In a typical workplace, many things are set up to help you work efficiently. The desk, computer, and overall environment are designed to minimize distractions and keep you focused. However, working from home or running your own business can look slightly different. In this article, I share how to increase productivity using six home office secrets.
You might be in an environment that doesn’t fully support your productivity. But don't worry—there are simple ways to improve this and tap into the power of your surroundings to enhance your focus and flow.
An Intentional Workspace Increases Productivity
You choose how to set up your workspace. What is your intention for the space? Do you want it to support your goals and values? How do you want to feel in the space? What influences how effective you are in your workspace? Create clear intentions and create a space that makes it simple to achieve.
Use sensory cues
Sensory cues are subtle signals in your environment that engage your senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—and influence how you feel or behave. These cues can be intentionally used to boost focus, improve mood, or even trigger specific emotional states, making them incredibly effective for creating productive workspaces or calming environments.
Here's how each type of sensory cue works:
Sight: Your environment's colors, lighting, and organization affect how your brain processes the space. For example, soothing colors like blue enhance focus, while bright, warm tones like yellow stimulate creativity and positivity. Decluttered spaces signal clarity, while chaotic environments can feel overwhelming and deplete your energy level.
Sound: Background noise or specific sounds can distract or help you focus. White noise, nature sounds, or ambient music often help people concentrate, while complete silence or jarring noises can be counterproductive. Some use binaural beats, sound waves that influence brain activity, to enhance mental clarity and productivity.
Smell: Scents can powerfully impact mood and concentration. Aromatherapy using essential oils like peppermint, citrus, or rosemary can sharpen focus and increase alertness, while scents like lavender or sandalwood promote relaxation and calm. This is why many people use candles, diffusers, or wax warmers in their workspaces.
Touch: The textures and materials you interact with can affect how comfortable and focused you feel. Comfortable seating, a soft rug underfoot, or even the smoothness of your desk can influence how grounded and present you think. It’s about creating physical comfort that helps your body feel at ease.
Taste: Although not commonly thought of in workspace design, taste can still play a role. Having a refreshing cup of tea or coffee while working, or even a healthy snack, can provide a pleasant break and keep you energized throughout the day.
Adjusting these sensory elements in your environment allows you to create a space that supports your focus, creativity, and productivity and helps you relax and unwind when needed.
Clear away distractions and set intentional boundaries. Without these, you’ll likely lose focus, push back deadlines, and fall short of your goals.
Boost Productivity and Creativity with Dedicated Workspaces
Whether you're an entrepreneur or work from home regularly, having a dedicated workspace is vital. It doesn’t have to be an entire room—just a specific corner or space in your home will work.
Identify an area that can become your “work zone.” Maybe it’s a guest bedroom or a quiet nook in the living room.
An excellent hack is to create a visual and physical boundary that signals your brain that this is your office. You can do this with a room divider, a unique rug, or even distinct lighting in that area. This subtle environmental shift creates a mental anchor, helping your mind shift into work mode when you step into that space.
Make sure your workspace is free of noise or other household activities. Next, choose a desk that fits well in your space and invest in a good chair that supports your body for long hours. When traveling, I use noise-cancelling headphones to create a supportive environment.
A supportive chair isn't just a luxury—it's necessary to prevent back pain, which can negatively affect your work performance. A physical therapist recommended this seat cushion for extra comfort and back support – it keeps me comfortable and productive.
Think about what other items you may need, like shelves or filing cabinets for storage. Set up a “now” area where you keep the things you use regularly, such as your laptop or notebook, and a “later” area for items you only need occasionally. This small but powerful strategy creates a functional and efficient workspace.
A dedicated workspace helps create a boundary between work and relaxation, leading to better performance. Working from your bed, couch, or dining table dilutes your ability to relax or focus.
Your brain craves clear signals, so use your office to tell it, “It’s time to get things done.”
Eliminate Distractions
Working from home presents a unique challenge: distractions. Unlike a traditional office setting, where your coworkers keep you in check, home environments have plenty of temptations.
The TV, phone, or streaming services can distract you from your work. When my workspace is in the living room, I use noise-canceling headphones to block the noise of the TV. The solution? Eliminate those distractions before they have the chance to interfere.
One effective strategy is to anchor your environment to work-specific activities. For example, if you can, use a separate laptop for work that doesn’t have access to distracting apps or services. Or, install browser extensions that block access to social media or other time-wasting websites during work hours.
The idea is to condition your mind to associate your workspace with productivity, not leisure.
