Add Some Color to Home Your Decor This Spring By Changing These Things

After a winter filled with all things warm and fuzzy, it’s time to spruce up your apartment for spring. With sunnier days and warmer weather on the horizon, it’s a great time to lighten up your space and bring some new life to it. Color is a perfect way to do that! Here are a few simple ways to incorporate some color and give your home a fresh look.

New Bedding

All winter long your bedroom was probably a key space for staying warm and maintaining that cozy feeling, but now it’s time to lighten things up. Your bedding is a great place to start.

If you have a duvet, think about purchasing a new duvet cover in a bright spring color. If you have bedspread or comforter that you love, can you add a throw blanket or a bed scarf in an accent color that has you thinking of spring? Those accent pieces can brighten up your bedroom without making huge changes.

You can also consider changing out the throw pillows for brightly colored patterns that complement your current bedding.

And, while nobody but you may see them, consider changing your linens. Put away the flannels and grab some lightweight cotton sheets in vibrant colors like lemon yellow or sky blue.

Flowers

Whoever said, “Flowers can’t solve all the problems, but they’re a great start,” definitely knew what they were talking about. Spring is the ideal season to bring in some gorgeous bouquets to brighten up your home.

Tulips are an obvious choice in the spring. And, with so many gorgeous colors available you’ll probably find yourself picking up several bunches. Lilacs, daisies, and hydrangeas are also excellent choices.

Don’t forget to think about how you’ll display your flowers. A bright yellow vase can be the perfect accent to lovely purple lilacs, or a neutral color can make your flowers stand out even more.

Kitchen Rug

You may or may not have a rug under your kitchen table, but this is an ideal way to add color to your kitchen – a space that can often be overlooked when it comes to updating your home decor. You can find some great art deco patterns with a spring color palette if that’s your style. Or, perhaps, you’d like a floral design to go with the season.

If you don’t want to put a rug under your dining table, think about adding a bright kitchen floor mat by your sink. This will not only bring a small pop of color to your kitchen but will also provide some cushion for your feet when you stand by the sink.

Change Your Art

When it comes to your living room, it’s costly to change out major pieces like a sofa or chair, but you can change your art and easily change the look of your space. Many of your off-price retailers (like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s) have great selections of art that won’t break the bank. Seek out bright colors that will draw your eye to the art and away from parts of the room that you are not able to change or still remind you of winter.

Many of these tips can be carried out throughout your entire home. Bright pillows or a blanket can be added to your sofa. A new sunshine yellow rug might look perfect in your bedroom. And flowers are a great addition to any room.

Do you change up your decor as the seasons change? What changes do you make? What are your favorite colors to use for spring decorating? Share your ideas!

5 Weekend Warrior Projects for Fall

Who doesn’t love to hear, “Where did you get that? I love it!” It’s even sweeter when you get to reply with, “I made it!” Weekend warrior projects can be quick changes that make a huge impact on the style and design of the room. Any skill level craftsman can do a weekend project to transform the home into a new space.

  1. Refinish Furniture: Do you have old furniture that needs a little TLC? Tackle your design project over the weekend to update an old piece of furniture. The dated style can be brought into this decade with a little inspiration. Figure out what style you want to use for your piece, and go to town. You can remove the varnish, paint it, distress it, sand it, or refinish the piece by adding in new hardware. Cover the table top with a wallpaper print that you love, or make it mid century modern by adding funky legs to the ends. Do some research online to see what direction you want to go, and give your hand a try at refinishing it. The best part is that you can’t mess up. The worst that happens is that you need to sand it down again or repaint it.
  2. Mount Collage of Pictures: Picture collages are a great way to show off your personal style. Creating a collage takes planning, buying frames, measuring, and then hanging them on your favorite wall. The collage style with various size and design frames is very popular. It becomes an artwork in and of itself. Find a common theme among your pictures, print them out, and put them in the frames. Then lay out your frames on the floor or a table top to figure out the placement. Start by hanging the center picture, and move outward.
  3. Create a Window Garden: Adding greenery to your window or patio space is easy with a little planter garden. You can make your own planters by finding reclaimed wood. Nail it together, line it with plastic, and punch some holes in the bottom to let water drain. Fill your new planter with soil, and plant flowers, vegetables, herbs, or succulents.
  4. Chalkboard for Kids: Get a large piece of particle board and prime the wood by sanding and painting. Then, buy chalkboard paint and apply several layers to the board. Once it’s dry, you can add a wood trim border and paint it with your child’s favorite color. They’ll have hours of fun drawing or learning how to write their letters with their own chalkboard.
  5. Make a Headboard: Another great way to use reclaimed wood is by creating your own headboard. Bring a rustic feel to your bedroom by distressing the wood, using a chalk paint, and fitting different sized pieces together. It’ll add tons of dimension to the room, and turn your mattress into a cozy bed.

