How to set up a productive home study

Whether you've recently switched to working from home or you've been working from home for a while, setting up a designated workspace is hugely beneficial.

At home there are plenty of distractions that you don't get in the study, especially if you have family making noise or a Netflix subscription that’s calling out your name.

Setting up a practical home study could be the key to increasing your focus and ensuring that every working day is a productive one.

Choose a suitable space

Ideally, you'll have a dedicated space that can be used for work. A spare room that can be transformed into an study, a corner of your bedroom, or even the space under the stairs.

Whatever options you have available, try and choose somewhere quiet, private and comfortable. Pick somewhere with good internet connection, a suitable background for video chat meetings, and no chance of family members or housemates popping in and out to distract you.

Set up your workstation

You're unlikely to feel very productive if you work whilst lounging around on your bed or sofa, but it can also cause health problems too.

Slouching or slumping can cause discomfort in the neck, back, shoulders and wrists. If you're doing this for an extended period, then you could develop long-term problems.

Set up a proper workstation starting with a desk and comfortable chair. Position your monitor at eye-level – if your desk is too low, you can buy laptop stands or just use a good old-fashioned stack of books to sit it on.

If you are working from a laptop, you might find it useful to invest in a separate keyboard and mouse so you can get your wrists in a comfortable position.

Make sure you've got adequate lighting too – you don't want to get eye strain or headaches from trying to work in poor light.

Everything you need for a day at work should be within reach at your desk - laptop, notepad, pens, work phone, etc. This means when the workday begins, you'll feel organised and ready to get going.

Get dressed

If you potter around in your PJs all day, you're much more likely to feel tired, lazy and ready to crawl back into your bed. Get up at your usual time and get ready for work as though you're really going in.

You don't necessarily have to put a suit and tie on every day, but getting dressed can help you get into the right headspace and feel more productive.

Plus, it means any spontaneous Zoom meetings won't catch you off guard in your dressing gown and slippers!

Build routines

When we have to be at work at a set time, we know what time we have to get up, and what time to leave the house. Working from home, especially if you don't have set hours, can mean routines go out the window.

But having a set routine and building good habits can make you more productive. Try and get up at the same time each day, have a good breakfast, or at least plenty of water, get ready and then log on at a set time.

Some people find it helpful to go for a walk before starting. Even just a quick walk around the block can make it feel like you are leaving the house and then arriving at work. You can do this at the start and the end of the day as your ‘work commute'.

Give yourself regular breaks

Although you aren't in the study, it's important you still give yourself regular breaks and stay hydrated.

Give your eyes a rest from the screen and stretch your legs every hour or so. Going for a little walk up and down the stairs or doing a few star jumps can get your blood flowing and wake you up. Even doing a quick household chore, such as emptying the dishwasher can give you the break you need.

And make sure you drink plenty of water and don't skip lunch – it's easy to forget to eat when you're busy, but you need to keep your energy up. That doesn't mean snacking on biscuits all day though!

Get your own garden study

Working from home can make it difficult to switch off at the end of the day, especially if you don't have a completely separate space. If you are going to be working from home long-term, then you might want a more permanent solution than the dining room table.

Our garden studys are perfect for separating work from home. The feeling of going into the study puts you in the right mindset to be productive. Leaving the study at the end of the day allows you to switch off from work and enjoy your leisure time.

We build garden rooms of all shapes and sizes. And we can include a range of features that make your home study as productive as possible, including whiteboard walls, storage space, hardwired Wi-Fi, temperature control and more.

Get your perfect study designed and built the way you want it.

Tiger Modular are UK leading designers, manufacturers and installers of garden studios. If you'd like to book a no-obligation design consultation, contact our friendly team.