Working from home is exciting and incredibly freeing. It opens up new schedule possibilities, access to snacks straight from your fridge, and eliminates commute time. However, it also has its challenges. 

For one thing, your house is full of distractions that will fight for your attention all day. Separating your home and work life can also be challenging when you spend all your time in the same space. Thankfully, you are in charge of your home office, and a few simple changes can make a big difference. 

Here are five ways to bring joy back to your home office space: 

`1. Get a Stand-up Desk

If you work from home, the most significant update you can make to your office space is to check that it’s good for your body. If you’re hunching over a laptop for eight hours a day, five days a week, you’re going to start experiencing pain – and that’s no fun at all! 

One way to invest in better work health is with a stand-up desk. These desks can lift and lower so you can switch your position from sitting to standing throughout the day. Moving over your workday improves posture and protects your back health. 

Refitting your space to protect your body doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Sometimes, small changes are all it takes to improve your workspace and invest in long-term physical health. 

2. Roll Out a Yoga Mat

Adding a yoga mat to your home office is a good reminder to get up and move throughout the day. A 15-minute stretch session can do a lot to get your blood moving and reduce stiffness from being in one space for an extended period of time. 

Incorporating stretch and exercise breaks into your workday routine can also increase your motivation. Built-in breaks make focused time more enjoyable because you’ve set up a reward for yourself after you complete a certain amount of work. 

The endorphins your body produces from moving will also help you focus and improve your overall mental health!

3. Keep on the Sunny Side

Studies show that natural light has a positive impact on mood and the overall health of office workers. If you can, it’s a good idea to move your home office near a bright window so that you can soak up those life-giving rays. 

If you can’t find a good window in your home, you have a few options. First, you could consider getting a lamp that emulates natural light. While this won’t be as good as real sunlight, it can improve on a dark, enclosed space. 

However, you can also consider relocating your home office to an outdoor shed. Sheds are an ideal size for an office space, and high-end models often have windows. Moving your office outside into your own customized space is an effective way to get more natural light into your day, and it can also help you deal with distractions and space issues.  

4. Buy New Clothes

Okay, this one isn’t strictly an office update. However, you spend a lot of time in your office, and so do your clothes. Research suggests that dressing up for work can increase your productivity and affect the way you think. 

Psychologically, clothes change the way you feel about yourself as well. So if you start work in your pajamas, you’re probably more likely to take a nap when you feel tired. If you wear heels and a dress, you’re less likely to start cleaning your bathroom in the middle of your workday. 

However, the way clothing affects you varies widely depending on culture and lifestyle. You don’t have to dress up every day to be productive at home. However, putting together a fresh wardrobe can make working from home a lot more enjoyable.

5. Declutter – or Not

Working from home can be very distracting, especially if you have personal projects and housework lying around. Many people advocate clearing your workspace of all distractions so you can better focus on your work during the day. 

However, personal projects, notes, and goals can also be inspiring and remind you of what you have to look forward to at the end of the day. A simple upgrade to your home office could be hanging a bulletin board, adding a new photo to your desk, or stacking the books you’re reading beside your computer. 

Whether you decide to declutter or bring more things to your workspace, be mindful of how it’s affecting your workday. You might be surprised at how much of an impact things have when they’re in your line of vision all day long!

Spice Up Your Space

Updating your workspace is a fun way to reimagine what your workday can look like. It also gives you the opportunity to check in with yourself and see how your home office space is treating you. 

Try these five tips to spice up your home office, and improve your everyday work experience!