5 tips to improve your work-from-home space and be more productive

Tens of millions of people in the U.S. work from home every day, but productivity can be a struggle when you’re surrounded by so many distractions.

Experts at Serpple, an SEO tool designed to provide in-depth insights, created a list of five productivity-boosting tips to help workers make the most of their work-from-home setups.

“Your workspace sets the tone for your entire workday. When you’re working from home, the line between personal and professional life can blur, and that’s where having a dedicated, thoughtfully designed space becomes a necessity,” Serpple said. “A cluttered or uncomfortable space can lead to procrastination or habits like excessive multitasking, which might feel productive in the moment but actually reduce efficiency over time.

Check out its five tips for optimizing your work from space.

Tip #1: Plants!

Studies show that having plants in your workspace can boost productivity.

“Plants improve air quality, reduce stress, and improve your mood — all perfect for increased productivity,” Serpple said. “If your space is limited, you could get a small desk plant or a hanging planter.”

Tip #2: Get a good chair

If you’re going to be sitting down all day and need to focus, a good chair is key.

“An ergonomic chair with adjustable height, lumbar support, and a padded seat can prevent back pain and improve your overall focus during long work hour,” Serpple said.

Another tip: make sure your desk is at the right height for your wrists and elbows.

Tip #3: Good lighting!

A dark room can lead to eye straining and decrease your focus. Serpple recommends a workspace with natural light. And if that’s not in the cards for you, try to get an adjustable desk lamp and some ambient lighting.

“Harsh lighting wears on your nerves very quickly, so use soft overhead lights to avoid a starkly lit environment,” Serpple said.

Tip #4: Declutter your space

“Being able to see clutter means you’re constantly distracted by it, and you’re always using part of your brain to think about it instead of focusing on work,” Serpple said.

Try to find storage solutions so you can have a clean workspace.

Tip #5: Splurge on good tech

If you want a productive workflow, you need good technology. Serpple suggests getting two monitors if you can afford them and have space as well as a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones.