It’s been months since the government has imposed mandatory work-from-home policies due to the pandemic. Unfortunately for others, because of their industry, the remote work arrangement wouldn’t just work.

For some, however, especially for those who are in the tech industry, this setup is even helpful. First of all, they get to spend more time with their families. Second, there’s no need to commute every day just to get to the office. Third, remote working arrangements are usually flexible. And lastly, you will only need to wear your office clothes when you are in a Zoom meeting. So that’s a button-down top and sweatpants?

On the other side of the coin, working from home can affect our productivity. And we are not just talking about kids playing around while you’re having a very serious meeting. It’s also the fact that we have always associated our home as our personal sanctuary where we get to relax and just focus on our personal lives. At the same time, the office has always been the place where business happens. Now that we have to bring work at home, somehow, work-life balance becomes harder to maintain.

However, at this point, some of us really have no choice but to comply. Therefore, we just need to find ways on how to be more productive while at home. Let’s start by creating a home office. Here are some tips on how you can turn a small space of your home into an office.

1. Find space.

This is probably the most important one. It’s better if you actually have a spare room in your home. If not, set an area in your room where you can work. Once you’ve found your spot, get rid of unnecessary stuff, and clean up.

2. Consider the lighting.

We can’t really be picky when it comes to the room that we’ll turn into a home office since, in a common Filipino household, we don’t normally have it. However, if you have the chance, pick a room that has windows and good lighting. This will help you stay inspired while working.

3. Consider the color.

If you don’t have much lighting, opt for a bright space as this will stimulate ideas and boost your creativity. Refrain from picking shades of blue since they could make you feel sleepy and sluggish.

4. Find the proper desk and chair.

They don’t necessarily have to be expensive. As long as they feel comfortable and you have enough space for your stuff, they should work.

5. Have enough space for equipment.

Having some office equipment for your home office would make you more productive. And if you have them already, like printers, scanners, etc., make sure you have enough room to store them.

In the new normal, all we can do for now is try our best to adjust to the circumstances and maximize our resources. It wouldn’t be as bad as we think it is if we just try.