10 Best Ways to Stay Focused When Working From Home

Finding the top ways to stay focused when working from home is key for anyone working remotely. Your kitchen table is now your desk. Your pet is now your coworker. That pile of laundry keeps catching your eye during meetings.

Working at home lacks the structure of an office. This makes it easy to get distracted.

The good news? Simple strategies can help you focus better at home while making productivity more positive.

Below is a visual guide containing tips that will help you get more work done with less stress and more wonder:

Now, let's look deeper at how to stay focused while working from home with ideas you can start using today.

1. Create a Dedicated Workspace

Having your own work spot helps your brain know when it's time to focus.

Your brain connects places with certain activities. When you work in the same spot each day, your brain learns that this place means "work time." This helps keep work and home life separate.

Good tools matter too. A height-adjustable standing desk lets you sit or stand during the day. This keeps you alert and helps you stay focused. A good ergonomic chair keeps you comfortable so you can think about your work, not your sore back.

Try adding these things to your work area:

• A window for natural light

• Your screen at eye level

• A clean, tidy space

• A few simple items that make you happy

Your workspace doesn't need to be fancy. It just needs to be comfy and always ready for work.

2. Set Clear Working Hours and Boundaries

Having a regular schedule helps your brain stay focused during work time.

When you work from home, work and personal time can mix together. This makes it hard to focus deeply or truly relax. Setting work hours creates clear lines between work and home life.

Think about when you feel most alert. Are you sharper in the morning? Or do you work better after lunch? Plan your main work hours during these high-energy times.

After you choose your schedule:

• Tell everyone in your home when you're working

• Create daily habits that mark the start and end of work

• Let your team know when you're available

• Turn on "do not disturb" when you need to focus

• Take regular breaks for meals

Consistency is your friend here. When everyone knows your work hours and respects them, focusing becomes much easier.

3. Plan Your Day with Smart Scheduling Techniques

Breaking your day into chunks makes big tasks feel more manageable.

Try time blocking by setting aside specific periods for different tasks. For example, check emails from 9-10 AM, then work on big projects from 10-12 PM. This helps your brain focus on one thing at a time.

The Pomodoro Technique can also boost your focus. Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer 15-30 minute break. This method prevents burnout and keeps your mind fresh.

Start each morning by picking 1-3 main goals for the day. You'll feel less overwhelmed and more accomplished when you finish them.

Helpful planning tools include:

• Paper planners for daily to-do lists

• Digital apps like Trello or Notion

• Simple sticky notes on your desk

With a clear plan, you'll waste less time wondering what to do next and bring more positive energy to each task.

4. Limit Digital Distractions

Social media and notifications can steal hours of your workday without you noticing.

The average person checks their phone 96 times a day! Each interruption needs about 23 minutes to fully refocus. Cutting digital distractions is one of the best ways to stay productive.

Try these tools to help:

• Freedom: Blocks distracting websites and apps

• Cold Turkey: Locks you out of social media during work hours

• Forest: Plants a virtual tree that dies if you leave the app

You might also create a distraction-free computer setup. You could use a second monitor just for work tasks or set up separate browser profiles for work and personal use.

Try putting your phone in another room while working. Even seeing it on your desk can reduce your focus. Turn off all non-essential notifications during your peak work hours.

With fewer digital interruptions, you'll find it easier to enter a flow state where your best work happens.

5. Re-energize with Movement and Environmental Shifts

Sitting in one position all day drains your energy and focus.

Regular movement wakes up your body and brain. Changing positions helps you think more clearly. A sit-stand desk makes this easy by letting you switch between sitting and standing throughout the day.

Try these movement breaks:

• Simple desk stretches every hour

• A quick walk around your home

• Standing during phone calls

• Basic yoga poses to release tension

Changing your environment can also refresh your mind. Occasionally, try working from a different spot in your home. Move from your desk to the kitchen table after lunch.

Or make small changes to your workspace. Open a window for fresh air or adjust your lighting. These small shifts can prevent mental fatigue.

An anti-fatigue mat helps you stand comfortably longer. You can stay active without discomfort. This is a perfect example of how movement and mood are true work-from-home allies.

6. Try "Body Doubling" or Co-working Calls

Having someone work alongside you can boost your focus, even virtually.

"Body doubling" means working in the presence of another person. This simple technique helps many people stay on task. We naturally perform better when others can see our work.

Here's how to try it:

• Schedule video calls with a friend where you both work silently

• Join virtual co-working rooms like Focusmate

• Use "Study With Me" videos on YouTube

Set clear expectations with your body double. For example, agree to work quietly for 50 minutes, then chat for 10 minutes. You'll maintain focus while still feeling connected.

