Natalie Marshall (popularly known as Corporate Natalie) is known for her comedic social videos that highlight the nuances of working in corporate America. She has become a household name during the pandemic, as her videos about adjusting to work-from-home life resonated with viewers.
And while many of us are back in the office (at least time-wise), the WFH lifestyle isn't going away anytime soon. Now working out of his office space in his bedroom, Natalie has become a pro at balancing it all and is sharing her top home office tips with us. Whether you work from home full-time or a few days a week, Natalie's advice will help you create an efficient (and tidy!) workspace at home.
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You don't need a large room or a dedicated home office space to create a functional work environment. Natalie, who routinely works from a corner of her bedroom, explains that size doesn't really matter as long as you can carve out a space that works for you. “You can create a home office nook anywhere in your home,” she says. “From nooks and closets to nooks and rooms, don't overlook spaces like guest bedrooms, attics, basements, and even under the stairs.”
Her top tip? Find a place with no distractions.
“We know space can be difficult to find, but when considering where you want to set up shop, it's important to choose a location as far away as possible from distractions such as TVs, roommates, and children. “I think it's your spouse, or anyone else you work with from home,” she says. “Preferably somewhere with natural light. If you don't have space near a window, you can always consider buying a floor lamp or table lamp. I currently live in the basement of my house, so I have a lot of ring lights. Yes!”
prioritize one's career
No matter where you set up shop, be sure to consider the space behind you, especially if you'll be doing a lot of video calls. “If you have a great career, no one will know whether your home desk is in the laundry room or under the stairs,” says Natalie. “Think an accent wall or shelf, or a nice framed photo. Also, display items that reflect your personality and interests: books, photos, plants, artwork, anything that represents you. You can also facilitate the initial conversation on a call.”
stay connected
Of course, functionality is just as important as aesthetics. When designing your home office, whether it's a small nook or a full room, consider access to the internet and electrical outlets. “There's nothing worse than having an unstable internet connection during a video call,” says Natalie. “If you set up a workspace at home, test a few video calls to make sure video and audio work efficiently from your location.”
Natalie says the ideal spot at your desk is next to an electrical outlet, but an extension cord is fine as long as you have access to a power source while you work. “In addition to a Wi-Fi connection, make sure your desk is near an electrical outlet so you can charge her computer throughout the day,” she says. “My phone charger and lamp are also plugged into an extension cord near my desk at home.”
Kim Cornelison
Plan your breaks to stay focused
When you work from home, it's easy to get distracted by laundry, dishes, and other things that need to be done around the house. Natalie says the key to staying on track while working from home is to plan your day well and include snacks and lunch breaks to stay focused.
“I always look at my calendar the night before to make sure I have some breaks built in,” she says. “I try to step away from my desk during my lunch break, but I often end up multitasking or eating the infamous 'sad desk lunch,' which I don't really care about.”
Planning your breaks in advance will help you be less distracted by household chores and chores, increasing your productivity during your workday.
Adding functional elements
Office supplies are a must for your home work space, but if you don't work from a physical office, these items can quickly become cluttered. Natalie suggests finding an organization system that works for you and keeping your desk space as organized as possible throughout her day. She “has great organizers that help organize everything from chargers to pens and notebooks,” she says. “Knowing that everything is in its own space saves time and eliminates clutter when you're really busy.”
She also recommends keeping a small speaker or music player on your desk. “Good music is essential to getting the job done,” she says. Whether she prefers soft instrumental music or loud pop tunes, she can create the most conducive environment for you.
Provided by Company Natalie/Little Leaf Farms
Reserve space for lunch
For some, working from home means relaxing lunch breaks at the dining room table. However, a recent consumer survey conducted by Little Leaf Farms, a brand of sustainably grown lettuce, found that 76% of employees consistently eat lunch at their desk and Despite all the sad desk lunch memes out there, 68% of people say they actually prefer desk lunches.
If lunch time is your designated email reception time, make space on your desk for lunch without sacrificing work essentials like your keyboard, monitor, and planner.
“Being in the corporate world usually means running around all day from one thing to the next, so I try to pick healthy lunches to keep me energized, like Little Leaf Farm's salad kits. I like having something convenient on hand because it tastes great, has all the ingredients I need, and stays much fresher than other salad kits,” says Natalie. “Little Leaf Farms also offers fun, limited-edition Happy Desk Salad Kits for those looking to spruce up their desk lunches.”