Once you start creating, you’ll have a hard time stopping. Make a storage container into a comfy ottoman, or make a bookshelf that matches everything in the room. Whatever you can think of, chances are that you can make it. Save money, and add a touch of your own creativity to the room by DIYing little projects throughout your apartment.

Pros and Cons Of A Personal Apartment Garage

You’ve found your dream apartment in an ideal location. Now you have to think about all of the other little details about living. Parking is always a hassle, and you want a guaranteed spot. You’re settling in, and you’re considering upgrading to a personal garage. There are plenty of benefits that come with having your own garage, but there are some cons to consider, too.

Pros

  1. Full Protection: You won’t have to worry about what the weather will do to your car, because it will be completely protected. Hail? Bring it on. Strong winds? No worries. Your vehicle will be protected in rain or shine with a full garage. Plus, the paint job will be protected from the general wear and tear that the elements do to a car. You can save money on touch ups and constant wax jobs, and won’t have to worry about dings from folks opening their car door and letting it bump into yours. No more squeezing in your car if someone parks too close to you! You’ll have all the protection from the weather as well as accidents from neighbors.
  2. Temperature Control: The garage isn’t completely air controlled, but it does help regulate from the extremes that the weather can bring. During those cold winter months, you won’t have to brace yourself to brush the snow off of your vehicle, only to jump in the car and have to wait for it to warm up. Same for the summer. It’s blazing, and the car can be dangerously hot, especially if you have small children or elderly folks riding in the car. The garage will provide some relief from those extremes, so you don’t have to wait for the A/C to kick in, or the engine to warm up.
  3. Extra Storage Space: Space is the number one most coveted thing in homes. We all want more space to store our things. Especially in apartments where space is even more limited. Having a garage can easily double or triple your storage space. Set up a garage shelving unit, and stack as many boxes as it can hold. You’ll have more space for Christmas decorations, Halloween, and other special occasions.

Cons

  1. Cost: It is more expensive than having a regular parking space. They come with a cost because there aren’t as many of them, and they do offer a lot of benefits like the extra space. It’s a cost that you should consider. You’re going to be paying for parking anyways, so see if it’s in the budget to spend a little more to get a better deal.
  2. Limited Space: Most families have two cars, if not more. Usually, attached garages are designed to house one vehicle at a time. Either you’ll need to decide which car will reside in the garage, or you’ll agree to switch off depending on who needs it most. It will usually go to the partner who is caring for children or elderly. It’s a safe location to load everyone in, and easier to manage with the weather.

With your own personal garage, you’ll never have to wonder if there will be a space near the door. You can unload groceries easily, and save extra time by not walking across the parking lot. Plus, it’s much safer for kids and the car itself. See if it’s in the budget, and talk to your leasing office today to see if there are available spots in your building.

Fast & Effective Workouts That You Can Do Without A Gym

You don’t need to have hours of free time to get fit. Take 15 minutes every morning and do a small routine to keep your muscles strong. Generally, men struggle with flexibility and leg strength, and women struggle with upper body strength. Don’t avoid the thing that you aren’t good at. Work your weakness, and stick with a plan so that you can see measurable results. 

