TL;DR
In this post, I'm sharing 35 work from home tips that helped me feel more organized, focused, and sane. These aren’t expert-approved theories, just things I’ve tried (and often failed at) while figuring out my own rhythm as someone who splits time between home and office. I’ll also break down the pros and cons, and answer a few questions I hear a lot. You'll also find practical work from home advice and realistic productivity tips for working from home that go beyond generic advice.
I work a hybrid schedule – some days in the office, some at home. In my last job, I was locked to a desk with three monitors. Now it’s just me and my laptop, which means I get to move around more, but also have to be intentional about staying focused. Right now, my “office” is my dining table. It’s not ideal, but it works, and I’ve learned how to make it better.
Below are real tips that helped me manage time, distractions, and the mental side of remote work. This is the best work from home tips list I’ve been building over time based on trial, error, and everything in between.
The Good and the Not-So-Good of Working From Home
Let’s be honest: remote work isn’t perfect. But when you know the pros and cons, it’s easier to build habits that support you instead of working against your flow.
| Benefits | Cons |
|---|---|
| More flexibility | Harder to disconnect from work |
| No commute | Can feel isolating |
| Cats on your lap 🙂 | Easy to stay glued to your laptop all day |
| Personalized workspace | More household distractions |
| Save time and money | Tempting to multitask everything |
Knowing what you’re working with helps you make adjustments. These tips helped me work from home more smoothly and with way less stress. They’re also the kind of remote job tips that can make your day feel more human.
Home Office Tips to Set Up a Spot That Supports Focus
A dedicated workspace is the foundation of effective remote work. Working from your couch or bed can blur the lines between work and relaxation, but if you know how to separate the two, well done!
1. Claim a work spot – even if it’s your dining table
I don’t have a dedicated home office, so I’ve learned to work from whatever space feels best that day. Most of the time it’s the dining table. What helps is having a “default” spot I can return to, so my brain knows: this is where focus happens.
2. Don’t over decorate, just keep it clean
Too much visual clutter pulls focus. I keep it simple: laptop, water, maybe a candle or one plant. That’s it. I also keep a small box nearby with sticky notes, pens, and chargers so I’m not getting up every five minutes.
3. Make comfort non-negotiable
If my chair sucks, I can’t think. A cushion, soft lighting, and cozy socks go a long way. I also try to sit near natural light or keep a warm lamp nearby when it’s cloudy.
4. Headphones = instant focus
Background noise is a killer for me, so I use headphones with lo-fi music or bird sounds. Sometimes I even play fake coffee shop noise.
5. Snacks and water within reach
If I don’t prep snacks, I’ll end up hangry. I keep almonds, fruit, or yogurt close. A big water bottle lives on my desk so I don’t forget to hydrate.
6. Use a tray or basket if you need to move around
Since I don’t have a permanent desk setup, I sometimes work from the couch or balcony. I use a tray to carry everything I need so it’s easy to switch spots without creating chaos.
Tips for Working From Home Effectively
A good routine is the backbone of staying productive at home. But it has to be flexible and realistic.
7. Start the day with a reset moment
I start every workday with breakfast, coffee, and 20 minutes of reading. That’s my signal to my brain: time to shift into work mode.
8. Use soft structure, not strict schedules
Rigid hour-by-hour planning doesn’t work for me. I use time blocks with room for flexibility. I know my key tasks, and I aim to do focused work in the mornings, lighter tasks after lunch.
9. Breaks are part of the workflow
Sometimes I forget to stop working, even during breaks. Now I step out on my balcony, listen to birds, and breathe. Even five minutes helps reset my brain.
10. Afternoon slumps are real – prep for them
Around 2–3pm I lose momentum. I’ve learned to plan lighter tasks for that time or go for a short walk, if possible.
11. Don’t cram your planner, give yourself space
I use a mix of paper planners, phone notes, and daily templates. It’s messy sometimes, but it works. The key is not overfilling the day so I don’t feel like I’m always behind.
12. Plan themed days (loosely)
Some days are better for admin, others for writing or meetings. I try not to mix everything into one day, it just makes it easier to focus. Of course, this depends on the type of work you’re doing, so you need to make it work for you.
Tame the Distractions
Distractions can be a big issue when you’re working from home. Here are some work from home hacks I picked up over time:
13. Phone goes away or into focus mode
It’s wild how much better I work when my phone’s not in reach. I use Do Not Disturb or airplane mode when I need real focus.
14. Try short focus sprints
Pomodoro works for me in waves. I’ll do 25 minutes on, 5 off for a few rounds, especially when I’m feeling scattered.
