Home Office Setup Tips to Survive (and Thrive) While Working Remotely
It’s in our conversations, resolutions, and deep-down hopes—that turning the page into a new year would bring change. Yet, for many, working from home remains the norm. If you’re still staring at the same four walls, it’s time to refresh your space, mindset, and habits. These home office setup tips will help you stay productive, focused, and well.
🔗 Need help assessing your workspace? Contact Capella for expert home office guidance
1. Get Dressed and Stick to a Home Office Routine
It sounds simple, but setting a routine—starting with changing out of your pajamas—can do wonders. Those small acts like commuting, grabbing coffee, or getting dressed all helped signal your brain that it was time to work. Recreate that routine at home:
✔ Get dressed in real clothes
✔ Schedule regular breaks and a clear start/finish to your day
✔ Use alarms or reminders to stay on track
2. Create a Functional and Ergonomic Home Office Space
Even if your home is tight on space, you need a clear area to work productively and safely.
📌 Here are 3 essential home office setup tips from Capella’s experts:
- Find a desk-sized space (not your bed or couch!)
- Use an ergonomic, adjustable chair
- Get a laptop stand and external keyboard/mouse to avoid neck/back strain
3. Set Healthy Boundaries in Your Remote Work Environment
Remote work blurs the lines—commutes, coffee breaks, and offline time disappear. You may be starting earlier or never fully logging off.
⏰ Block time for focus work
📵 Step away from email during breaks
🗣 Communicate availability to your team
Boundaries protect your mental clarity and energy—and keep work from consuming your life.
4. Check In With Yourself and Your Workspace
Mental health isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential to long-term success. Even if you don’t feel “bad,” your stress may be quietly building.
🧠 Ask yourself:
- What’s my dominant emotion today?
- Am I more anxious or tired than last week?
- Am I sleeping well?
If you feel yourself slipping, reach out for support—from your manager, HR, or mental health professionals.
Final Thoughts: Small Home Office Setup Changes, Big Results
The calendar may have flipped, but our surroundings may look the same. These home office setup tips can help you create better habits, improve your wellbeing, and make remote work more manageable in 2024.
Remember, you don’t have to get it perfect—but small, consistent improvements go a long way.
📌 Want to improve your team’s home office setup? Learn about managing your hybrid working policy
🔗 Discover More Remote Work Strategies – Capella Journal and Resources