  1. Abs
    1. V-Up’s: We all know what crunches are, but V-ups add in a extra punch. As you sit up, raise your legs at the same time. You want to touch your toes as you complete your crunch. Bring your arms and legs back down to the flood in a controlled manner, and raise them back up at the same time again. This is a quick way to work every abdominal muscle. It also challenges your balance, flexibility and coordination.
    2. Leg Raises: Lay flat on your back, and have your hands out by your side on the floor. Keeping your feet together, pick your feet off the floor about 6 inches. Raise your legs together to about 60 degrees off the floor. Lower them again, but don’t let them touch the floor. Keep going for sets of 10. As you advance, make them sets of 15.
    3. Vertical Crunches: Bring your feet up so that your soles are parallel to the ceiling. Raise your arms, and pick your shoulder blades off the floor to try to touch your toes. Keep your legs locked out with straight knees and flexed feet. You’ll feel this burn fast in your upper abs.
    4. Russian Twists: This is great for the obliques. Sit on the floor, and raise your feet about 6 inches. Keeping your feet off the floor, rotate and touch the floor with both hands next to your hips. If you want an extra challenge, hold a weight and touch the floor with it.
  2. Legs
    1. Lunges: Lunges are excellent for the glutes. Step forward and bring your back knee to the floor. The front leg should have the shin perpendicular to the floor. Drive through the heel on the ground to stand.
    2. Squats: With wide feet, send your hips back first, and descend to a seated position. Keep your chest high by raising your arms as you go down. You want to have your hip crease and your knee be at the same level. For an extra boost, take 3-4 seconds on your descent and shoot up to complete the squat.
    3. Glute Bridges: Lay on your back, and bring your heels as close to your backside as possible. Shoot your hips up to the ceiling, keeping your feet, arms, and shoulders on the floor. You should have a sharp diagonal line in your torso.  
  3. Chest/Back
    1. Push Ups: Start in a plank position with your hands on the floor. You want to keep your arms close to the body, with the elbows pointing towards your feet. Lower yourself down to the floor, and press out.
    2. Superman: Lay on the floor face down. Raise your arms and legs off the floor at the same time. Keep them as high as you possibly can, and hold this position for 30 seconds at a time.
    3. Handstands: You can lean against a wall, or you can do this free. With a tight core, hold yourself upside down with your arms locked out for 30 seconds at a time. For an extra challenge, try and touch your shoulder with the opposite hand.

Do a few of each movement every day, and you will see results within a week. You can increase the number of reps as you go. Make sure to write it down so you can see the progression as you get stronger. Doing these body weight movements are simple and easy things that you can do anywhere at any time.

How to Baby Proof (or Child Proof) Your Apartment/Living Space

Kids are fantastic. They are miniature, little balls of energy that are so full of life. Everything the see is interesting and new and they want to learn everything about it. It’s excellent for their little minds, but not always the best thing for their health. Keep the kids in your apartment safe by going through these simple steps to make it a baby proof area.

  1. Move Breakable/Valuables: Kids are curious, and they don’t mean any harm, but they can be very destructive as they move through the house. They don’t identify value and sentimental meaning to things yet. Everything looks like a toy to them, which is why it’s important to move breakable and valuable items to a top shelf, or to remove them altogether. Tuck the things that you want to keep safe in a storage area far away for little hands. A stray ball or a bump could send your favorite things crashing to the floor.
  2. Crawl On The Floor: The best way to know if your apartment is baby proof is to get on their level. By changing your perspective, you’ll see the things that the child will have at eye level. Secure cords that are plugged in so they don’t pull on them, cover sockets with plastic protectors, and move electronics with batteries out of reach. You’ll notice other areas that may need to be cleaned so you can rest easy when the child puts their hands in their mouth.
  3. Get Rid Of Small Pieces: Small children explore the world through their mouth. Our mouths contain a large number of sensory nerves that help kids identify their world around them. But, they don’t understand the dangers in swallowing non-food items. Infant Children to 5 are more likely to choke on a small object than older children. Board games and hair accessories are the perfect size for a child to swallow and choke on. Do a big sweep of the house and clean out under furniture to get rid of any hidden pieces of trash that can be choking hazards.
  4. Toy Area: Give the child a designated toy/play area. Make them feel at home with a little slice of the apartment to call their own. They can make a mess with the toys and everything is out of the way of the other living space areas. Give them easy access storage bins and floating book shelves to keep their things on. It’ll make them happy, which will make you happy.
  5. Secure Furniture: One of the most dangerous things for kids is falling furniture. Kids love to climb. They want to reach everything that they can’t, and so they decide to climb on things to get higher. Furniture wasn’t meant to be climbed on, which is why it can topple over, which would seriously injure the child. Fascen things down to prevent anything or anyone from getting broken.
  6. Harmful Chemicals: Make sure to lock up any cleaning or toiletry items that can be poisonous. Band the drawers together, or remove the hazardous material altogether. Convenience is not worth an emergency visit to the ER.

Kids are easy. Give them a safe zone to play in, and they will take care of the rest. All they need other than that is some love and encouragement. Let them learn and grow by making mistakes, as long as those risks don’t involve any major injuries. You’ll have a relaxed mind while the child roams around the house having a great time.