When I’m struggling to get going, I pair focus sprints with some of the tips to stop procrastinating that helped me push past the initial resistance.
15. Pick just 3 main tasks for the day
I used to list 10 things and do none. Now I pick 3 priorities, break them into steps, and actually finish them. Sticky notes help.
16. Work next to someone – even virtually
Body doubling sounds weird but works. I’ll co-work over video or even just have someone else nearby. It keeps me on track.
17. Notice your natural focus windows
I’m sharper in the mornings, so I save harder tasks for then. Afternoons are for light editing, emails, and snacks.
Learning when I do my best work has been one of the easiest ways to improve work performance. Here are a few more ways to improve work performance if that’s something you’re working on too.
18. Use tools that help, not distract
Browser extensions like StayFocusd or even a good timer app can help keep you from getting sucked into scrolling spirals. Great for remote work productivity tips.
Work From Home Advice – Protect Your Mental Space
Mental health is just as important as productivity when working from home. Here are some ideas how to keep work from taking over your life.
19. Use subtle signals to say “I’m working”
I don’t always close the door, but I wear headphones or sit in “the work chair.” It tells anyone around (and myself): I’m on the clock.
20. Don’t check emails after your end time
I’m still working on this. Shutting the laptop is step one, but the real move is resisting the urge to “just check something.”
21. Make your own fake commute
A short walk, putting on a certain playlist, or even tidying up signals that work is done and life is starting again.
22. Do something just for you every day
Writing this blog is one of those things. Other days it’s baking or just sitting on the couch watching a show. Something that’s not about being productive.
23. Let evenings be off-limits for work
This is a boundary I’m still building. I’m learning to treat my evenings as sacred: light cooking, a book, a hot shower. That’s it.
24. Keep chores out of work time
Doing dishes in between tasks makes the day feel endless. I stick to work during work hours and chores either before or after.
25. Weekend review = reset
Every weekend, I check in on what worked, what didn’t, and plan a rough sketch for the week. It helps me feel a little more in control. Solid for tips for remote working.
Extra WFH Tips That Helped
These extra tips are simple but effective when it comes to staying on track.
26. Keep a “brain dump” note open at all times
Whenever something pops into my head, I dump it into a note so I don’t get derailed. It frees up mental space.
27. Say no to multitasking
Answering emails while on calls? Sounds efficient, but it just scatters your focus. One thing at a time works better.
28. Use alarms to end your day
A morning alarm to start, and one in the evening to wrap up. It’s weirdly effective for creating consistency.
29. Have backup tasks for low-energy days
When I feel like doing nothing, I have a list of “low lift” tasks: cleaning up folders, updating trackers, quick admin stuff.
30. Make playlists for different types of work
I’ve got a “deep focus” playlist, a “chill admin” one, and even a “fake commute” one. Music cues help shift my mindset.
31. Set micro-goals for longer tasks
Big projects feel overwhelming, so I chop them up. “Write an intro paragraph” is way easier than “write a blog post.”
Big goals only work when they’re clear. I’ve found it helps to write them out in tiny, doable pieces. This guide on how to write work goals breaks it down even more if you need help getting started.
32. Don’t aim for perfection – just finish things
Perfectionism was slowing me down. Now I get things 80% there and move on. You can always tweak later.
33. Be kind to your future self
Set up things at night (clothes, to-do list, workspace) to make mornings smoother.
34. Have a wind-down template
Even if it’s simple: list what you finished, what’s next, and one thing that went well. It ends the day on a calm note.
35. Let your routine evolve
Seasons change, moods shift. What works today might not work next month. Stay flexible and update your habits as you grow. These are the kind of wfh tips I return to again and again.
FAQ – Common WFH Questions
Before I wrap up, here are a few quick answers to common questions I’ve gotten or wondered myself while trying to work from home successfully.
Not unless it helps you. I tried the whole hour-by-hour thing and it felt like I was suffocating. Light structure works better for me.
I chat with friends during the day, drop messages to coworkers, and sometimes co-work virtually. You don’t need constant contact, just touch points.
Happens all the time. I pick the easiest possible next step – open the doc, write one sentence, clean one part of my desk. Movement helps.
Final Thoughts
These 35 work from home tips are based on real habits I’ve built, broken, and rebuilt over time. None of them are magic, but they stack up. If one of them helps you focus better, breathe easier, or end your day feeling a little more in control – that’s a win.
This blog is where I share the things I’ve learned through trial, error, and the occasional meltdown. If you’re into templates, lists, or daily planning, you’ll find more here.
