How To Have Your Home And Work From It Too
By Shana Cohen, Design Director at Sunshine Interiors
Shana Cohen and Hodaya Rosenson, the dynamic duo behind Sunshine Interiors
Lately, we find ourselves in a bit of a tricky situation. Our home, which used to be, just our home, has turned into our whole world. Whether it's homeschooling, working, a coffee shop, date night, Gymboree and so much more, our homes have never had to be this multi-functional.
The question is, how do we manage to live harmoniously with all these functionalities. If there were one answer, that would be nice. But seeing as we are all so different, it is more of an individualistic approach with general guidelines.
But there is an achievable way forward- it's time to reimagine your home and your space.
The First Step: Know Thy Self and Thy Family.
When you know what triggers you, what makes it easier for you to concentrate, what makes it easier for you to be in a healthy space and develop the patience you need, then you can create the spaces and the habits that support that. The same rule applies to the opposite scenario- where in your home ends up being the messiest, and how does it make you feel? Begin by writing a list incorporating these points (triggers, concentration, good habits, bad habits, why it doesn’t work?)
The Second Step: Create The Right Spaces.
The better a space is defined, the better it functions.
Yes! Spaces, plural, not just a single space! Especially if you are working from home- the change of scenery goes a long way, and for each “work activity” you designate a space, then not only will you be more focused and engaged, but also less bored. These spaces should be activity-based e.g. what are your day to day activities for work, homeschooling, quiet time etc.
For example, thirty percent of my work is research mainly reading books and magazines, so for this I need- my books, a marker and pad of paper. And fifty percent of my work is sitting at a computer, usually in correspondence and writing summaries- for this, I need a laptop and space for my notepad. Another twenty percent is phone calls, and for this, I need my to-do list and a phone.
Once this list of activities is divided up and defined by what's needed for each one, you will need to figure out where these things can happen. For example, the research part could take place in a nice armchair with a small coffee table to the side. And the phone calls could be included in sort of short walk, or from the balcony. The concept is to have a primary workspace for the most significant chunk of your time and a secondary workspace for the more informal activities.
The Third Step: Creating and Maintaining Good Habits
Good habits include boundaries and taking your physical and mental health into account.
An excellent exercise which will bring your current habits into check is to manifest your intention for the space. All that means is that you need to add your desires or intentions alongside that list you already created. Write down the purpose of each area, even for the spaces that don't exist yet.
When you put these two lists, side by side, you may find yourself shocked by the fact that all you need to get onto the right side of the list is a good set of habits, boundaries and creativity.
Currently, the new buzzword in our design studio is boundaries. When talking about striking a work-life balance at home it has needed to become a part of our home vocabulary. This is because for our home to be multi-functional, each function needs to be well defined.
My favourite example of this is my dining room table; which currently doubles as our family dining table, but is also functioning as our group workspace. When the kids were home, and I was homeschooling and drifting between zooms, home, work, this space became the hub. (Except for my eldest who I noticed was having trouble concentrating while sitting). The kids had school from there during the day. I didn’t want my home to feel like a hub for school supplies continually and zoom meetings- especially when later whilst sitting on the couch in the evening I couldn't help but notice the overwhelming mess.
My fix for this problem was that every day at 4pm the table got completely cleared up. Not only cleared, but organized for the next day. There was a box for earphones, 2 cups for pencils and markers, laptops were put away, somebody cleaned the table, and the flowers found themselves back in their happy place. And every morning the table was re-set ready for school and a commotion of kids.
I share this specific example because it shows;
1. Clear boundaries: During the hours of 9am-4pm, my dining room table was/ is a school hub.
2. Healthy habits: organization is key to being able to make this work, I didn’t just clear off the table, but everything had a place and order also to make the setup easier the next day
3. The potential to unlock creative thinking: for my eldest, which I mentioned previously, I set up on a high counter space that I have in the kitchen as a standing desk, which helped him focus and he also became so much more involved in the classes.
To this I want to add a few words about health - mental and physical: it is of the utmost importance that you realize that you are an essential asset to your family and your company. For that reason alone, it is a necessary step to stay content and healthy! Some ways to incorporate this in your day today.
In your primary workspace: Surround yourself with plants or at least one! If you can’t access good warm lighting, place yourself near a window, for air and direct sunlight. Invest in a good work chair which in turn supports your posture and prevents muscular disorders. Have a jug of water on your desk. Take regular breaks and move your body any way you like to- walk, dance, sing, yoga, meditate.
The main thing to remember is that our homes should provide us with stability, warmth, security, comfort and the surroundings that we need. When designing and incorporating other spaces, this must be a mantra that you continuously return to. The way we go to sleep at night and the way we start our day in the morning will affect us in our work, our schooling and our home time. Having your home and working from it too is possible, and with the right perspective and attitude, you may well achieve this quicker. Be kind to yourself and know that first of all, it is possible. All you need to do is have and set the right boundaries, habits, and creativity in your home, and in turn, it will support you.
Sunshine Interiors is a Jerusalem-based architecture & Interior design studio devoted to creating your dream space, taking into account your lifestyle, taste and budget
A work/ life balance can all exist harmoniously if the spaces we create and inhabit support us. Planning, designing and creating these spaces is our speciality.
Our office space branch is devoted to helping companies "Glow their Business" through their space. Through research and experience Sunshine Interiors strives to be at the forefront of knowledge and implementation when it comes to office space planning and design.
Our home branch is devoted to harnessing your vision for your home and your family, taking into account your lifestyle,taste and budget to make sure you live in your sunshine. We use harmonious design techniques to achieve warm, functional spaces and believe in a design process focused on harnessing good energy, that's seen and felt in the end result of every project.
To get in contact with the Sunshine Interiors team, email office@mysunshine.co.il or call on 054611158/ 0544470046