Easy Spring Crafts to Spruce Up Your Apartment

Spring is around the corner, and you’re ready for a new look. Take a break from all of the Spring cleaning to add design to your home with fun DIY projects. All of these crafts are simple that will fit nicely in any apartment. Save some money on redecorating, and let your creative juices flow.

  1. Gold Leaf Throw Pillows: Everyone loves a little sparkle to the room. Especially when you can customize the design to match your decor. Throw pillows are a cheap, and fun way to update your living room. Buy swatches of canvas in the color of your choice. Then, tape off the design that you want displayed. Apply the adhesive, and then lay the gold leaf over the fabric. Read your gold leaf instructions to see about drying time. Peel up the remaining gold leaf, and remove the tape. Close up three sides of your fabric and insert stuffing or a filler pillow. You can close up the fourth side by sewing it shut, adding a zipper, or having an added flap for an envelope fold. These pillows are beautiful, but they don’t hold up well under high wear and tear. Place them in less frequently used chairs, or move them out of the way when you go sit on the couch. These also make excellent accent pieces for the bed.
  2. Modernize Old Furniture: You inherited your grandmother’s old nightstands, but they don’t go with your style. The good news is that retro throwbacks and rustic chic is in right now. Transform the dated furniture piece into something you love with a little chalk paint and new hardware.

Sand off any existing paint or varnish to expose the wood underneath. Some paints don’t require this step. Read your instructions carefully before starting. Paint the furniture with your choice of chalk paint. It’ll take a few coats of paint to get full coverage. After it dries, sand the piece by hand to distress it for a weathered look. Then, wipe it with a clean dry cloth and seal with a coat of wax. It takes about 3 weeks for the wax to fully dry, so be careful with your piece during this time.

While it’s drying, you can choose new hardware piece to add the modern touch of class. Buy fun knobs and handles to let your personality shine. Make sure to measure the drawer width to get a screw that is long enough to secure on the inside.

  1. Shiplap Headboard: Shiplap is reclaimed wood that already has the character and stains from previous use. Join your shiplap together in horizontal strips to fit above your bed. Stagger the boards for an interesting design, or keep them all in line. Have all of the boards begin and end at the edge of your bed for a clean look. You can stain, paint, or distress your boards however you want before you attach them to the wall. Secure the wood to studs behind the wall with nails or screws. These will be too heavy for regular sheetrock to hold up.
  2. Crate End Tables: Find an old wooden crate that needs some love. You can paint or stain it the color that you want. Wrap the handles in twine, hemp, or string, and secure with hot glue. After your crate is dry and wrapped, then decide where it is going to go, so you know which side to put the legs on. Screw the legs into the table. Hairpin legs are a modern twist, but you can choose whichever legs you like to add on to your new end table.

Little touches are what make the room complete. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to make the space seem like new. Nothing says Spring like new touches to the room and a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. All of these crafts are fun to do with friends. Get some wine, go outside, and make a day of crafting away.

Tips for Living With A Roommate

It can be wonderful living with a roommate–but it can also be a nightmare. When you move in with someone new, you need to establish some clear expectations so that lines don’t get crossed. It’s great to save money on the rent and to have a constant companion at home, but things can get hairy if both parties aren’t on the same page.

  1. Clear Communication: This can be one of the hardest things to do, because first, you must be honest with yourself. You have to know what your top priorities are and how to effectively communicate that to someone else. If it’s important to you that the dishes be done every night, make that known. Likewise, if your roommate says that they absolutely don’t want to share the milk, respect that, and don’t drink their milk. It may not make sense to you, but by being open and honest with each other, you can avoid a lot of tension and problems.
  2. Give Each Other Space: Not everyone wants to be with someone 24/7. Sometimes people need time to be alone and lounge around. Whether you are friends with your roommate or not, remember that it’s valuable to spend time apart. Tell your roommate that after work you’d like to be left alone for the first hour of being home. It’s ok to be honest about what you need.
  3. Clean Up After Yourself: This may seem simple, but it is usually the first thing to go once you get comfortable with each other. If you use the last of the paper towels, then replace them. If you made a mess in the kitchen, don’t wait to be told to clean it up. Your roommate isn’t your parent, and shouldn’t have to clean up after you. Take pride in your home and keep it tidy. It doesn’t have to sparkle everyday, but maintain a comfortable space for both you and your roommate.TIP: Split the chores evenly. Make a chore list with items that needs to happen every day, every week, and every year and even split it between the roommates. When it’s your turn to do a chore, don’t shrug off your duties, leaving it for your roommate to do. Take responsibility and take out the trash when it needs to go out.
  4. Pay Your Bills On Time: Money is tight. No matter what job you have or how much you work, money always seems to be hard to come by. Don’t assume that you can be a few days late on the utilities bill because your roommate has the “better job”. You don’t know all of their finances and what other bills may need to be paid. Not to mention that this means you have other underlying issues. In a worse case scenario, tell your roommate upfront when you see that you may be having some financial trouble. Communicate with them, and then do your very best to make it right by holding up your end of the bargain. Sometimes that may mean foregoing happy hour every now and then.
  5. Share the Living Space: Respect that you both share a living space. It’s not yours alone. Don’t constantly invite friends over to take up the shared living space, cramming your roommate out. Simple things like sharing the remote control to the T.V. are important.

