The search for tips for working from home has become increasingly popular as more people embrace the benefits of remote work, a trend significantly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While remote work offers numerous advantages, it also comes with challenges like loneliness, managing distractions at home, maintaining boundaries between personal and professional life, staying unplugged after hours, and effective communication.

We’ve compiled 27 essential tips for working from home to navigate these challenges successfully.

Our tips are thoughtfully categorized to cover every facet of remote working:

creating a productive environment

establishing a routine

minimizing distractions

enhancing focus and motivation

building work-life balance

fostering community and support

These tips for working from home offer practical solutions to improve efficiency in your home office.

tips for working from home - great internet

1. Dress Up for Work

Dressing for success isn’t just a saying; it’s a strategy that can enhance your productivity and mental separation between “home” and “work” – critical when both are under the same roof.

Many might relish the idea of working in pajamas, but this comfort can blur the lines between relaxation and productivity. To boost your work-from-home efficiency, change into your designated work-from-home outfit. It doesn’t need to be as formal as in an office; a casual outfit can do the trick.

Research underscores the psychological impact of our attire. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology termed this the “enclothed cognition” effect, indicating that what we wear influences our psychological processes. By dressing more formally, you’re not just preparing your appearance for work; you’re priming your brain for it.

2. Simulate a Commute

Working from home often blurs the boundary between personal and professional life. To create a mental transition into work mode, simulate a commute.

Instead of a daily trek to the office, take a morning walk. It doesn’t have to be long – even a 10-minute walk around the block can be effective. For best results, walk at the same time each day to establish a consistent routine.

This approach is one of the top tips for working from home mentioned frequently on platforms like Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram.

3. Designate a Home Office

Establishing a designated workspace is crucial for productive remote work. Whether it’s a separate room or a specific corner in your living space, this dedicated area should be synonymous with your professional life.

4. Invest in Noise-Cancelling Headphones & Ergonomic Furniture

To set yourself up for success in a remote work environment, start by addressing your physical workspace. Non-ergonomic setups can lead to issues such as muscle tension, poor posture, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Investing in ergonomic furniture – like an ergonomic chair, mouse, or a standing desk – can significantly mitigate these risks. Complement this setup with noise-cancelling headphones to maintain focus. And if you’re feeling inspired, you can also improve your workstation with smart office devices.

5. Keep Your Workspace Clutter-Free

A cluttered space leads to a cluttered mind. Keeping your workspace organized and tidy is essential for maintaining focus and efficiency. Clutter can not only distract but also increase stress levels.

To anyone struggling to work from home with ADHD, maintaining a clutter-free workspace is not just about tidiness; it’s a vital strategy to reduce sensory overload and improve concentration.

6. Use Natural Lighting and Fresh Air

Leveraging natural light and fresh air can significantly elevate your work-from-home life. Exposure to natural light has tangible benefits for your mental and physical health. It boosts vitamin D, improves mood, and sleep quality.

Additionally, natural light and open views can help reduce eye strain and headaches. On days with less natural light, turn on ambient lights with warm colors. And remember to open windows at least once daily for 5 to 15 minutes.

7. Get Reliable & High-Speed Internet

A stable internet connection is the backbone of remote work. Fiber internet is often regarded as the best option. It offers superior speed and reliability compared to traditional broadband connections.

When choosing the best internet for working from home also look for no data caps and a symmetrical connection.

And if you’re on the hunt for the best router for working from home, don’t rush to the store – the best one is often just the one you already have, strategically placed in a central position in your home.

8. Establish a Morning Routine

A morning routine sets the tone for a productive day. While changing into work attire and simulating a commute are vital components, there’s more to a morning routine that can enhance your work-from-home experience.

It’s about creating a series of actions that signal to your brain that it’s time to switch gears from personal to professional mode.

Popular morning routine practices include:

Mindful meditation or yoga: Even a few minutes can help clear your mind and reduce stress.
Healthy breakfast: Fuel your body with a nutritious, protein-rich meal.
Review your to-do list: Prioritize tasks and set clear objectives for the day.

