreased depending on need.

• Fully Ready for Remote: As cases rise and fall, there's still massive uncertainty surrounding everything. You may be maintaining an at-home workspace that's fully functional but largely unused… For now.

What Isn't Necessary?

A few accommodations are nice to have—a giant purified water cooler, 4-tray copier, or industrial coffee pot at the ready—but aren't feasible in residential spaces. While many of these can be replicated on a smaller scale, a few things can only be available during on-site hours.

Structure your workload and workflow around larger or unique items. Shared supplies, organizational tools, mailroom needs, and other items are difficult to accommodate outside the workplace, so plan your day around what you need versus what you can work with at home.

What Is Non-Negotiable?

You can probably get away with a Brita, Mr. Coffee, and a simple printer, but your workday needs go beyond luxuries or shared necessities. These are often the tools we use to make our workday workable from our designated workstations. As you design your home office space, look toward these easy add-ons to mirror the comforts of the office with the comforts of home:

• 2 Monitors? More Like 4 Monitors: If you need to have multiple programs running at once or are simply used to working with 2 monitors, a worthwhile investment might be an at-home set of monitors in addition to your setup at work.

• You Raise Me Up: If you're used to a sit-to-stand desk or are experiencing posture problems at home, outfit your desk with a desktop riser. This will offset the cost of an expensive motorized height-adjustable desk while providing ergonomic comfort all day.

• Delightful Desking: As you power through workdays at home, you may have noticed that the kitchen table or living room couch isn't a great place to work. Invest in the right desk and chair setup now, as there may still be quite a bit of work-from-home left. It was understandable to put off outfitting a corner of your house or a lesser-used spare bedroom—we all thought this would be over with much sooner—but there's still time to get a lot of use out of your home workspace.

• Simple Storage: While keeping in line with your home décor scheme, add storage solutions into your workspace to keep office supplies, files, and workday necessities tucked away outside of work hours or on your on-site days. These can do double-duty with household storage, ensuring you still get the same use out of your residential space, even when it's a makeshift office.

• Take It With You: When you're stuck between 2 places, you'll need a way to bring your must-haves with you. Invest in a padded, safe laptop case that's designed to take a hit. If you also use a lot of files, ensure that your bag is large enough to contain them.

How Can Employers Help?

Besides making the policy decisions that dictate work-from-home schedules, employers' choices can ensure the success of every employee, no matter where they work. Even though 2020 has been rife with catastrophe and entropy, there are surefire ways to make sure that your employees can keep working as well as possible. Accommodations to make sure everybody is comfortable and safe can take on many shapes and forms, but to facilitate at-home productivity, it's worth providing assistance through your HR department.

Some companies have had success in creating a rebate, discount, or package program to help their remote and partially-remote employees feel comfortable in their homes. This can range from assistance with a desk/chair/storage setup or something as simple as extra office supplies to stay stocked in either location. As for extra monitors—you may have some old technology in storage or consider negotiating a deal to bulk-purchase screens for employee at-home use.

NBF partnered with Kelton Global to survey more than 1,000 American workers. We examined how people feel about their work-from-home workspaces and what they need to make their days better and brighter using a combination of finding the right furniture, designing a beautiful workspace, and building behaviors that can create long-lasting workplace wellness.

Then vs. Now

Somewhat surprisingly, we discovered that 35% of people miss what their workspace used to look like. It's easy to assume that corporate offices are nothing but a series of cookie-cutter workstations, but the reality is that these spaces use design elements that are tried-and-true solutions for workday needs.

At home, there's ample opportunity to create a perfectly personalized workspace that builds on the core tenets of workplace design. Embrace your highest office aspirations and add a personal touch to your office oasis.

Design Matters

We've all heard the adage "dress for success," but in your home office, it's all about designing for a successful workday. Put a little personality into your workspace with picture-perfect touches that can inspire your mood and aid in your workday productivity.

