Working from home has its perks. We can attend meetings in pyjama pants, throw in a load of laundry after a call, avoid that coworker who taps incessantly on their desk, or schedule appointments without taking the day off.
But despite all these advantages, shifting into a work mindset at home can be surprisingly tricky. Maybe we sit down at our desks only to get distracted by social media, a YouTube video, or that Netflix show running in the background. Or perhaps your workspace is dangerously close to your cozy bed and that warm blanket you definitely shouldn't crawl under.
What if we told you there's a solution to this problem? (No, the answer isn't crawling under that blanket.) Here are six practical tips to create a home office that inspires us to actually work—while keeping comfort intact.
It's tempting to set up your laptop on the kitchen table, wandering off every five minutes for snacks, or start working on the couch only to get distracted by the morning news. These little interruptions add up, making it hard to enter that golden zone of deep work, where tasks flow effortlessly without distractions.
The solution? Designate a work area. It could be a separate room, a corner of your lounge, or even your dining table—but it needs to feel like a work zone in your head. This separation signals your brain to focus on work instead of household chores or Netflix.
Consider your preferences: maybe working from bed feels productive to some, but it can also be a one-way ticket to distraction. Others may thrive in quiet corners, while some need a bit of background noise—like a window overlooking a busy street—to feel energized.
Not sure what works for you? Experiment with different spaces, and choose the one where you actually get things done.
A well-designed office can increase productivity by up to 20%, according to a Gensler study. Here's how to optimize your space:
Working from home can blur the line between work and personal life faster than we realize. At first, it feels liberating—no commute, flexible hours, coffee breaks whenever we want. But without a clear plan, days can slip away, leaving us exhausted and behind on tasks.
The solution? Plan the day ahead. Sticky notes, planners, or digital tools like Time Stream can become lifesavers.
Another key aspect is knowing our peak productive hours. Some of us are early birds, ready to tackle the toughest tasks before the world wakes up. Others hit their stride late at night. Whatever the case, we should protect these hours: avoid scheduling meetings, phone calls, or emails during this time, and instead, dedicate it to deep work.
It's also important to schedule wind-down time. Without a clear log-off, work can bleed into evenings, leaving us tired and burned out. Even simple routines—like shutting the laptop at a set time, taking an evening walk, or dedicating an hour to a hobby—help reset our brains for the next day. Productivity isn't just about work; it's about creating sustainable energy and focus.
When we are in an office, breaks often happened naturally. A coworker might invite us to lunch, or we'd stretch our legs on a coffee run. At home, those cues are gone. Without deliberate breaks, we can work hours straight and end the day feeling drained.
Research shows that long stretches of uninterrupted work can lead to “goal habituation,” where our brains stop noticing progress, decreasing both focus and productivity. The remedy? Schedule breaks deliberately.
Tools like Time Stream make this easy by tracking work sessions and reminding us to step away. Breaks don't have to be complicated—just a few minutes to stand, stretch, hydrate, or even meditate. Short walks outside can be surprisingly refreshing, giving the brain a chance to reset and return to work with renewed energy.
We can also use breaks to recharge creatively. Listening to music, journaling, or watching something light for a few minutes can give our minds the space they need to approach tasks with fresh ideas. Treat breaks as essential parts of the workflow, not optional interruptions. They are where productivity is maintained and focus is renewed.
Distractions are everywhere at home: phones buzzing, snacks calling our name, or family members walking in at the worst possible moments. Even the presence of a phone—silent or not—has been shown to reduce focus, according to the APA.
Setting boundaries is crucial. Let housemates or family members know our working hours and create a “do not disturb” policy during those times. Physical cues, like a closed door or a small sign, can signal that we're in focus mode.
We also need to manage digital distractions. Notifications, open browser tabs, and social media feeds are constant temptations. Turning off alerts, using app blockers, or simply keeping the phone in another room can help us reclaim focus.
Finally, we need to curate our workspace intentionally. Books on the desk or a TV in the room can lure us away from work. Keep only what's necessary—laptop, planner, stationery, water—and anything else can wait until break time. The fewer distractions, the easier it is for us to slip into flow and maintain productive momentum.
Even in a home office, variety matters. Sticking to the same environment, same desk, and same chair day after day can lead to monotony, making work feel like a drag.
Small changes can make a huge difference. We can rotate pictures or posters, move the desk to a new wall, or change the lighting. Even switching where we sit or the type of chair we use can make the day feel fresher. Working outside the home occasionally—at a café, library, or co-working space—can also boost creativity and break the routine.
Routine changes aren't just about physical adjustments; we can also vary how we work. Try new productivity techniques or experiment with different break schedules. These tweaks prevent our brains from falling into autopilot and keep motivation high.
The key is to create small, intentional variations that make work feel engaging without disrupting the flow of productivity. We want to avoid simply trading one routine for another—it's about keeping our energy, focus, and creativity alive throughout the day.
Working from home offers freedom, comfort, and flexibility—but it also comes with unique challenges. By creating a dedicated workspace, organizing our environment, setting clear schedules, taking regular breaks, removing distractions, and shaking up our routines, we can transform our home into a productivity-friendly office.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. The key is to experiment, find what works best for us, and establish systems that support focus and creativity. Small changes can make a big difference in how we feel about our workday—and ultimately, how much we accomplish.
A productive home office isn't just about getting things done—it's about creating a space that energizes, motivates, and inspires us to do our best work, every day.
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