9. End Your Day with a Routine

Just as you start your day with a plan, ending it with a ritual can be equally powerful. For example, you can reflect on the day’s accomplishments.

But let’s be honest, not everyone is into the idea of conducting reviews – and that’s perfectly okay. If you prefer a more straightforward way to wind down, consider cleaning your workstation part of your end-of-day routine.

This physical tidying up can also be a mental cue, helping you to close any ‘open tabs’ in your mind and casually reflect on the day’s tasks and what’s on the agenda for tomorrow.

10. Schedule Regular Breaks

When working from home, the absence of traditional office structures can lead to non-stop work hours, which is counterproductive. Avoid the temptation to work through your breaks. They are crucial for long-term productivity.

Implementing structured breaks, like those in the Pomodoro technique, can be highly beneficial. This method involves working for a set period (traditionally 25 minutes), followed by a short break, helping maintain focus and prevent burnout.

11. Stick to Regular Working Hours

While working from home offers flexibility, it can also blur the boundaries between personal and professional life. This blurring can lead to longer working hours and a disrupted work-life balance.

To maintain consistent working hours:

Set clear start and end times for your workday and adhere to them as closely as possible.
Let your colleagues and household members know your working hours to minimize interruptions.
Once your workday ends, physically and mentally disconnect from work.

Sticking to regular working hours is about discipline and respect for your personal time. It’s essential for staying productive while enjoying remote work’s benefits.

tips for working from home

12. Leave Your Phone in Another Room

Since smartphones are nearly an extension of ourselves, the constant buzz of notifications can be a major distraction, especially when working from home.

By leaving your phone in another room, you actively reduce the temptation to check social media or respond to non-urgent messages during work hours.

13. Block Distracting Websites During Work Hours

While working in an office setting, the presence of colleagues often serves as a natural deterrent from visiting distracting websites. At home, this external discipline needs to be internalized.

The most distracting websites for remote workers include:

Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
Content-rich sites like Reddit and YouTube
News portals (NBC, BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Guardian)
Online shopping (Amazon and eBay)
Sports websites (ESPN, Sky Sports, CBS Sports)

Proactively blocking these sites during work hours can significantly boost your focus and productivity. You can use tools like Cold Turkey, Freedom, and StayFocusd.

14. Set Rules with Roommates or Family Members

One of the challenges of working from home is managing interruptions from those you share your space with.

Clearly explain your work hours and tell them not to interrupt you while you work. You can also use a sign on your door or a specific indicator to show when you cannot be interrupted.

Setting these boundaries is essential for a successful work-from-home experience – especially if you work from home with kids.

15. Mute Notifications to Minimize Distractions

When discussing tips for working from home, we must address the pitfalls of multitasking and context switching. Research shows that task switching can lead to increased stress, decreased efficiency, and reduced overall task performance.

So, use Focus or Do Not Disturb Mode on your smartphone! By muting notifications, you reduce the temptation to switch tasks frequently. Don’t see it as a punishment – but as a blessing.

16. Use Productivity Apps and Tools

Staying organized while working from home is easier with productivity apps and tools.

Make the most of these tools:

Trello for tracking project progress and deadlines
Notion for note-taking, reminders, and managing databases
ClickUp for all-in-one productivity (project management, document collaboration, time tracking)
Todoist for organizing and prioritizing your daily tasks
Raindrop.io for bookmarks
TickTick for task management with habit tracking and a Pomodoro timer

17. Put on Some Background Music

When exploring tips for working from home, don’t underestimate the power of music in enhancing focus and productivity. Many find that background music, especially genres like lo-fi or ambient soundscapes, can set the mood, reduce stress, and boost productivity.

Not sure where to start? Here are some excellent resources:

Flowful offers infinite-length ambient music soundscapes designed to help you achieve a Flow State on demand.
Focus@Will provides a variety of music channels scientifically optimized to improve concentration.

18. Use the Forest App to Gamify Your Focus

If you struggle with discipline when working from home, gamifying your focus can be a game-changer. The Forest App is a perfect example of this approach.

