Category: Office Tips & Guides

Work from home tips are practical habits and setup changes that help you stay productive, comfortable, and mentally well while working remotely. The best approach combines a clear routine, an ergonomic workspace, smart time management, and boundaries that protect your focus. Below are proven, UK-friendly tips you can apply immediately—whether you’re hybrid, fully remote, self-employed, or managing a team. Quick answer: What are the best work from home tips? The best work from home tips are: set consistent work hours, create a dedicated workspace, plan your day in blocks, reduce digital distractions, communicate proactively, take regular breaks, and protect your wellbeing with movement and clear boundaries. Why working from home can feel harder than expected Remote work removes commuting, but it also removes natural structure. Many people struggle with blurred boundaries, constant notifications, and a workspace that wasn’t designed for eight hours of screen time. Common challenges UK workers report include: Context switching from household tasks to deep work Back/neck strain from makeshift setups (sofa, kitchen chair) Always-on pressure from chats, emails, and meetings Loneliness and reduced informal connection Expert insight: In knowledge work, productivity tends to drop when your day becomes “reaction-driven” (messages and meetings) rather than “priority-driven” (planned tasks). The tips below focus on building back that structure. Workspace setup: the foundation of good work from home tips Your environment affects your energy, focus, and comfort. A few adjustments can reduce fatigue and help you concentrate for longer. 1) Create a dedicated work zone (even if it’s small) Definition: A dedicated work zone is a consistent place used mainly for work, helping your brain associate that area with focus. Use a specific corner of a room, not the bed or sofa If space is tight, try a folding desk or a laptop stand you can pack away Keep work items together in a box or drawer to reduce clutter 2) Aim for a basic ergonomic setup You don’t need an expensive chair to improve ergonomics. Start with the essentials: Screen height: top of monitor roughly at eye level (use books or a stand) Chair support: cushion or rolled towel for lower back Keyboard/mouse: elbows around 90 degrees; wrists neutral Feet: flat on the floor or on a footrest (a sturdy box works) Real-world example: A Brighton-based customer support adviser switched from laptop-on-lap to a £25 laptop stand + external keyboard. Within a week, they reported fewer headaches and less neck tension after long shifts. 3) Improve lighting and reduce eye strain Face a window if possible for natural light (avoid glare on the screen) Use a desk lamp with warm/neutral light for dark afternoons Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds 4) Keep your workspace “meeting-ready” A meeting-ready space reduces stress and prevents last-minute scrambling. Keep your background tidy or use a consistent blur Check audio once a week (microphone, headset, settings) Have a notepad and pen within reach for quick capture Work from home tips for productivity and focus Productivity at home is less about working longer and more about working with clarity. These techniques help you plan, prioritise, and finish tasks without burning out. 5) Start the day with a 10-minute plan Definition: Daily planning is choosing your top priorities before distractions begin. Use this simple structure: Top 3 outcomes: What must be true by end of day? One “must-do” task: The most important deliverable Admin window: A set time for emails/messages 6) Time block your calendar (even if you’re not a manager) Block 60–90 minutes for deep work Batch meetings into set windows where possible Add a 10-minute buffer between calls for notes and resets Real-world example: A London-based analyst moved all recurring meetings to Tuesdays/Thursdays and reserved Monday mornings for deep work. They cut late finishes by keeping high-focus tasks out of fragmented meeting days. 7) Use a “shutdown ritual” to stop work bleeding into the evening A shutdown ritual is a short routine that signals your working day is finished. Write tomorrow’s Top 3 Close tabs and log out of work accounts Tidy your desk for 2 minutes Physically leave the work zone (even if it’s just closing a laptop) 8) Control distractions with one change at a time Try these high-impact, low-effort switches: Put your phone in another room for one focus block Turn off non-essential notifications (especially chat pop-ups) Use “Do Not Disturb” during deep work blocks and tell your team your hours Keep only one browser window open when writing or analysing 9) Work in sprints (Pomodoro-style) for mental stamina 25 minutes focus + 5 minutes break, repeated 3–4 times Or 50 minutes focus + 10 minutes break if you prefer longer flow This method works well for writing, reporting, coding, and admin catch-up. 10) Choose the right task for your energy level Definition: Energy-based planning matches tasks to when you feel most alert. Morning: deep work (strategy, writing, problem solving) Early afternoon: meetings and collaboration Late afternoon: admin, inbox, planning Communication tips for remote and hybrid work Good communication is a core remote-working skill. It prevents rework, reduces misunderstandings, and builds trust. 11) Over-communicate the “what, when, and next step” What: What you’re doing When: When it’ll be done (realistic ETA) Next step: What you need from others, if anything 12) Use agendas for meetings (and end with actions) For recurring calls, keep a shared agenda document. Start with the goal of the meeting List discussion points in priority order Finish with clear owners and deadlines 13) Choose the right channel Chat: quick clarifications Email: formal decisions and external stakeholders Doc/comment: feedback and collaboration Call: sensitive topics or complex alignment 14) Set expectations for response times One of the most practical work from home tips is agreeing what “urgent” means. Define typical response windows (e.g., within 4 working hours) Create an escalation path for urgent issues Avoid “always online” culture where possible Wellbeing and health: sustainable work from home tips Remote work is only effective if it’s sustainable. Comfort, movement, and