4 Home Office Solutions: Detached Spaces for Productivity
More and more people are working from home. Perhaps the pandemic showed us how easy it was? Or how much we enjoyed it? maybe it showed the big bosses that all the money spent on commercial office spaces was a waste? Whatever the reason, around 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely in 2025; that’s about 22% of the workforce.
So, the lines between home and work continue to blur, and you need to create a dedicated space that fosters productivity. After all, simply plopping down at a kitchen table or squeezing in a few hours on the couch is not conducive to tackling deep, focused work.
Plan How To Make Your Home an Office
Start by taking a moment to jot down each type of task you’ll be doing and what that needs. Are you someone who thrives in silence, or does a bit of background noise help while tackling shallow tasks? The key is to be specific about your must-haves, like double monitors for multitasking or a silent space for meetings.
Once you have your environment essentials mapped out, you can pinpoint the best areas in your home for each type of work. Your goal should be to create distinct productivity zones where each space caters to a specific task.
By training your brain to associate a particular area with a type of work—whether your desk for focused tasks, a bright window seat for strategy sessions, or even a café for casual brainstorming—you’ll be as productive as possible when not in the main office.
Move Your Home Office out Of the Home
It’s handy to carve out a dedicated workspace that isn’t just a makeshift desk in the living room or a corner of the kitchen. We recommend setting up your home office in the backyard. Crazy? Not at all.
Wake up, get dressed, and head out the door to fight traffic. Sound like a bad start to the workday? It is. Instead, turn your commute into a short stroll a few steps down a stone path to your very own backyard office.
We recommend this because it helps create a clear boundary between your work and personal life. When you’re outside the main house, in sheds or lofted barns, you’re less likely to be interrupted by family members or the lure of the couch.
Having a dedicated space away from home life can help your productivity. Working in a backyard office allows you to control your environment—open the windows for some fresh air, soak up the sunshine, or enjoy the sounds of nature while you focus on your work.
Enjoy a more relaxed state of mind to offset those demanding deep work sessions. The act of physically leaving the house for work alone can provide a psychological benefit that many remote workers miss. It sets the tone for the day and helps shift your mindset into “work mode.”
Minimalism and Motivation
Working from home can come with plenty of distractions, and a minimalist approach to your home office setup can help cut through the noise. The goal is a clean, calming space that allows you to focus on the task at hand.
This goes beyond aesthetics to function. A clutter-free environment reduces mental stress, which in turn helps you stay in “work mode” longer. When your office feels distinctly different from the rest of your home, it mentally reinforces that this space is for work and work alone.
Opt for a sleek desk, a comfortable chair, a few select pieces of décor, and be sure to avoid a busy or overly styled space.
Minimalism doesn’t mean your office has to feel sterile or uninspiring. The last thing you want is for your surroundings to stifle your creativity. Add a few motivating personal touches like a framed photo or a plant that needs watering for encouragement and a focus break in the middle of a long day.
Color’s Role in Workplace Productivity
White is often considered a neutral color, but it is actually the least conducive for focused work. It creates a clinical and restrictive atmosphere when compared with shades of blue and green that are calming and inspire creativity. Incorporate these colours in your work area to help soothe your mind and foster an environment where ideas can flow and productivity can thrive.
Working from Home Made Easier
The best way to enjoy working from home is with a home that you enjoy. The A House in the Hills community is a more relaxed and peaceful way of life and a friendly and supportive community with everything you need to live a happy and fulfilling life. You’ll never want to head into the office again!