Decorate for Success

The hues you choose have a major impact on your overall emotion. A bright and sunny color palette can add pep to your workday—use inspired yellows, pastels, and bright whites to wash the room in light. Darker, more brooding colors aren't necessarily sleepy; they can create a studious and serious atmosphere that inspires a sense of pride in your workday.

Art for art's sake is a must for interior design in both the workplace and living space. As you select decorative pieces, look for items that aren't too cluttering or distracting, opting for positive and inspiring imagery on the walls.

Bring in a bookcase to expand your storage for workday supplies and decorative pieces. With new and inventive designs dominating the market, a bookcase can add an artistic appeal to your space—opt for something with an inventive combination of storage cubbies in fixed and adjustable heights.

All About Ambience

Wake up and smell the roses—or whatever scent works best for you. Candles, wax melts, and oil diffusers are a great way to enhance your space, and invigorating options are ideal for workday productivity. Seek bright and vibrant scent profiles, such as lemon, orange, or peppermint, to keep it upbeat or alleviate stress with the calming scent of lavender or chamomile.

Soothing sounds are a luxury that is hard to recreate in a shared office. While many prefer podcasts, others work well with white noise, and some are interested in inspired instrumentals. Find what works best for an ambient out-loud soundtrack instead of sticking to office-friendly headphones.

Workday Must-Haves

Design your desktop accessories to match the vibe of your workspace. Online marketplaces have taken desktop staples to another level, offering fun and funky designs that can add to your overall design scheme. Gone are the days of simple Swingline staplers and drab tape dispensers. Find something that's fun to use and functional at the same time.

The smallest stuff matters, including the office supplies you use to get the job done. Find the perfect pens or choose fun paper clips that are more than simple curves. When purchasing for yourself, it's less necessary to blend into the status quo than when buying for an entire office.

Go Green

Pick a plant or maybe many plants. Home offices with ample natural light are ideal for thriving greenery of a maintenance level of your choosing. While some prefer fickle ferns, the tried-and-true ease of a pothos is great for those who might not have a green thumb.

Go with faux plants if you're in a dimly lit area or don't have it in you to keep up with a watering schedule. The options are endless—more hyper-realistic options are available every day.

Fresh might be best for a quick pick-me-up. A bouquet of flowers or quick-blooming seasonal plants can instantly invigorate your space and add a nice little oomph to the air with a sweetly-scented selection. 

Fun and Functional Needs

The stuff you store is just as important as how you store it, be it in bins or baskets on a bookcase or a concealed cabinet. Expand your storage capacity with solutions that look great and blend in with the rest of your interior design scheme. New designs are available that go beyond the basics. Accent these pieces with clever bins and storage boxes to make it easy to conceal pesky small supplies and unsightly clutter.

Let there be light! While home offices often feature more natural light than a corporate workspace, we’ll always need lamps and lights that are easy on the eyes and just right for your vibe. Choose bulbs that emulate the sun or go with vibrant options that can invigorate your space. For the winter months, SAD lamps are an easy way to keep your spirits up during long hours working from home.

Many employees spend more than 8 hours at their workstations each day, eliminating the time that could be spent at the gym, running through the neighborhood, or committing to other physical wellness tasks. These simple workday exercise options may not be particularly rigorous, but they’re great for getting the blood flowing in the body, all without a gap in workday productivity.

Bring the Gym to Your Desk

Convenient exercise equipment comes in all shapes and sizes. Some items, such as stretchy bands that can anchor beneath your desk or chair's leg, can give you the ability to squeeze in a few resistance exercises throughout the day. Small hand or ankle-mounted weights can give you a quick way to do basic exercises passively while you're off-camera during a meeting.

For the more die-hard, under-desk elliptical machines are an option to keep your legs moving throughout the workday. These seated solutions are a quiet and subtle way to mix your workday with your workout.

Take a Stand

Adjustable-height desks and active seating are movement-friendly solutions and posture savers. Active seating often involves fidget-friendly solutions designed for adults that need some external stimulation. Gently rocking stools, wobbling ottomans, and round-bottom standing stools are designed to work your core and promote healthy movement throughout the day. Similarly, standing engages your core, and a sit/stand solution is ideal for those who aren't settled on either style.

