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5 Ways to Upgrade Your Work From Home Space

After years of employees asking for “work from home” benefits, 2020 delivered by forcing employers to “let” us all work from home. I personally love working from home (no commute time, instead of “stop n chats” I can get quick house tasks done.. the list goes on). But, being thrown into a work from home environment without a home office can be a little bit of a boon. People are working from kitchen tables, the couch, their bed.. which is not ideal to do daily.

My environment is important to my productivity – and the right environment allows my headspace to transition from “work” time to “family” time. Without a dedicated workspace, everything starts to blur together. So, now that we’re 9+ months into this thing with no end date in sight: how have you made your work from home space work for you? Here are my tips for making a productive home office.

Invest in a Desk

This might be a tough one if you’re space or budget constrained, but if not, this is where you should start. Having a desk sets the tone that you’re sitting down “at work” for the day. It helps stop that feeling that your home and work life are blending together, and it can put you in a more productive headspace. I love my desk – it’s a lot prettier than any desk I’ve had in a workplace, it has a good amount of storage, and it’s big enough to fit a raiser on top to allow me to stand while I work. I also have a desk chair (recently upgraded from a stability ball) that ties the whole “home office” feel together. There are still times where I sit on my screened in porch or take a meeting from the couch, but overall, having a space where I do most of my work has been so helpful.

Now.. Decorate That Desk

Now that you have your own dedicated space, time to spruce it up. I find that little comforts go a long way in setting my mood for the day. I keep pictures of family and friends nearby to make me smile and book stacks to help me feel motivated. I also love to drink coffee and tea out of my favorite mugs. Keeping things nearby that bring me even a little bit of joy helps me get through the grind!

Light a Candle

Scent can really influence your mood (like when someone microwaves fish for lunch, or your grandma is baking your favorite cookies.) Seasonal candles excite me (and I know I can’t be the only one given the size of the candle market). Keeping one at my desk adds a great scent and some warm light to the air, making my work space feel cozy. A small addition like this makes my desk a place I want to spend time at. I’m currently using this Christmas Velvet candle.

Bring In Some Nature

Cubicles are notorious for lack of natural light. Being in your home can mean better lighting opportunities, which is a perk in itself, but it also means that plants are easier to keep at your desk. Indoor plants can add to a feeling of calm and relaxation while increasing productivity. I keep an aloe vera plant on my desk!

Put On Your Favorite Music

Another benefit of being home? No coworkers to dispute your music choices, and no headphones required. Put on whatever boosts your mood or makes you feel your most productive. Since it’s November as I write this, I’m big on Christmas music right now. For deep concentration, I play low-fi beats or movie scores, and to keep myself groovin’ I’ll play rap or EDM. Not most people’s tastes, which is why I find it nice to work from home!

How do you maximize your work from home space?

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Stella’s Nursery Reveal

Stella’s nursery isn’t 100% complete (we still need curtains and more wall decor) but getting this far was one of the most rewarding feelings! Even if it’s not “done” it is ready for her arrival, which meant many hours of putting together furniture, washing all those cute little baby clothes, and unpacking shower gifts as they arrived in the mail.

One of the more unfortunate ways the COVID-19 pandemic impacted my family was the postponing of Stella’s baby shower. On the list of hardships people faced, this is a small one, but it means that most people did not get to see what we received or experience the joy of seeing someone appreciate the gift you have given. I didn’t call out specific gifters in the video (for the most part) but you can see where your gifts ended up and how it all came together.

Some of my most exciting gifts (like the jogging stroller I got from my best friend Maggie!) aren’t in the nursery, but you can see those here if you’re looking for baby registry inspo: https://www.babylist.com/baby-christine-cerniglia

Harry Potter Themed Nursery

The theme of the nursery is mostly Harry Potter + night sky (kind of like the great hall in Harry Potter) but in light colors, with most of the room being white and grey. I’ve included links below to the brands I referenced throughout, but please feel free to reach out with any questions when it comes to specifics!

Baby Registry Must-Haves

From the video:
6 Drawer Wayfair Dresser
Keekaroo Peanut Changer
Ubbi Weighted Diaper Wipes Dispenser
Charlie Banana All-In-One Cloth Diaper
Ubbi Diaper Pail
Babyletto Hudson 3-in-1 Convertible Crib with Toddler Bed Conversion Kit
Owlet Cam Baby Monitor
Pottery Barn Star Ceiling Mobile
Nursing Chair
Hatch Sound Machine
Boppy Nursing Pillow
Boppy Newborn Lounger
Aden + Anais Harry Potter Swaddles

Not included in the video:
Graco Jogging Stroller
Graco Pack N Play with Bassinet and Changer

What was your nursery theme? What were your baby registry must-haves?