Working from home is the new normal for many, blurring the lines between professional and personal life. But what if your home office could be more than just a place to answer emails? What if it could be a hub for productivity and well-being? I figured out the perfect home office setup that helps me focus, move, and also gives me a sense of calm when I need it. Essentially, I’ve made my home office my own personal retreat!
Read on for my ultimate guide to a productive and movement friendly home office!
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But First: Creating a Zen Environment
If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’m a proponent of having less stuff. That’s especially true for your home office! Less visual distraction cultivates a sense of calm and clarity that fosters true zen and focus.
A cluttered space creates visual and mental chaos, preventing your mind from achieving an optimum state for work. By removing excess items, you strip away the noise and create an environment that feels spacious, clean, and intentionally ordered.
This intentional simplicity allows your mind to take a breathe, reducing the constant cognitive effort of processing unnecessary stimuli, and ultimately helps you achieve a peaceful, focused state where creativity and productivity can effortlessly flow.
The Foundation: Ergonomics & Flexibility
Adjustable Standing Desk: They say that sitting is the new smoking. Say goodbye to the afternoon slump – mentally and physically! An adjustable standing desk allows you to switch between sitting and standing, promoting better posture and circulation. Having an adjustable desk allows me to freely move and fidget, which increases my non exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). This is a must!
Treadmill Under Desk: Maximize your workday movement even more with a compact treadmill under your desk. This allows you to walk while working, increasing your daily steps and boosting energy levels. Even walking at the slowest snail pace is great for your circulation. I typically do 1.4 pace. But I don’t prefer to walk while doing video calls or when I need to do deep work.
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: Reduce cable clutter and improve ergonomics with a wireless keyboard and mouse. A minimalistic desk set up keeps my mind calm and helps me focus.
Movement & Wellness Integration
Mini Trampoline (Rebounder): A fun and effective way to get your blood flowing! A mini trampoline provides low-impact cardio, improves lymphatic drainage, and boosts mood. It’s perfect for short breaks between meetings or a quick energy boost.
Did you know that NASA found that 10 minutes of rebounding on a mini-trampoline can be significantly more effective – up to 68% more effective – than 30 minutes of jogging for achieving cardiovascular benefits at equivalent levels of heart rate and oxygen uptake (Source)
I love rebounding because it allows me to achieve a high cardiovascular intensity with less perceived physical strain. This means I can sustain a higher heart rate for longer periods without feeling as exhausted doing traditional high-impact cardio!
Kettlebells: Strength training doesn’t have to be time-consuming. A set of kettlebells or even just one allows for quick and effective workouts, building strength and endurance.
I only have one 35 lb kettlebell as I find that weight heavy enough to meet both my strength and cardio needs. My personal favorite exercises are: lower body – kettlebell deadlifts/squats, upper body – rows, cardio – swings!
Yoga Mat: I love that you can get yoga mats in a variety colors and designs to enhance your office ambiance. I always have one rolled out so it makes it easier to just use it – low barrier to entry. A beautiful and inviting yoga mat calls out to be used for movement breaks.
Weighted Vest: Research has shown that you can burn 10-15% more calories compared to walking without a vest. One study found that individuals wearing a weighted vest corresponding to 11% of their body weight for eight hours per day over three weeks lost an average of 2.9 lbs of fat, without intentional exercise or diet changes. These participants were NOT walking, but just wearing the vest while doing their daily activities. This is an easy way to get your caloric burn on without even really knowing it! And during the winter months you can wear your vest under a sweater or jacket so no one notices while you’re doing virtual meetings 🙂
Free Weights: The standard to bust out some lunges, shoulder presses, rows, squats, you name it – a set of free weights can do it. You can get a set of lighter weights for upper body (shoulders, arms) and a set of heavier for lower body (squats, lunges).
Air Purifier: Improve air quality and reduce allergens with an air purifier. A clean and fresh environment promotes focus and well-being. I didn’t think I needed one since I open my windows, but since I’ve gotten my air purifier I can distinctly breathe the difference. The air just seems crisper and cleaner!
Personal Humidifier: Combat dry air, especially during winter months, with a personal humidifier. It can help alleviate dry skin, irritated sinuses, and improve breathing.
Breath Better Candles: Aromatherapy can significantly impact mood and focus. Choose candles with calming soft scents like lavender, eucalyptus, sage or mint. A tip is not to get a scent that is too powerful, after spending hours in your office, you’ll probably find it too overwhelming. In honesty, during the summer months I don’t even light my candles and just leave them out without a cover. You get just a whiff of light scent!
Crystals for EMF Protection: While the scientific evidence is debated, many people find crystals like Shungite or Black Tourmaline helpful for reducing the perceived effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Even without those benefits, I just love the look of crystals in my office. You can get a variety of different colors to match your office aesthetic. My personal favorites are rose quartz, amethyst, and jade.
Self Care Items: These little comforts (e.g lotion, lip balm, cuticle cream, essential oils, etc) can make a big difference in your daily comfort. Keep them within reach for quick self-care breaks. I like to keep my tissue box and self care items on a spinny lazy susan for easy access!
Portable cordless vacuum: To keep your office dust free and clean, I store my cordless vaccuum in my cord organizer/hider. It’s so cute and small yet effective!
Cord organizer/hider: Unsightly cords really ruin the aesthetic of your office. Keep it clean and tidy by getting this cord organizer box. It even holds a 7 outlet power cord!
Desk Mat: For function, protect your desk with a soft desk mat, but for beauty, it adds layers to your desk and complements a well appointed, organized and welcoming workspace.
The Little Details That Make a Big Difference
Good Lighting: Natural light is ideal, but if that’s not possible, invest in a decorative ceiling light, reading light, desk light and floor lamp. These 3 different sources of lighting create beautiful dimension to your space. But remember, keep the lighting warm! You do not want lighting that contradicts itself. If you do need to work in the evenings, the warm ambient light is inviting and sets the tone for winding down before bed.
Plants: Add some greenery to your space! Plants not only improve air quality but also create a calming and inviting atmosphere. I get my plants from Easyplant – because they water themselves. They are the ONLY plant that I’ve been able to keep alive for more than 3 months. The customer service is amazing too.
Why This Setup Works
By creating a home office that supports both productivity and movement, you can achieve a better work-life balance and thrive in a remote/hybrid work environment. You may even find that you want to stay in your office longer!
Let’s stay connected! Next time, I’ll be writing tips on how to incorporate movement into your working day including what type of exercises, how often and when to do them!
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