Work(out) Well With Others

Forego a stop at the watercooler and opt for a quick walk around the building with a coworker. You'll build accountability by including another on-site employee in your wellness journey while also satisfying the need for social interaction during the workday. You can do as little or as much as you'd like. Invite a diverse group of coworkers from different parts of the building to take part in lunch walks, yoga sessions, or other activities to add a more concerted wellness-focused break to your workday. You can also do these activities before or after work to accommodate schedules.

Workday-Ready Exercise Equipment

While less common than their sit/stand counterparts, treadmill or training bike desks are an option for those who need a little more workout during the workday. 

If you're working from home, try planning a fun DIY to make a fitness-friendly solution that works with your existing treadmill or stationary bike setup. Not all treadmills are created the same. Look online at the oodles of available DIYs on YouTube, blogs, and social media sites to find a tutorial that closely matches your treadmill. 

Remember that you'll want to make sure you have added as many beneficial safety features as possible to keep yourself and your equipment safe. Anti-slip pads for your laptop or peripherals, well-secured straps, and high-quality materials will ensure that your treadmill desk adds health and not hazard to your workday.

Greener is greater! Making sure your home office is a sustainable haven is an emerging necessity in today's interior design. From top to bottom, it's easy to integrate eco-friendly aspects into your workspace. Remember that it's OK to only follow a guideline or 2. Every effort matters, even if you aren't completely diving into a fully-sustainable space.

Start With Packaging

No matter how your furniture arrives, it will be packaged or protected in some way. From freight-delivered to ready-to-assemble pieces, the packaging may be made from different materials. Avoid plastic or foam wrapping, Styrofoam, packing peanuts, and other plastics when possible. Corrugated cardboard or molded paper solids are excellent alternatives that can be just as effective. Brands that focus on being eco-friendly will note their initiative, so pay attention to these pleasant disclaimers.

Prioritize Sustainable Materials

Even if it isn't always possible, it's important to prioritize materials that are sustainably harvested, easy to recycle, or free from finishes that make it difficult to recycle. Many solid wood products cannot be recycled by traditional means, such as curbside recycling, due to treatments, coatings, or paint. Laminates and MDF are equally difficult to recycle. Find dedicated programs through your recycling center to take advantage of material-specific recycling.

Metals—even aluminum—are often powder-coated or finished in a way that makes recycling difficult. As a rule of thumb, try to disassemble furniture as best as possible and take a visit to your closest recycling center. If you can, hold on to screws, nuts, and bolts to reuse them for other projects.

A Little TLC Goes a Long Way

The more care you put into your furniture, the less waste you'll introduce into the world. Learn how to best clean different materials (hint: a little bit of mild dish soap in a bucket of water can work wonders on many surfaces) to ensure they stay looking just as good as the day you brought them home. Invest in quality furniture to extend your length of use, and look for finishes, such as high-pressure laminate, that are made to last.

Look for Timeless Trends

As you're shopping, look for pieces that can blend in with trending décor styles. As styles come in and out of fashion, your furniture shouldn’t be replaced repeatedly. Especially if you're shopping for well-made, sustainable furniture, it's best to ensure that you won't have to constantly replace these costly pieces. Basic silhouettes are always a sure shot, but finishes are often a topic of trend. The more neutral and agreeable, the better.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

When your existing furniture has run its course, there's a wealth of ways to extend its life to reduce waste. If you need to dispose of it, there are always eco-friendly ways to make sure you're recycling as much of it as possible:

Repurpose in Another Area

When your desk has run its course, think if you have any other uses for it. Could it become a work surface in a downstairs workroom or a storage shelf in a shed? If you're feeling ambitious, there's no shortage of upcycling tutorials online to give your pieces a new look and life.

A Second Chance Somewhere Else

Whether you're using an online marketplace like Facebook or Craigslist or donating your pieces to a charity, finding a second life for your furniture is a great way to reduce waste. Even if it's older or of poor quality, furniture rehabbers are often willing to make a project out of older solid pieces. Less expensive RTA furniture may find a second home at a low price or free exchange.

