What a crazy few weeks it has been. Am I right?!

To say that we are in unprecedented times feels both dramatic yet a bit understated, in terms of how much our lives have been flipped upside down. And while John + I are anything but strangers when it comes to spending a lot of our time working from home, we want you to know that we’re navigating this very unfamiliar territory with you.

Realizing just how deeply we care about each + everyone of you –– we can’t help but to think about what the long term impacts will be on you + your family. And how this all will change our business, our team of amazing subcontractors as well as their loved ones? 

Yes, no matter how we try to slice it,  the weight of the unknown feels heavy and confusing yet John + I remain very hopeful. 

So, in an effort to look on the bright side + because we know so many of our clients are working from home, we wanted to inspire you with ideas on how-to create a stylish home office.

CREATE A WORKSPACE

At home, there are a lot of distractions (especially with the pitter-patter of your loved ones running the halls) it can be especially difficult to find the mental bandwidth to stay focused + do your work. While what I’m about to say sounds basic –– you need to define a workspace. 

Trust me, if you want to be even the least bit productive do yourself a favor + create a place where you can retreat-to. Where you can do your work without getting interrupted every 5 seconds. But, realize you might still get interrupted every 5-seconds (welcome to the nature of working from home wink).

This can be anything from a desk in your home office space or a chair that’s tucked in an unused nook of your home. When the time comes to buckling down + getting work done, push yourself towards this office space area of your home + I promise... it’ll help you focus on accomplishing the most pressing things on your todo list.

Not to mention, remind those around you that you’re in work-mode.

DECLUTTER + ORGANIZE YOUR OFFICE

Like anything good in life, getting organized takes some time. But there are a ton of benefits to organizing your office at home so it's functional, inspiring + gorgeous. Psst… if you need help getting started, holler at your girl :) 

Start by removing the excess + categorize each zone for exactly what you need. What this allows you to do is understand everything you have in your office space so you can clearly make decisions on what to keep vs what you’d like to get rid of. 

And because the desk is where most people typically get work done in a home office, start here. After all, we don’t want it to feel overloaded with so many office supplies or decorative tchotchkes that you can’t actually work *yikes!*

We suggest considering what you typically need while working at your desk + making those items easily accessible mixing in the pretty decorative accents when possible.

DECORATE YOUR OFFICE

Finding ways to display the things that make your heart full + provide a source of motivation isn’t difficult todo yet so many of us rarely put the thought that’s necessary into doing this.

The goal is to create a stylish office space that doesn’t feel like it zaps your energy  –– hello boring walls + nothing exciting to fidget with when you’re taking a break.

In fact, we’ve built our business on a belief that home should feel like the ultimate guilty pleasure. So long story short, your home office, no matter how big or small it may be, should inspire + motivate you.

Your office should make you feel comfortable to pursue your dreams but give you clarity to complete your work. 

Now for the million dollar question... What can you do? 

ADD OR REARRANGE ART

Well, There are actually a couple of ways to sass up your office space but the quickest way is to hang pictures or rearrange the wall art you already have hanging on your walls.

Another way to create instant impact, especially if your desk faces the wall, is to hang some eye candy that inspires + makes you feel good every time you look up.

This can be word art like a favorite quote, a picture from your travels, your vision board for the year or even a collage of family photos.

*Super Tip: John + I create a vision board each year digitally + we set it as our desktop background. This way, whenever we open up our MacBook’s to get some work done — we’re reminded of our goals for the year. We include word phrases as well as pictures that inspire us to serve on a greater level. If you’d like for us to share how we do this, just reach out :)

HOME DECOR ACCENTS

Next, decorating your bookcases + tabletops with books, candles and other decorative accents you love + that bring you joy.

Don’t be fooled though: less is always more when it comes to decorative accents especially in a workspace. So, truthfully consider each items meaning to you + why you feel it’s a good piece to display in your office opposed to somewhere else in your home.

Wondering how-to style bookcases + tabletops? Don’t fret — Here’s 9 Secrets For Styling Stop + Stare Bookcases.

LAYER IN THE WARMTH

Worried that everything feels separate from one another + doesn’t feel pulled together? There are a couple of really easy ways to layer in the warmth + create an inviting space that you get to work in. 

Adding a rug that introduces color or pattern is an excellent way to visually anchor the space not to mention it’ll sweep you right off your feet ;) 

Another trick for adding warmth, whether you have a single chair or a full on sofa, is to not be afraid to layer on a throw blanket or decorative accent pillow to your office space. This will help create an inviting space that feels cohesive + cozy.

LET THE NATURAL LIGHT IN

Allow as much natural light to filter into your office as possible. Working from home can sometimes feel a little bit isolating but one thing that always seems to improve your energy level is embracing the natural light. 

If you have window coverings, keep them open while you work + if you can position yourself towards the window.

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR WORKING AT HOME 

Be Prepared for Disruptions

If you have pets or kids be prepared for an inconstant ebb + flow of work. Realizing that Brooklyn doesn’t go to daycare, John + I have literally become masters at this.

Between a two year old + a golden retriever who has to go outside from time-to-time, we’re extremely flexible + work when we can. Don’t be afraid to stop what you’re doing for a 5 or 10 minute family football game. Or if there’s another adult you can trade-off who is working now + who is in charge of entertaining.

Stretch Your Work Hours

Try getting up early or working late when the house is quiet. This my friend, is another trick that’s worked really well for us + it allows you to enjoy a ton of uninterrupted work time while the house is quiet.

While John + I definitely aren’t night owls, we are however, early risers + typically open our eyes around 3AM to ensure we get the most pressing tasks on our todo-list done before the little one wakes.

Create a Todo List

Welp, it's a fact. You’re working from home now, so if you’re not already in the habit of making lists, you’ll definitely want to outline for yourself the most important thing for you to get done today.

In our world, we use the first 15 minutes of work each morning to review + organize our day. This way, we go into our day knowing that everything has been prioritized that needs to happen in order for it to be a successful work day.

Don’t Multitask

Beyond kids, pets or unexpected company, when you’re working from home there are bound to be countless distractions. Like did you do the laundry, are there dishes, maybe watch TV or listen to some music while you work?! Heck... it’s hard enough to feel productive let alone actually work while trying to do a couple of these things simultaneously.

So when it comes to working from home, don’t multitask. Block your time for work + personal as you would if you weren’t working from a home office space. 

Stay Connected

If you’re a part of a team + your company uses Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, or another line of communication — let everyone know when you’ll be available + when you wont. Then stick to those times.

Get Outside

Now the opportunity to work from home is a luxury that not everyone has but trust me sista, you still need to prioritize time for getting outside. Cabin fever is no joke!

After a long work week or an intense work session nothing is more refreshing for our family than filling our lungs with some of that fresh air. 

We love to walk the trails behind our house + remind ourselves just how blessed we are. So, go on, get up off that derriere of yours, stretch your legs + go for a quick walk.

There are literally hundreds if not thousands of ideas for designing a stylish small office space (even with what you have). This is the pop. fizz. clink! moment of creating a home office workspace that empowers you. 

As we navigate these unknown circumstances, we realize that everyone’s in the same boat, simply trying to do their best. So while we’ve all been asked to practice social distancing + to avoid large gatherings remember that we can still all be –– together yet apart.

Wishing you all safety + good health :)