It encourages you to stay committed to tasks by planting a virtual tree, which grows as you maintain focus. If you give in to distractions and leave the app, the tree withers. This gamified element adds a layer of motivation and accountability to your work sessions.

19. Pursue Training and Learning Opportunities

One of the benefits of working from home is the flexibility to integrate skill development into your daily routine. Actively pursuing training and learning opportunities keeps you engaged and motivated if you feel like you lack purpose at your remote job.

If your company actively supports skill development, great. However, if you need to take the initiative yourself, plenty of resources are available. E-learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and Skillshare offer training in almost any skill you can think of – professional or personal.

20. Create Daily To-Do Lists

The simple act of creating a daily to-do list can transform your remote work life. First, identify high-priority tasks and tackle them first. This way, the most important work gets your best energy.

When writing a to-do list, be as specific as possible. For example, instead of writing ‘prepare a newsletter’, detail the individual tasks such as ‘design graphics’, ‘segment email list’, and ‘write email copy.’

21. Prepare Meals in Advance

One of the perks of working from home is having the flexibility to choose when and what you eat as the day goes by. However, this can disrupt your workflow. Meal prepping comes to the rescue here.

Planning your meals for the week and setting aside a few hours on a designated day to cook saves considerable time during your workweek. And as a cherry on top, you avoid unhealthy snacking or impromptu fast-food orders!

22. Change Your Work Location

Sticking to one spot can sometimes lead to a creative rut. Changing your work location can stimulate your mind and boost creativity.

Sometimes, leave your home office and visit a local cafe, a library, or a co-working space. Co-working spaces can be especially effective for ADHD workers as the concept of body doubling – working alongside someone else – naturally thrives in these shared work environments.

tips for working from home - video calls

23. Get Outside or Exercise During Breaks

Taking breaks is not just about stepping away from your work; it’s about what you do in those breaks.

Physical activity, such as a short walk, yoga, or a quick stretching session, can significantly reduce the mental fatigue that comes with prolonged sitting and screen time.

24. Use a VPN for Secure Connectivity

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) protects your online work and privacy. It encrypts your internet connection, shielding your data from potential breaches and ensuring that work information remains confidential.

If you work for an international company, a VPN can allow access to geo-restricted resources, broadening your access to information and tools.

25. Participate in Virtual Co-Working Sessions

One of the challenges of working from home is the potential for feeling isolated. Virtual co-working sessions can significantly mitigate this.

Platforms like Focusmate offer a unique way to connect with colleagues or other professionals, allowing you to work alongside someone virtually.

26. Ask Other Remote Workers About Tips for Working from Home

Finding and connecting with people in your area who also work remotely can open up new avenues for collaboration and shared learning. By teaming up with local remote workers, you gain a sense of belonging and learn even more tips for working from home.

Here are some ways to connect with local remote workers:

Look for online forums or social media groups where remote workers in your area gather.
Organize or attend local meetups. These can be informal coffee shop gatherings or co-working sessions.
Even if you don’t work for the same company, find common projects or challenges you can tackle together, fostering a sense of teamwork and shared purpose.

Connecting with local remote workers adds a valuable social element to your remote work life, making it more engaging and enjoyable.

27. Build Relationships with Colleagues

In a remote work setting, the physical distance from colleagues can sometimes lead to a sense of disconnection. So, when you develop friendships with colleagues, it naturally enhances your investment in their success – and, by extension, the success of the entire team. This sense of camaraderie can significantly boost your motivation.

In a traditional office, this is what watercooler talk is for. But in a remote environment, creating these informal interactions requires a different approach.

For example, start informal chat threads or virtual coffee breaks where team members can discuss non-work-related topics. Start with ice breaker questions like ‘What’s your favorite way to unwind after work?’ or ‘What’s your favorite movie?’ These casual conversations can build rapport, creating a more cohesive and supportive remote work atmosphere.

Conclusive Thoughts on Tips for Working from Home

Take these 27 tips for working from home and see how you can improve your remote life. Go ahead and get that ergonomic chair, set working hours, and find a dedicated space for your home office.

We promise these tips will help make a big impact on your work-life balance and ability to work productively from home.