Recycle the Right Materials

Look at the different parts of your desk, chair, or other furniture piece and determine if any of the components are recyclable. Because regional recycling programs differ, consult your local waste management authority for information on how to best recycle different types of laminate, manufactured wood, textiles, and more. You might even be able to find specific recycling programs that will disassemble and properly recycle your components for you.

Shutdowns, layoffs, and remote-only workplaces have swept the nation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The instant effects of working from home are easy to pinpoint: it's harder to schedule meetings, some people won't have access to the tech and tools that are too big to remove from the office, quick in-person conversations have to migrate to chat, etc. However, secondary effects can also drastically change a person's workday.

While transitioning to a remote-only workforce, leadership should consider some of the side effects of these changes. Compassion, understanding, leniency, and communication can make or break a working relationship. Understanding what employees are experiencing is the first step in creating a remote workforce that works.

It's All in the Family

It isn't just workplaces that are shutting down—it's schools and daycare centers, too. Suddenly, you've gone from working alongside team members to trying to focus on the task at hand while your spouse and children are adjusting to their new normals. Who knows, maybe the dog is constantly begging to go out or your cat's taking over the keyboard all at the same time.

For employers, this is a time when compassionate leadership can make a sour situation a success. Be patient with employees whose familial responsibilities suddenly fall during the workday. Understand that part of their normal working hours might involve tending to the household, and allow for a bit of breadth with start and stop times. A productive workday is all about results, not mindless hours clocked in and paying little attention.

As for employees, thoughtfulness and attentiveness is the answer to juggling the sudden intersection of work and home. Just as you'd schedule your workday, schedule your kids' playtime, learning, and meals alongside your meetings and the times you need to focus. Seek activities that can inspire your child's development into an independent and curious person. If possible, consider reaching out to healthy family members who may be fully laid-off, retired, or otherwise homebound to let your kids see other familiar faces while giving yourself a few moments to breathe.

Make Time for Mental Health

Whether it's anxiety about the global situation or sadness brought on by isolation, it's just as important to look out for your mental well-being as your physical health. While some people thrive in isolation and stillness, not everybody handles a quarantine in the same way. You can do a few simple pick-me-up activities during a brief break from work, at the start of your day, or after wrapping up in the evening.

• Take a walk. While many public places, restaurants, and leisurely stores are shut down, there's still a great big world to explore. Even if it's just a stroll around the block, getting out of the house is more important than ever.

• Exercise. Fire up your Chromecast and stream a few YouTube videos while the gym is closed. Look for yoga, weight, cardio, dance, or meditation series that resonate with you and keep up your exercise momentum.

• Make a few calls. You're not the only person with a little free time, so try to connect with people you'd normally see in person. No matter how short, a quick phone call can brighten everyone’s day.

• Ask for help. If you're struggling, there are resources for you. Your HR department will have information on any Employee Assistance Programs or even over-the-phone counseling. Always remember that mental healthcare is just as important as any other healthcare.

Keep Up the Good Work

Productivity shouldn't take a nosedive when you switch from deskbound to homebound, but what changes do you need to make to your workflow and workday? Maintaining a high output requires careful consideration of what matters, how you do it, and how you can make it work within your circumstances.

Identify what you need to succeed in the office and bring home or recreate those tools in your space. If you don't already have a home office set up, you'll need to adjust your living quarters to make your workflow work. Rearrange a shared space, such as a dining room or living room, to install a compact desk with enough room for a simple yet ergonomically-friendly task chair. Likewise, take advantage of a guest room and let it do double-duty as an out-of-the-way private office suite.

After returning to the workplace, consider how best to maintain and use these new spaces and tools. Will this freshly renovated space serve as a temporary office for future work-from-home days, or could the space be best used in another way? Having gone through the work to set it up, try to repurpose the area for arts and crafts, personal development, or a hobby requiring concentration and the same sense of focus you need at work.

