The following is a guest post by Chelsey Brown, founder and editor of City Chic Décor, a blog dedicated to providing guidelines and tricks for decorating and organizing small, rented spaces. If you’d like to contribute to the House of 334 blog and share your expertise, shoot us an email at houseof334@gmail.com.

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Nowadays, it’s so common to work from home. Whether it’s working from home once a week or working from home all the time, it’s so important to have a comfortable space to work in. Unfortunately, if you’re living in a small apartment, you may not have the luxury of having a dedicated work area. The tips below will ensure those who live in small spaces can easily work-from-home, even if they don’t have a desk. Check them out below!

Work on a hard surface: Whether it’s a stand-up tray or a foldable table, make sure you have some type of a flat surface to work on. Don’t assume your coffee table will work for this purpose. You need something high enough so you’re not bending down to read or to look at a computer. I personally either use a breakfast tray in bed OR my side table out in the living room as a desk!

De-clutter: Miscellaneous items laying around the area you’re working in can be a huge distraction. Make sure to tidy-up before starting your work to avoid any distractions / stress.

Embrace natural light: If possible, try to work in an area with natural light. This will not only give you a boost of happiness, but will make your work more productive as well.

Make your bed: Have to work from bed with a standup tray? Make your bed before you start to work! This will help prevent you from wanting to snuggle up and fall asleep! In addition, make sure you keep a supportive pillow behind you while working.

Create a to-do list: Keep a large to-do list hanging in the space where you’re working. This allows you to easily see the tasks you need to complete and will help you from feeling to overwhelmed. If you don’t have space for one, make sure to keep a notebook with your list nearby. A to-do list will always help inspire you to finish you work ASAP.

Move the remotes: Working from a space with a TV? Move the remote to the other side of the apartment so there’s no temptation!

Use noise canceling headphones: If there’s noise in the apartment you can’t get away from (like kids!), make sure to invest in some noise canceling headphones. You can buy budget-friendly ones from places like Amazon & Target!

Work in a space with neutral colors: If your living room is full of bright pops of color, you might want to stay away from that area when working. It’s scientifically proven that you will work more productively in an area with neutral, calming colors.

Media Tray, Gold Coffee Mug, Back Pillow, Gold Ink Pens, Noise Canceling Headphones, Magnetic Wall Calendar

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Chelsey Brown is the founder and editor of  City Chic Décor, specializing in renter solutions and design ideas. In addition, Chelsey is an Editor at the Dr. Oz Show. Her work has been showcased in popular publications and digital media such as Flea Market Decor Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Inspired by This and The Everygirl. Follow her on Instagram @CityChicDecor. And for more tips on decorating your living space, you can check out her blog or find her on Pinterest and Facebook.

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