Having a roommate can be one of the best experiences if you keep open lines of communication and treat each other with mutual respect. Listen to and honor the requests that your roommate makes, and be mindful of how you are using the shared space. If you keep each other as a priority, then you’ll have a great time living with your roommate.

Super Bowl Party Ideas/Tips

The Eagles are making it to The Big Game this year to spar off with the Patriots. Whether you’re a football fan or not, the Super Bowl is something you shouldn’t miss. (Even if you just watch it for the commercials, or the halftime show.) No matter what side you are on, hosting a Super Bowl party is tons of fun! Here are some game-day tips to make your Superbowl party one for the books.

  1. Open Seating: For your game day party crowd, set up plenty of seating, all with an excellent view of the big screen. You want to do your best to keep everyone together in the same room. A party doesn’t flow if there are pockets of people scattered around.

To make the room even more spacious, move everything that you can out, and bring in more chairs. If there is anything that is valuable to you, move it. When the touchdowns start, highfives will fly, and sometimes things can get a little out of hand. Move your vases and expensive rugs to another storage area until the game is over. By moving these things out of the way, you can relax knowing that all of your valuables are safe.

  1. Team Color Garland: Toss in some team spirit by decorating with team color garland. You can make some yourself with ribbons or streamers, or you can buy them at the store. Hang these garland strings up around windows, tables, or anywhere that needs some extra color. A little bit of festive color can turn your living room into the stadium.
  2. It’s All About the Food: The Super Bowl party wouldn’t be the same without tons of delicious food to eat. Have simple finger foods ready to go so people can graze the entire night. This isn’t the time for an elaborate sit down meal. You want to have quick bites of things you can hold so your guests can keep talking and watching the game. You’ll see people come back and forth to keep filling up their plate in between plays.

Simple is better. Go for tried and true classics that are little fuss. Serve things like meatballs, chips and dip, slider sandwiches, and fruit and veggie trays. You can always ask your guests to help out by bringing one of the dishes. You don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen all night. You want to be out watching the game and being with your friends. Choose simple this time around, and enjoy the night.

  1. Disposable Everything: Cleaning is the last thing you want to do after a big party. Make life easy on yourself, and get disposable plates, cups, and utensils. Plus, it also prevents any accidents with broken plates or glassware. The ref could make a bad call causing everyone to go in an uproar, and then a glass gets bumped and smashes to the ground. Stop that scenario in its tracks by only using disposable cups.
  2. Game Day Drink: BYOB will never get old, but you can also offer up a new twist to make the party extra fun. Create a drink that is the same color of your favorite team. You can spike it, or leave it virgin; either way, it turns a regular party into something a little more special.

Start inviting your friends and family now for your Super Bowl party. The game will be on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 6:30pm. You also have Justin Timerberlake to look forward to as the halftime show. Plan your party now, and root your team on!

How To Be a Good Tenant

Everyone likes to believe that they are a great tenant, but the reality is that not everyone makes the cut. There are some common actions that tenants take (or don’t take) that actually drive landlords nuts! To keep your landlord or property manager sane, strive to be a good tenant by following this simple advice:

Read Your Lease

It makes landlords cringe when they have a tenant who didn’t read the lease thoroughly.  How can you sign your name on a legally binding contract that you didn’t even read?  Most tenants do not think of the consequences at the time, but signing a lease agreement is the most important step of leasing an apartment.  Knowing whether there is something in the lease that you don’t agree with might help as well.  If there is something in the lease that you don’t understand or have questions about, this is the time that you would address any questions or concerns.  In order to avoid any surprises 5 months after you move in, make sure you read your lease thoroughly the first time.