Stay in Touch

Instant messaging, collaboration suites, and teleconferencing have reached a new level recently. These tools are invaluable for keeping on track in the office, and they've made it possible for so many companies to pivot quickly to a fully-remote workforce. By becoming fluent in these tools and technologies, you can share in real time with the people you work with.

But sometimes, it's just not enough. The value of a person-to-person interaction comes from subtle clues that get lost in text. While you're moving meetings online and setting up phone calls, see if you can make individual conversations or small conferences into video chats. While it's not perfect, facial expressions and body language can humanize interaction in a way teleconferencing and chatting cannot.

If you're in a management or leadership position, your guidance is more important than ever. Checking in on isolated employees can be a massive help. Set up a one-on-one video chat or phone call to review projects and accomplishments and touch base on employee wellness. There's a bigger picture to employee success that can't be measured by workplace achievements alone, and maintaining a sense of comfort and normalcy will aid in the transition back to in-office operations.

Sure, you can set up shop at the dining room table, open your laptop while lounging in bed, or take on a project while kicking your feet up on the couch, but there's nothing quite like the work you accomplish when you're in a great home office space. No matter what size, shape, or layout you're working with, National Business Furniture's selection of desks, chairs, storage, and décor can create a space that suits your work style.

We have something special for any space, thanks to our wide selection of compact desks, ergonomically-friendly office chairs, and chic storage pieces. Bring your home office dreams to life and pick pieces that seamlessly blend in with your interior design and décor. See a few of our most ideal options below.

DESKS

Compact Desks

Available in 1 Option

Simple Assembly Table Desk - 48"W x 24"D

$199.98 $269.00

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Available in 3 Options

Table Desk with Modesty Panel 48"Wx24"D

$389.00

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Height-Adjustable and Standing Desks

Available in 3 Options

At Work Desk with Modesty Panel - 48"W

$849.98 $999.00

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Available in 2 Options

Rivet Standing Height Desk - 48"W x 24"D

$611.15 $719.00

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Available in 1 Option

Westgate Height-Adjustable Desk - 54"W x 28"D

$1,549.00GSA

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Fully-Assembled Desks

Available in 2 Options

Statesman Compact Executive Desk

$1,279.00GSA

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Half Pedestal Desk - 60"W

$1,199.00

Available in 1 Option

Westgate Double-Pedestal Desk - 68"W x 28"D

$1,779.00GSA

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Budget-Friendly Desks

Available in 2 Options

Element Executive Desk - 71"W

$479.00

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Available in 7 Options

Harbor View Corner L-Desk with Reversible Storage 66"W x 22"D

$449.00

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Available in 2 Options

Metropolitan Computer L-Shaped Desk

$929.00GSA

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Writing Desks

Available in 3 Options

Writing Desk - 60"W

$1,049.00

Available in 2 Options

Writing Desk - 42"W

$649.00

Available in 2 Options

Rivet Writing Desk - 60"W x 30"D

$747.15 $879.00

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Available in 2 Options

Bend Writing Desk - 48"W x 27"D

$209.98 $829.00GSA

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OFFICE CHAIRS 

Stylish Office Chairs

Available in 6 Options

Hadley Faux Leather Mid Back Chair

$399.98 $499.00

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Available in 6 Options

Kingston Standard Leather Executive Chair

$729.00

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Available in 7 Options

Harper Executive Chair

$329.00

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Highland Two Tone Leather Executive Chair

$399.00

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Ergonomic Office Chairs

Available in 12 Options

High Back Mesh Chair with Headrest

$949.00

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Available in 6 Options

Avanti Faux Leather Executive Chair with Flip Arms

$499.00

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Budget-Friendly Office Chairs

