Whether you’re setting new goals for your team or auditing your best practices, a new year is an opportunity to reflect and raise the bar at work. While the Covid-19 pandemic interrupted our lifestyles and forced some unforeseen changes as many employees transitioned to working from home, the shift has also created opportunities to design home office spaces that are personalized, comfortable and inspiring.

While some studies show that even during a pandemic, working remotely can be more productive, balancing well-being, work life and home life can still feel overwhelming. With some simple updates to your daily routine and office environment, you can position yourself to make 2021 the most balanced and focused year yet.

Build In A Fake Commute

For some, commuting before the Covid-19 era may have involved being stuck in gridlock or sharing minimal space on crowded trains. Even so, commuting has been linked to preparing your brain for the day ahead and can even aid in the mental transition back to your personal life after work. Make this transition a habit by recreating the commute in some way. Instead of getting on a train, for example, bike to a favorite coffee shop to start the day. After work, take a long stroll or spend time with a partner or your dog. Incorporating into your schedule a clear signal that it’s the end of the business day can benefit your physical and mental health as well as your career mindset.

Make Your Workspace One You Love

Being intentional about setting up your workspace can make a big difference. Take it from interior designer Moira Sedgwick, who transitioned her interior design business in 2020 to focus on transforming clients’ spaces to be more remote work-friendly during the pandemic. Sedgwick often prompts clients: “When you are working from home, you need to take stock of your space. Are you using it wisely? Is it a space you love to be in? If the answer is no, then you know there’s some changes to make.”

She also advises considering how you want your workspace to feel. If you want the space to feel calming and therapeutic, for instance, adding an essential oil diffuser with a tranquil scent can transform your space into a peaceful oasis.

Alternatively, if you want to be energized by your environment, try adjusting a room’s lighting in order to alter the ambiance. Add a desk lamp for softer light, for example, and rather than use overhead lights which can sometimes be too bright and draining, repurpose a table light from elsewhere in your home.

Setting up by a window for more sunlight can also help you stay energized and alert. If that’s not an option, try some light therapy which mimics the effects of the sun in your work station. Sedgwick also suggests incorporating literal energy to your space: Ensure you have enough nearby outlets for all of your devices and utilize power strips to keep chargeable items organized.

Lastly, Sedgwick advises against working from your bedroom if possible. "It's important to leave the space where you work so you can mentally transition out of your work day,” she says. If you really love working from your bed or the couch, however, invest in a sturdy lap desk.

Invest In Remote Work Items

No matter which workspace vibe you prefer, there are a few staple remote work items to help set you up for peak productivity. First, a durable and clean working surface is an asset. A solid desk space is ideal compared to your kitchen table or another space dedicated to non-work activities. As one example, a compact mobile standing desk is ideal for limited space and can be easily stashed aside.

You’ll also want to consider workspace ergonomics—designed with comfort and productivity in mind. Seated hunched over your computer for long periods of time can cause musculoskeletal disorders, which may lead to decreased performance and productivity. To better support your neck and shoulders, look into purchasing a laptop riser or a wireless keyboard. And if you don’t have an ergonomic office chair, a machine-washable office chair cushion can support your lower back and posture. A second monitor can help you keep tabs on all your different projects at once—even if it’s your TV, which you can connect to with a streaming stick or casting device.

Lastly, create a focus-friendly space by clearing out clutter. Go through each item and assess whether and how it contributes to your professional mindset. Does it distract you? Bring you comfort? Help or hurt your ability to focus? Asking these questions can help you only keep the products that truly support your productivity.

Elevate Your Digital Architecture

Tap into the variety of digital offerings that can support wellbeing and productivity. For managers that need to track their teams’ time, for instance, consider apps that can take the stress out of managing teams remotely.

Are you so used to office sounds that remote work makes it harder to focus? You’re in luck. Now you can immerse yourself in the whirs of printers and shuffling of papers with an app that recreates the sounds of an actual office space. If your pre-pandemic norm was working from a coffee shop, you can fill your home office with those sounds, too. If you struggle to maintain a zen headspace, try an app engineered to relieve stress and improve sleep. And if you have a hard time staying hydrated, there are also tools that track water intake.

Tapping into the bottomless variety of tools at your fingertips can give your business day—and your wellbeing—a boost. And whether that involves sprucing up your office or investing in a few desk staples, these simple adjustments can enhance your remote work experience and set you up to hit a new gear in 2021.

Published in partnership with Forbes

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.