Working from home isn’t for everyone, but it can be valuable to some employees. Taking a WFH job means the employee can customize their personal workspace how they want—within certain boundaries, of course.

That said, having this freedom can be problematic when overlooking important details. Get familiar with the top mistakes to avoid when designing a home office so that you can set yourself up for success.

1. Choosing an Uncomfortable Chair

Overlooking a comfortable chair is good for various reasons. Maybe you’re not ready to invest in a quality chair. It’s understandable to want to cut corners here, but working on an ergonomic chair is critical for keeping your body healthy and your mind productive. The chair itself isn’t the only detail to consider. Pair a cozy chair with a stable chair mat so that you can move around your workspace comfortably.

You shouldn’t have to shimmy your chair across the floor—a great mat will help you move smoothly whenever necessary. Bad workplace habits can contribute to chronic pain developing over time. Understanding the connection between mental health and chronic pain will help you live a productive and accommodating lifestyle at home.

2. Neglecting Sufficient Storage

A big mistake to avoid when designing a home office is improvising your storage. If you have a spacious desk with drawers, that may seem like enough at first, but consider your long-term needs. If your job requires organizing ample files, paperwork, notes, and other supplies, set up enough storage. Shelving units and drawers come in many shapes and sizes, so you must find a way to accommodate your workload.

Not everyone’s work-from-home tasks are the same, so the perfect drawer or shelf size will vary between employees. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean you have to fill the walls with empty shelves because you may fill them all one day. You should aim to have enough storage in your home office for the future. This way, you won’t run the risk of accumulating desktop or ground clutter that creates a disorganized mess.

3. Making the Space Too Relaxing

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You should feel comfortable in your workspace to prioritize your mental and physical health. That said, there is such a thing as making an office too relaxing. For instance, working next to a couch or your bed at home can lead to you laying down more often and spending less time at your desk. If you find yourself in this situation, either find a new place in your home to call an office or update the room accordingly.

Some people can work right beside their bed without an issue, so don’t feel like you must change your setup if it already works for you. If having a couch in the space helps you take breaks between work tasks to boost productivity, that’s excellent. However, if you find yourself relaxing too much during work hours, then it’s time to redesign the space with a more professional eye.