Your phone can also be a huge distraction. Many phones now have features that limit screen time, or you could use an old-fashioned trick like placing your phone in another room while working. If you need it nearby for emergencies, consider using a phone lock box with a timer that keeps it accessible only during breaks.
Sometimes, thoughts are distracting. Keep a journal nearby to jot down anything that pops into your mind during work hours. This simple practice can help you stay focused without losing essential ideas.
You can also use the Pomodoro Technique, working in focused 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks. This technique helps maintain high energy levels and prevents burnout, allowing for a more productive day overall.
Colors Influence Your Mood and Focus
Colors have a profound effect on our moods and energy levels. In your home office, pay attention to the colors you surround yourself with. A monochrome or neutral color scheme can feel dull and uninspiring, but too much color can overwhelm your senses.
A great way to approach this is by using color accents strategically. For example, blue enhances productivity and focus, while yellow brings an uplifting, optimistic energy. Try blending the two—perhaps with blue walls and yellow décor—to create a balanced atmosphere.
Consider subtle touches, too: a blue vase with a sunflower or a calming green plant can make all the difference in how you feel while working. When choosing colors, choose less saturated tones that are easy on the eyes, and avoid overly bright or glossy finishes that can cause visual fatigue.
When choosing neutral tones, you should be smart about your chosen colors. White paint, for example, comes in a wide variety of different tones. Not all white paint is just plain pure white, and an off-white can sometimes be the best for a given space.
You can try going to a hardware store to grab a swatch of different paint colors. These are often free or very inexpensive and give you many paint options. Pick a less saturated tone that won’t be so harsh on your eyes, and then take it to the hardware store to have them mix the paint you want.
If you enjoy seasonal shifts, you can even rotate your color palette. Warmer tones like reds and oranges can be great in the winter, while cooler blues and greens feel fresh in the spring and summer.
Keep Your Workspace Clean
A cluttered workspace leads to a cluttered mind. Keeping your home office clean and organized is essential for maintaining focus. Get into the habit of tidying up regularly, and don’t let papers, files, or miscellaneous items take over your desk. Use filing systems, shelves, and storage to keep everything in its place.
Make it a rule to keep only work-related items in your workspace. This will help you stay organized and clear-minded. A clutter-free space creates an inviting atmosphere where you can focus and thrive.
Creating a productive home office is ultimately about building an environment that serves you and your goals. Invest in quality furniture, engage your senses, manage distractions, and design a unique space. The more intentional you are with your workspace, the more focused and productive you’ll be.
By setting yourself up for success in this way, you can tap into a deeper level of productivity and truly enjoy your work.
Changing the environment around you can boost your productivity by including sensory cues, removing distractions, and more. If you try to get work done in an environment that isn’t best suited to your needs, you’ll get sidetracked more often than not, causing you to delay meeting your goals.
Create the right environment around you, quickly focus on work, and increase productivity.
Building the best home office can significantly increase your creativity and peace of mind. Spending significant time working in your office space is helpful if it is comfortable, tidy, and welcoming.
Conclusion: Designing Your Ideal Workspace
Creating a workspace that optimizes productivity isn’t just about having the right tools or technology; it’s about intentionally shaping an environment that supports your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. By using sensory cues, minimizing distractions, and organizing your space for focus, you signal your brain that it’s time to get down to business.
Now that you understand how your surroundings influence your work take the next step. Look around your current workspace and identify areas that could be improved. Ask yourself:
- Is my environment helping or hindering my focus?
- Can I introduce sensory cues like sound, scent, or color to boost my productivity and creativity?
- Are there distractions I can eliminate or boundaries I can set for better focus?
Start small. Pick one change, such as adding a noise machine, decluttering your desk, or adding a productive scent to your space. Implement it today and notice how it impacts your flow and concentration. Over time, keep refining your environment until it fully supports your best work.
By investing in your workspace and incorporating these simple strategies, you’re not just creating a more productive day—you’re setting yourself up for long-term success and well-being.
Take a look at these articles:
Discover Work-Life Harmony: The Pomodoro Technique to the Rescue
The Impact of Clutter on Your Vitality, Time and Money
Nancy Dadami is an Inner Peace Strategist, Medicine Painting Mentor, and Feng Shui Specialist. She helps empower leaders, visionaries, creatives, and entrepreneurs called to growth, learning, service, and freedom to thrive by living the best version of themselves, creating a life of abundance, self-awareness, purpose, and inner peace. Learn more here https://linktr.ee/nancydadami