Have a spare room in your home? Then you may want to think about turning it into a screen time room. This emerging trend is helping individuals and families alike find — and benefit from — unused space to escape the rigors of day-to-day life. Because while increasing productivity and adding balance to your everyday life is essential, so is carving out time to unwind and relax.
What is a Screen Time Room?
Technology often gets a bad rap. It’s said to warp attention spans; make us less productive at work; and decrease real life, in-person social interaction. And while all of this can be true, it’s mostly a product of too much screen time that leads to these less-than-desired behaviors.
So how can we put a stop to all the madness? Boundaries. Setting a timer or putting a limit on your or your child’s screen time may work for a select few, but for most of us, we need a little more separation.
This is where the screen time room comes in. It’s essentially a space or area where all of your electronics live — separate from the rest of your home. Having a distinct area to use your phone, tablet, TVs and more may seem extreme, but there’s a ton of scientific evidence that proves you can skyrocket productivity and focus by creating such a space.
Read on for a few ideas of how to nail the setup.
How Can You Create Separate Spaces?
Now, you don’t necessarily have to devote a whole room in the traditional sense to your screen zone, but creating a semblance of a designated space is key to creating boundaries.
The first step is to think about what makes sense for this space. Are you going to lounge about in the screen room? Have company over to watch a series or two? Then having a stylish sofa is a must.
Maybe your screen room will take on more of an office style vibe. In that case, a rustic desk or modern table may be the crucial piece needed.
No matter which screen setup speaks to you, one piece of furniture is key: storage. Try something with drawers or shelves to keep all those electronics, as well as everything that goes along with them (remotes, headsets and video equipment), housed together nicely.
What are Some Good Downtime Décor Options?
Once you have your screen time room furnished and properly organized, you may be tempted to think about transforming other areas of your home. Because with all your electronic distractions removed, you may suddenly feel reinvigorated toward another hobby, whether that’s just having a relaxing space to read or work on a creative passion. Those rooms need to feel functional, too.
So plan it out first. What’s the main purpose of the room? Once you’ve determined that, you can better visualize what furniture and décor might work for the space and what’s still needed. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new pieces, like mixing them in with things you already own and love. For example, a great accent chair or custom ordered sofa could be just the items you need to level up your distraction-free zone and take on that side business venture.
Finding New Ways to Focus
If all the research is to be believed, you’ll be amazed at what creating a screen time room can do for your time management and everyday output. The key is to create separate but equally inviting spaces for both consuming media and indulging in all things screen free.