Don’t Change the Rules Without a Written Agreement

If you signed a lease that specifically says “don’t,” you must abide.  If the owner has stated in the lease agreement that you are not able to have pets, or paint the walls, then you are legally not able to do so.  However, just because it’s in the lease agreement now, doesn’t mean that it needs to remain that way.  There are ways around being able to have a pet, or paint the walls, even if it’s stated in the lease agreement not to do so.  Rather than giving the landlord a quick phone call, and asking him about having a small pet, have him agree to this in writing.  If the landlord agrees, protect yourself legally by having the landlord sign a letter that states you are able to have a pet.  Be sure to store this letter in a safe place for future reference.

Submit Maintenance Requests in Writing

Always submit your non-emergency maintenance requests to your landlord in writing, such as email.  Following up with a phone call is acceptable.  Although landlords do prefer to be notified of maintenance issues, it is a good idea to keep in mind that some maintenance issues can be taken care of yourself.  For instance, if a light bulb goes out, there is no need to bug your landlord.  Simply fix it yourself in under 5 minutes.

Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done To You

This includes being a respectful and courteous tenant and neighbor.  Landlords are often involved with mediating arguments between tenants.  Rather than involving the landlord, simply settle any arguments that you have with other tenants.  Don’t be passive-aggressive with your neighbors, and address any problems directly.  The goal is not to argue, but to create an environment where all parties can live in peace.  

Respect Your Home

Landlords always fear the condition of the home when a 12 month lease is up.  Don’t be that tenant that every landlord fears.  Try to keep your home clean and in a sanitary condition.  If you have any pets, then pick up after them and clean regularly.

Pay Your Rent on Time

Just because you have a “grace” period, does not mean that you should use it.  Although many leases do not charge a late fee until 3-5 days after the due date, you should never wait to pay within the grace period.  This is primarily because if you ever need your landlord’s reference, he can state that you made late payments every month.  Make sure you avoid this, and make your payment on time.

Being the perfect tenant doesn’t require much at all.  Simply follow these rules, and you will be every landlord’s dream tenant!

How to Get the Most Out of Working From Home

As the internet changes the way we work, more and more are finding that they can now work from the comfort of their home. While you might dream of sleeping in and casually getting to your work whenever you feel like it, working remotely isn’t always like that. Setting out to work from home with the wrong expectations and no solid strategy is setting yourself up for some disappointment. So, make use of these tips to make your remote working experience more manageable.

Treat Your Work Like Any Other Job

Many people who haven’t worked from home before often see it through rose-tinted glasses. They imagine a situation in which they can work whenever they feel like it, unrestricted by pesky bosses and office politics. While that might be true, there’s a flipside to that – you have to have quite the discipline to make sure you actually get to work. Many remote workers find that working regular hours, getting dressed as they would for an in-person job, and avoiding distractions, just as they would in any other job, help them stay on task.  

Set a Schedule and Stick to It

When you’re working from home, you’re mixing your professional life with your personal life, so it’s important to set a regular schedule that keeps the two separate. Whether you choose to work three hours a day or ten, it’s going to be a lot easier if you know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to relax. The reverse is true as well. Many remote workers find that they actually work longer hours than traditional employees. Business never sleeps, and it can be easy to overwork yourself. That’s why it’s helpful to set boundaries so you can recoup and take your mind off work.

Craft a Productive Workspace

When you choose to work from home, you miss out on some of the perks of a workplace. That includes a nice desk, chair, and computer. While there’s no question that you can get some work done from the sofa (or even your bed!), you might find that you’re not as productive as you would be with the traditional office setup. If you plan on doing a considerable amount of work from home, you’ll want to set up your workspace so that you’re comfortable, focused, and away from any potential distractions.  

Don’t Forget to Socialize

In a traditional workplace, your coworkers can be one of the biggest perks of the job – or one of your biggest nightmares. Whether you prefer to work on your own or not, working from home day-in, day-out can get very lonesome. Try to meet up with friends every now and then so you can at least get out of the house and blow off a little steam. Plus, when you don’t hang out around the watercooler, you miss out on hearing of any potential new work opportunities or possible advancements, so it might be worth it to join some professional networking groups in your area.