Corporate Natalie’s Tips for a Functional Home Office

Corporate Natalie, known for her comedic takes on corporate America, shares her expertise on setting up a functional work-from-home space. Natalie Marshall became a familiar face during the pandemic, creating relatable content about adjusting to work-from-home life, and now, she offers practical tips for creating an effective workspace of any size. 

Choose the Right Spot

You don’t need a large or dedicated home office space to create an effective work environment. Natalie, who often works from a corner in her bedroom, emphasizes that the size of your space doesn’t really matter as long as it meets your needs. “You can create a home office nook anywhere in the house,” she says. “From corners and closets to nooks and rooms, don’t overlook spaces like the guest bedroom, attic, basement, or even the area under the stairs.”Her top recommendation? Choose a location free from distractions.

“I know it can be tricky to find the space, but as you’re thinking where you want to set-up shop, as much as you can I think it’s important to pick a spot away from distractions like the TV, roommates, kids, spouses, or whoever else you may be working from home with,” she advises. “If you can, I also recommend a spot where you’ll have natural light. If you don’t have a space near a window, you can always consider purchasing a floor or table lamp. I currently live in the basement of my house, so I have quite a few ring lights!”

Prioritize Your Background

When setting up your workspace, pay attention to the area directly behind you, especially if you frequently participate in video calls. “No one is going to know if your home desk is in the laundry room or under the stairs if you have a nice background,” Natalie says. Consider adding an accent wall shelves, or a nicely framed photo. Displaying items that reflect your personality or interests—like books, photos, plants, or artwork—not only personalizes your space but can also serve as conversation starters during calls.

Stay Connected

While aesthetics matter, functionality is equally crucial. When designing your home office, whether it’s a tiny nook or a full room, ensure you have strong internet access and nearby outlets. “Nothing is worse than having poor internet connection while you’re on a video call,” Natalie says. “When you’re setting up a work space at home, test a couple of video calls to make sure the video and sound are working efficiently from that spot.”

Natalie emphasizes the importance of placing your desk near an outlet. However, if that’s not possible, extension cords can suffice, as long as they provide reliable power. “Besides Wi-Fi connection, make sure your desk is near an outlet to ensure you can keep your computer charged throughout the day,” she says. “I also keep a phone charger and lamp plugged into the extension cord by my home desk.”

Stay Focused by Planning Breaks

When working from home, it’s easy to become distracted by household chores like laundry or dishes. Natalie suggests that the key to staying focused is creating a structured plan for your day, which includes scheduled snack or lunch breaks to keep you sharp. 

“I always look at my calendar the night before and make sure I have a few breaks built in,” she says. “I try to get away from my desk for my lunch break, but I do frequently end up multitasking and having the infamous ‘sad desk lunch,’ which I don’t actually really mind.” 

By planning breaks in advance, you’re less likely to be sidetracked by household tasks, which can enhance your productivity during work hours.

Add Functional Elements

Office supplies are essential for any home workspace, but without proper organization, they can quickly lead to clutter. Natalie suggests implementing an organizational system that works for you to keep your desk tidy. “I have an awesome organizer that helps me organize everything from chargers to pens and notebooks,” she says. “Knowing that everything is in its dedicated space saves me time and cuts down on the chaos when I’m really busy.”

Natalie also recommends having a small speaker or music player at your desk. “Good tunes are a must when it comes to getting your work done,” she says. Whether you enjoy soft instrumental tunes or upbeat pop music, the right sounds can create an environment conducive to focus.

Make Space for Lunch

For some, working from home offers the chance to enjoy a leisurely lunch at the dining room table. However, a survey by the sustainably grown lettuce brand Little Leaf Farms found that 76% of workers regularly eat lunch at their desks, and 68% actually prefer this setup despite the numerous “sad desk lunch” memes online.

If you’re using lunchtime to catch up on emails, ensure you have space for your lunch on your desk without compromising essentials like your keyboard, monitor, or planner.

“Being in the corporate world usually means running from one thing to the next all day long, so I try to choose a better-for-you lunch that keeps me going. I like having something convenient like Little Leaf Farms Salad Kits on hand because they taste great, come with all the ingredients you need, and stay fresh much longer than other salad kits,” Natalie says. “Little Leaf Farms also has a fun, limited-edition Happy Desk Salad Kit up for grabs for anyone wanting to spruce up their desk lunch!”