This technique works especially well for tasks you tend to avoid. Knowing someone else is "watching" creates gentle accountability. Body doubling combines the best of social connection with focused work time.

7. Minimize Distractions with Sound and Boundaries

Background noise can make or break your ability to focus.

The right sounds can block distractions and help your brain concentrate. The wrong sounds can constantly pull your attention away from work.

Try these sound solutions:

• White noise machines to mask household sounds

• Lo-fi music without lyrics (search "lo-fi beats for studying")

• Nature sounds like rainfall or ocean waves

• Apps like Brain.fm or Noisli designed for focus

Also, establish visual signals for household members. Wearing headphones can be your "do not disturb" sign. A closed door might mean "only interrupt for emergencies."

Communicate your needs clearly. Let others know what helps you focus. They can support your work habits rather than accidentally disrupting them.

With the right sound environment and clear boundaries, you create a mental space for focus even when your physical space is shared.

8. Support Focus with Healthy Habits Beyond Work Hours

What you do outside work hours affects how well you can focus during them.

There are lots of things affecting productivity, and the image below features some of them:

Sleep is your brain's foundation for focus. Without enough rest, your attention span shrinks. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Simple nutrition choices boost brain power too. Keep water and healthy snacks at your desk. Foods like nuts, fruits, and proteins provide steady energy without crashes.

Try these healthy work habits:

• Keep a water bottle at your desk

• Eat regular meals away from your computer

• Take a real lunch break

• Go outside for 10 minutes daily

• Set a consistent bedtime

Evening routines matter too. Try to stop using screens an hour before bed. Blue light can disrupt your sleep. Also, limit caffeine after noon.

When you take care of your body, your brain can focus better, which is another way of saying that work doesn't work without health.

9. Use The "Reset" Strategy

Everyone loses focus sometimes. Having a reset plan helps you bounce back quickly.

Your brain isn't designed to focus intensely for hours without breaks. Many people waste time feeling guilty about distractions instead of simply resetting.

Try these quick reset activities:

• A 5-minute walk outside

• Deep breathing for 2 minutes

• Writing down what's distracting you

• Stretching or basic yoga poses

• Changing from sitting to standing (or vice versa)

If you catch yourself scrolling social media, don't beat yourself up. Instead, close the app, stand up, stretch, and then return to your task with a fresh mind.

Using a height-adjustable workstation makes position changes easy. The physical shift helps trigger a mental reset too.

Normalizing these resets removes the shame of distraction. You waste less time and recover your focus more quickly, making productivity more positive.

10. Avoid Multitasking Traps

Doing one thing well beats doing three things poorly.

Multitasking isn't really possible for your brain. Instead, you quickly switch between tasks, which drains your mental energy. Studies show that multitasking can lower your IQ by 10 points temporarily!

Try these single-tasking strategies:

• Close all tabs not related to your current project

• Put your phone in another room

• Set a timer for 25-50 minutes of focused work

• Group similar tasks together (like answering all emails at once)

• Write down distracting thoughts to handle later

Be honest about when you're most likely to multitask. Do you check your email during virtual meetings? Do you text while writing reports?

Some kinds of multitasking work better than others. Folding laundry while on a conference call might be fine. Writing important emails while talking to your boss isn't effective.

Protect your most important work by giving it your full attention, a mindful approach that leads to better results.

Conclusion

Working from home offers freedom, but staying focused takes skill. The strategies we've shared can help you create a workspace where productivity feels positive and work doesn't drain your energy. 

Remember, small changes make big differences. Start with one idea that feels right for you. Your ideal focus formula will be unique to your needs, space, and work style. 

With the right approach, you can find more wonder in your work, even when home and office are the same place.

Staying Focused at Home FAQs

How can I stay focused in a shared or small space?

Even a small corner can work if you define it clearly. Use dividers, shelves, or consistent cues to create a focus zone. Noise-canceling headphones help create mental boundaries when physical ones aren't possible.

What kind of desk setup helps with focus?

An ergonomic setup with a sit-stand solution, supportive chair, and proper screen height reduces distractions from discomfort. This allows you to think about your work instead of physical strain.

How often should I take breaks when working from home?

Try the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of work/5 minutes break) or a short break every hour. Listen to your body and make breaks intentional rather than just checking social media.

Can sound really help me focus?

Yes, the right background noise can block distractions and help many people concentrate better. Try instrumental music, coffee shop sounds, or white noise to find what works for your brain.

Is multitasking ever okay when working remotely?

It works for simple, low-concentration tasks but should be avoided for important work requiring full attention. Save multitasking for routine activities and try batching similar small tasks instead.