Working from home? 7 ways to deck up your work desk (and find some motivation)

Here’s a real confession: the new normal (post COVID-19) might have been a tad bit convenient, but quite boring! Yes, the remote work has saved us from the plight of sobbing while stuck in immobile traffic, but it has also taken away the excitement of going out to grab lunch with your work bestie! Or playing foosball during the lunch break! Or just high-fiving with your teammates because you managed the whole presentation, even though you prepped for only minutes!

In short, the joy is half gone! We’re only left in boxes on the screen, now and then whining about whether we are audible or not, and keeping ourselves on mute for the rest of the day.

But, to be honest, working from home doesn’t have to be this monotonous, like a never-ending spiral of sweatpants and snack breaks.

What could make a difference?

Your workspace.

That tiny corner in your room (or the entire dining table you’ve claimed) can make or break your productivity. But who says home desks have to be boring, beige, or barely functional? With a few creative tweaks and personal touches, your WFH desk can take it from bland to a much greater bandwidth!

How? We’ll spill the beans!

Your desk doesn't need to be Pinterest-perfect, but we can’t deny, it helps. Choose a comfortable, ergonomically sound chair and a desk that fits your space. Here’s the trick: go for textures, colors, and materials that make sense to you and are in sync with your aura. A wooden tabletop with character, a sleek matte-black monitor stand, or even a vintage writing desk, whatever makes you feel like the queen of your workdom!

You don’t have to ping a photographer to know this now, thanks to Instagram and a train of influencers, natural light is your BFF. Position your desk near a window if you can. Natural light truly boosts mood, reduces eye strain, and honestly, makes even the bland white laptop lighting better. No scope of confiscating the window side? No problem. Get a daylight-simulating desk lamp. Add a cute lampshade or an LED strip to jazz it up a bit. Light affects productivity more than you think, so let there be (good) light!

Houseplants aren’t just for those aesthetic Instagram reels. And even if you’re not a content creator, you can have a few of them because they purify the air, reduce stress, and make you feel like you’ve got your life together. Money plants, snake plants, pothos, or even a tiny cactus (if softcore isn’t your jam) can bring your desk to life. Want to add bonus points? Go for some pop and funky planters!

Maybe you’re yet to be inducted into the wall of fame. That doesn’t mean you cannot have one in your own room. The wall in front of your desk is prime real estate for inspiration. Think vision boards, art prints, funny postcards, green boards to stick up important notes, or a bold motivational quote (or a Michael Scott quote from The Office) in a frame. You could even DIY a chalkboard wall for quick lists and doodles, in case you’re more artsy. The basic idea? Give your eyes a break whenever you feel stuck in your mailbox.

Whims are fine, make room for them. But pick them with functionality and purpose. Let your desk reflect a piece of your mind, only better organized. Add a cute mug for pens, meme-inspired coasters for your coffee, a table calendar with your favorite bits of pop culture, or a quirky paperweight. Keep a notebook handy, and place a planner by the paperweight. But remember, too much clutter kills productivity. Think essentials – useful YET delightful.

Ambiance matters. Even science has proven it, music helps with better focus. If silence makes you cranky or your neighbor's dog won’t stop yapping, invest in a Bluetooth speaker. Or a pair of noise-cancellation headphones. Curate your own playlist. Keep a good mix of instrumentals and acoustic tracks. Sound can be the failsafe stress burster and your secret productivity sauce.

Stepping out of your comfort zone rewards you with new skills. However, sometimes, staying in our comfort zone helps us thrive. Turn your work corner into your comfort zone. Light an aromatic candle, if you like. Keep a deck of affirmation cards to pick from. Have a bowl of mints or trail mix to munch on. Small additions like these keep your mind fresh and your brain ready to dive into the pool of work.

Your work desk doesn’t have to be a messy old snooze-fest. With some smart and thoughtful setup, it can become your happy place – where brilliant ideas flow and happy hormones thrive. The more personalized your desk is, the more likely you are to actually use it (and not retreat to bed with your laptop again). So go ahead, deck your work desk up. Your work-from-home burnt-out soul will look at you with nothing but gratitude!