This sleek city apartment does work/life balance right
Over the last two years, we’ve all learned to do more at home, our spaces working double (sometimes triple) duty as we juggle the mix. With work and home lives more blended than ever, finding balance is no easy feat.
Outfitted in hardworking furniture, a versatile palette and a rich material mix, this sleek duplex in Manhattan’s East Village offers inspiration for the quest—carving out thoughtful spaces to meet different daily needs. We talked to wellness experts Maya Feller and Jeannette Odgen about how to set your home up for a work/life balance grounded in healthy habits.
Power down
“Working and living in the same space encourages a ‘work all the time’ mentality,” Maya says. “It’ll help if your workspace can be shut down at the end of the day.”
A setup under the stairs maximizes square footage and keeps office responsibilities out of sight once you leave your desk.
“Get some sunshine,” Jeannette says. “Even 10 to 15 minutes a day makes a big difference in overall happiness.”
One way to master mindfulness? “Work on intentionality,” says Maya, a registered dietician. “Having a beautiful bowl on the counter for fruits and vegetables makes it more likely they’ll show up in your shopping cart.”
Likewise, an outdoor space styled with indoor comforts ups the odds you’ll use it. Opt to relax, recharge or even take some Zoom calls in the fresh air.
“Anyone can incorporate wellness into their day. Focus on one area you’d like to improve and go for it. Small actions build habits, and habits build momentum.”
—Jeannette Odgen aka @shutthekaleup
“Wellness can be as simple as choosing dinnerware that makes mealtime something to look forward to,” Maya says.
Maya recommends decluttering as a way to provide visual relief and create a sense of calm at home. The key to a light and airy space is clean-lined furniture. Crisp upholstery and leggy silhouettes minimize visual clutter.
“Take breaks!” says Jeannette. “Give 100% in everything you do, but once a task is done, it’s done. This will allow you to enjoy your downtime 100%, too.”
Jeannette encourages moving your body daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes. “The quickest exercises can still improve your mood,” she says. An unused corner of your bedroom can pull double-duty as a spot to lounge or lunge. A high-backed chair in a durable fabric can play backdrop to reading or workout routines alike.