Working from Home: How to Create a Productive Home Office

Prior to 2020, I was excited by the idea of working from home. It was nice to occasionally skip going into the office and answer emails from the couch. When we were sent home during the pandemic and weeks turned into months, I knew I needed to create a productive workspace when working from home. My company decided not to reopen our physical offices and my makeshift office in our bedroom was not going to cut it for the long term. It felt like I never left work since I was constantly looking at my computer sitting on the desk. Also, my family was sick and tired of seeing my stuff everywhere. We didn’t have a dedicated office space in our house, so we decided to create a home office in our basement that was functional and let me “turn it off” at the end of the day.

We learned a lot through the process and made adjustments along the way. Many have asked for suggestions, so today I’m sharing how we created a productive workspace in our home.

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Create a Designated Workspace

Find an area in your home that is away from distractions. Ideally one where you can close a door or a cabinet to “shut it down” at the end of a workday. While working from the dining room table or couch may be convenient, it can create the feeling that you are never able to leave work since work is a part of your personal space. Almost any space can transition to a home office with the right tools. Some suggested areas are:

• Spare Room or Guest Bedroom: This can be an ideal choice if you have the space available. It creates a sense of privacy and allows you to close the door and leave when you need to get away from “the office.”
• Corner of a Living Room or Dining Area: If a dedicated room isn’t possible, find a quite corner in a room of your house. Use dividers or furniture to create visual separate to create a designated workspace.
• Underutilized Closet or Nook: Creating an office space in an underutilized space can be a creative and inexpensive solution, especially if you are tight on space. Add some shelves, a small table or desk, and some lighting to make it a more functional workspace.

Remember, the most important part is to create a space that works for you and inspires you.

Select Comfortable Home Office Furniture

Creating a comfortable space to work creates a sense of calm and also helps you stay productive. Look for a desk or table that fits your needs and has a place for all of your essentials. Invest in a comfortable chair and consider having a space with the option to sit or stand depending on how you are feeling. One thing I noticed when I started working from home is that I sat A LOT more than I used to. With no coworkers to chat with or other offices to pop into, it was easy to get sucked into my work and not move for hours. Here are some of our favorite desk and chair options for creating a home office.

Desk Options for Home Office

• An adjustable height standing desk gives the option to sit or stand while working. It’s great for long days where you are stuck at your desk.
• A corner desk with storage that is perfect for those who need a little extra space.
• This smaller desk is great for small spaces and has additional storage to keep all of your supplies out of sight.
• This small corner desk is perfect to create a space in the corner of a small room. It has convenient built in plugs to save you from having multiple cords in sight.

Seating Options for Home Office

• This chair is comfortable and comes in fun colors to help brighten up your space.
• This option with a slim design that takes up less space while still providing needed support.
• A traditional chair with added padding for extra comfort.
• This compact option comes in multiple colors and is great to add extra seating to existing rooms like a dining space or family room.

Organize and Declutter

Find ways to keep your workspace organized and free of clutter. Schedule regular times through the week to ensure that everything is put back in it’s place. There are many times when I want to run out and shut the door to my space, but I always feel better in the morning when I sit down at an organized desk.

Desk Organizers

• This desk organizer doubles as a whiteboard and has a place for everything.
• This one has a several compartments and includes two drawers for additional storage.
• A great option to fit under your desk for additional storage.
• A simple but functional option for larger storage.

Personalize Your Space

Add things that make you happy or motivate you. Inspiring quotes, plants, or kids artwork to create a positive atmosphere. My favorite thing to post in my home office are sticky notes with messages from my kids that serve as little reminders of them while they are at school.

Click the links below to check out our favorite home office products for personalizing your space.

• These frames are great to hold (and easily change out) kids’ artwork. It has a bonus storage area to save their masterpieces in one place.
• These lights are great for adding plants to a space with low to no natural light. They come with timers to ensure that your plant gets exactly what it needs.
• Felt letter boards are a great way to display favorite quotes on your wall.

Establish a Routine

Set a consistent work schedule, including breaks to help you say focused while maintaining a work-life balance. I have found that creating a little time just for me in the mornings before I set down to work helps me get ready for the day (check out this post for more morning routine ideas). Blocking off an hour in the afternoon to take a quick walk outside, throw in a load of laundry, or cross something off of my personal to do list also helps break up the time and helps me feel more productive. I like to be present with my family in the evening hours, so some days I will shut down a little early to get the kids from school and commit to doing an hour of work after they go to bed. That flexibility allows me to make time for the most important things.

• 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Morning Routine with Kids and School Drop-off
• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Morning Routine for Me (Exercise, Breakfast, Prepare for the Day)
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Work Block 1
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break (Walk, Household Chores, Personal Tasks)
• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Work Block 2
• 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Family/Personal Time
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Dinner
• 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Relaxation/Leisure (Read, Walk, or Engage in a Hobby)
• 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Digital Detox (No Screens – Focus on Non-Digital Activities)
• 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Catch Up Time (Work if needed, check emails, etc.)
• 10:00 PM : Wind Down for Bed

Creating a productive home office workspace and work from home routine has helped me maintain my work-life balance and find a little joy in “going to work,” even if it just means walking downstairs to my little office space. I’d love to hear your tips and ideas in the comments!