Available in 3 Options

Perspective Mesh Mid-Back Chair

$299.00GSA

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Available in 1 Option

Amp Soft-Touch Mesh Back Ergonomic Chair

$339.00GSA

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STORAGE

Bookcases

Available in 3 Options

At Work 72"H Ten Compartment Bookcase

$399.00

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Available in 1 Option

Maker Open-Frame 5-Shelf Bookcase

$299.98 $429.00

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Available in 2 Options

Statesman 72" H Five Shelf Veneer Bookcase with Doors

$829.00GSA

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File Pedestals

Available in 2 Options

Urban 18"W Two Drawer Mobile File Pedestal with Cushion Top

$599.00GSA

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Available in 3 Options

At Work Mobile File Pedestal

$389.00

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Available in 1 Option

Stahl Three Drawer Mobile Pedestal

$299.00GSA

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Available in 2 Options

Metropolitan 18"W Three Drawer Mobile Pedestal

$549.00GSA

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File Storage

Available in 6 Options

At Work Two Drawer Lateral File

$689.00

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Available in 2 Options

Statesman 32" W Two Drawer Lateral File

$849.00GSA

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By now, it's obvious that the layout and look of your at-home workspace differ from your traditional office. Organizing a residential workspace comes with a whole new set of clutter challenges, but, just like their corporate counterparts, there are ways to clear the home office clutter for a more productive workday.

Home vs. Home Office

First, make sure "Home" is always the away team. During your working hours, your at-home workspace should be your focus. Make sure that this space—no matter where it's situated—is thoughtfully separate from the rest of your house.

Even if adjacent spaces are a little unruly, keeping your desktop and storage pieces clean directly impacts your working hours. Although it might be overwhelming to be near other cluttered and unruly spaces, start with those productive places to make it easier to focus on work. From there, use other organizational techniques to tackle the rest of your house.

What Stays and What Goes

If your home goods bleed into your workday workspace, be diligent about removing those objects immediately. Grab a box and evaluate what doesn't need to be there, quickly packing up extraneous items to put away after work is done. While some workspaces might need to share their real estate with other supplies, the more separate they can be, the better.

Step Up Your Storage

Keeping clutter out of sight and out of mind starts with a thoughtful storage scheme. Invest heavily in storage pieces that make sure your workday supplies don't overwhelm your home:

• Mobile Pedestals: Smaller mobile pedestals allow for movable and right-at-hand storage that can accommodate a small number of files or extra supply drawers for smaller stuff.

• Bookcases: These true home and home office chameleons are great for displaying décor and accommodating working items. Make the most out of these pieces with bins and baskets for extra organization.

• Built-In Storage: Residentially-geared desks are available with storage drawers or slots built into the design. Amenities can range from a series of spacious drawers to a simple center drawer (often used as a keyboard tray) and anything in-between.

• Modest Hutches: A smaller hutch or desktop organizer might be available in a coordinating finish, encouraging you to keep your desktop orderly while sometimes functioning as a monitor stand.

Bin It

We're not talking about garbage cans. Open storage can get noisy, so make sure smaller supplies out of sight with a series of small-to-large bins organized on open shelves. This is a great way to make sure your visible storage is aesthetically pleasing—it can be as decorative as you'd like.

Purchase Space-Specific Supplies

When shopping for office supplies and simple organizational tools, you have more freedom than you might within a traditional office. Seek out space-saving or modular items that are well-coordinated and easy to arrange in thoughtful ways. An abundance of supply and organizational sets available can be tailored to fit your home office décor choices without sacrificing organizational aptitude.

Double-Duty Spaces

Most home office spaces share their purpose with other needs and can benefit from sharing extended storage. While there's a need for separation, that isn't always feasible:

• Sequestered Spaces: Guest rooms are a popular choice for home office splits. These areas are nicely out-of-the-way and can take advantage of extra closet space, allowing for built-in concealed storage. Make sure shelving is divvied up to accommodate smaller supplies and bulkier items.

• Out-in-the Open Areas: Dining rooms, corners of living rooms, and small nooks are other options for small apartments and homes. Since they're blended in with the rest of the home, take advantage of open storage solutions that keep the design from becoming too bulky, opting to use baskets or bins to keep small storage in good order.

Find a Furniture Fit

Outside of storage pieces, the rest of your office furniture contributes heavily to the aesthetic of your space. To keep your space from becoming overwhelming, select furniture that isn't visibly overpowering. Make sure that the measurements of desks and storage pieces are modest, accommodating any doors or windowsills. Carefully measure ahead of every purchase to make sure you aren't taking up too much space with poorly-fitted furniture, and then build your storage based on the remaining space.

Work With Wires

When you're on your own, cable management is an often-overlooked hardship in the home office. Purchase the right tools to keep cords out of the way and neatly organized. Many tools are available:

• Install channels under desks to make sure you're making the most of cable management grommets at the desktop.

• Clips and stick-on accessories can further tidy cords that run off the edge of desks.

• Charging cables that are frequently used benefit from a side-mounted area that keeps them from falling to the floor when not in use.

• Position furniture near outlets to avoid running extension cords around the room.

• Make sure your cable management choices work with any temporary power sources in case you need to take your charger on the go without making reorganizing cords a tedious process.

Make It a Ritual

Focus on cleanliness as part of your workday routine. Dedicate a small block of time to tidying up your space, ideally at the end of the day, to make sure that all of your files, supplies, and tech are put away and don't bleed into your nonworking hours. Pair this ritual with a favorite podcast or cup of tea to make this time a calming resolution to a busy workday.

With the need for stylish, versatile home office furniture rising to prominence, attending the High Point Furniture Market was a must for NBF's merchandising team. While some trends have been somewhat building in popularity for quite some time, many of these styles took a dramatic jump into the deep end. We're seeing a lot of styles that aren't just inspired by the leading designer's trends-- they've fully embraced all of the silhouettes and details that make these modern schemes look great.

In today's world of small-space living and full households, it isn't the norm to have a dedicated home office. Especially for those who aren't planning on working remote for the long-haul, it's likely that your workspace is doing double-duty at least part-time. Not all "make it work" workspaces are created equal. As you find the perfect place for your WFH home base, consider the way that your physical area may impact your working hours.

You can't be the best employee, colleague, or teammate if you're not operating at 100%. Being self-aware of self-care is the first step to being a productive, reliable person in every aspect of life. Especially in the workplace, everybody's job is important for the success of the greater organization. Taking time to fine-tune yourself is key to everybody's collected success.

Will you have a perfectly productive workday, or will you struggle to succeed? You may find the answer in the habits you establish during your remote work days and the space you surround yourself with. It's easy to think you’ll be fine at the dinner table or bringing your laptop to bed, but a successful remote career depends on a few careful considerations within your home office space.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

The latest season of your favorite show is streaming on Netflix. Last night's leftovers are in the kitchen. Your dog is napping at your feet. The distractions go on and on. When choosing what part of your home you'll be working from, optimize your layout for laser focus on the task at hand. Choose a corner desk or a writing desk that faces the wall, keeping all of the delights of home at your back.

Layout Is Key

Especially in small spaces, the right layout can make or break the productivity of your home office space. Not every space can handle a large desk in the middle of the room or a sprawling L-shaped desk with all the bells and whistles. Purchase furniture that does double-duty with whatever space you're working in: a bookcase can be a decorative delight as well as a place for binders, catalogs, and business books.

Don't Supersize It

Again, especially in small spaces, bigger isn't always better. When shopping online, it's easy to overestimate the size of larger items. The tape measure is your best friend. After determining the layout that'll work best for your chosen area, measure ahead of time and only consider furniture that's within your predetermined sizes. It's always better to undershoot your chosen measurements than to go too far either way.

Choose Wisely

As you choose your furniture pieces, your choices extend far beyond the workspace right in front of you. Depending on your working style, supply stock, and documents, your storage needs will be different and dynamic. A combination of hutches, bookcases, and filing cabinets can come together to make the perfect solution. Mobile file pedestals are often a stellar choice—they can be relocated as necessary, often have a very small footprint, and contain the right combination of file and utility drawers to keep you organized and on-task.

Let the Light in