17 Tips to Work From Home More Productively

By Malcolm Gurley, President | Six Sigma Black Belt

Gurley Leadership Solutions Inc.  |  Ajax, Ontario

The shift toward working from home accelerated sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for many organizations it is now permanent. Companies scrambled to manage the change, and while it was difficult for a lot of people, most adapted out of necessity. There is now a clear expectation for a remote and mobile workforce. The genie is out of the bottle, and it is not going back in.

Over more than 35 years leading teams and advising organizations across Durham Region and the GTA, I have learned that the people who do best at home treat their workspace with the same intention as a workplace. Gallup's research on remote-capable employees finds that about six in ten prefer a hybrid arrangement and roughly three in ten prefer fully remote work, so close to nine in ten now want some form of flexibility. That makes getting your setup right more valuable than ever.

Setting Up Your Home Workspace

Working from home can be a challenge, and everyone's situation is different. One person may have a spare room for an office. Another may live in a small apartment with a shared, open space. Add young children or other dependents, a partner who works shifts, and many other variables, and it becomes clear that no single setup fits everyone.

The recommendations below are not all possible for every home. Treat them as best practices, and apply the ones that fit your space and your life. Even a few of them will make a real difference to your comfort and your output.

17 Work From Home Tips for Better Productivity

Here are the practices I recommend most often to the leaders and teams I work with:

1. If you can, choose a room with a door that closes, and use it as your office.
2. Put a proper desk in that room for your computer equipment and paperwork.
3. Close the door for conference calls, and make sure everyone you live with knows not to disturb you while it is shut. A small coloured light that signals "busy" or "free" works well.
4. Talk with the people you live with. Explain what you need to work efficiently, share ideas, and agree on ground rules for your working environment.
5. Use an ergonomic chair with good lumbar support, adjustable arms, and adjustable height. Back, neck, and shoulder strain is a growing problem at home, so sort this out early rather than toughing it out.
6. Add a second monitor for a dual-screen setup alongside your laptop. Two screens are widely reported to lift productivity.
7. Use a headset for audio. A wired headset is usually clearer, since wireless ones can pick up static or drop out.
8. In a separate room, a tabletop speakerphone with a built-in microphone and noise-cancelling technology works well. Many models double as a hands-free Bluetooth device for your phone.
9. Consider a separate webcam instead of the laptop camera. There are a few good reasons:
   • A webcam usually offers higher resolution and better picture quality.
   • You can mount it slightly above you and angle it down, which is more flattering than a laptop camera pointing up at your face. A tripod or flexible arm makes this easy.
   • Many webcams include a ring light that brightens your face and softens shadows.
10. Make sure the lighting is right. If the ceiling light is not enough, add a task light.
11. Put in an honest workday and respect your employment agreement. Treat the time you save by not commuting as time for planning and creative thinking, an investment in your career.
12. When the day ends, protect time for your personal life. A healthy work-life balance keeps you effective over the long run.
13. If you need to flex your hours, agree on it with your employer first.
14. Dress in a way that suits your role, and dress appropriately for video calls.
15. When you turn your camera off, set a clear headshot photo to appear in its place. You upload this in your video app profile, for example in Zoom under Settings, Profile, Edit My Profile.
16. Take a short break every hour to stand, stretch, and move. Walk to another part of your home to get the blood flowing.
17. Stay hydrated. Dehydration tires you out and is not good for your body.

Protecting Your Posture, Health, and Focus

Comfort at home is not a luxury. Poor posture and long hours in one position lead to real strain over time. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety advises that a home office should meet the same health and safety standards as the workplace, notes that a kitchen table is usually not an ideal work surface because it sits too high for proper wrist position, and reminds remote workers to take regular breaks. The natural breaks of an office, like walking to the printer or chatting with a colleague, disappear at home, so you have to build them in on purpose.

Two more details protect your focus. Keep your monitor free of glare and reflections, and raise the light level if your eyes feel strained. Control noise by isolating your work area or using noise-cancelling headphones, especially during calls.

Keeping a Healthy Work-Life Balance

The biggest risk of remote work is not slacking off. It is overworking. Without a commute to mark the start and end of the day, work can quietly spill into the evening. Set a clear finish time, step away from your workspace, and give your personal life the same respect you give your job. People who protect that boundary stay sharper, healthier, and more productive month after month.

Frequently Asked Questions About Working From Home

How can I be more productive working from home?

Start with a dedicated, ergonomic workspace, then protect your hours with clear boundaries and a set finish time. Tell the people you live with your schedule, take a short break every hour, and stay hydrated. These work from home tips reduce distraction and help you keep a healthy work-life balance, which is what sustains productivity over time.

What do I need to set up a home office?

At a minimum, you need a proper desk, an ergonomic chair with lumbar support, good lighting, and reliable audio such as a wired headset. A second monitor, a separate webcam, and a quiet space with a door that closes all help further. The goal is a setup that matches the comfort and function of a workplace.

How do I stay focused when working from home with family around?

Communicate clearly. Explain what you need to work efficiently, agree on ground rules, and use a visible signal, such as a closed door or a coloured light, to show when you should not be disturbed. A dedicated room and a consistent schedule make those boundaries much easier for everyone to respect.

How often should I take breaks when working from home?

Aim for a short break every hour to stand, stretch, and move to another part of your home. The natural breaks of an office disappear at home, so you have to build them in. Regular movement protects your posture, reduces strain, and keeps your energy and focus steady through the day.

Does working from home improve productivity?

For many people it does, provided the setup and habits are right. Time saved on commuting can go toward focused work, and fewer interruptions can help. The difference comes down to a proper workspace, clear boundaries, and healthy routines, rather than the location alone.

About the Author: Malcolm Gurley

Malcolm Gurley is President of Gurley Leadership Solutions Inc., based in Ajax, Ontario. A Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Certified practitioner with more than 35 years of senior executive experience at Fortune 100 and manufacturing organizations including Honeywell, Johnson Controls, and Armstrong Fluid Technology, he now helps organizations across the Greater Toronto Area and Durham Region build stronger leaders and more productive teams, including those working in remote and hybrid arrangements. Learn more about Malcolm Gurley and why clients choose Gurley Leadership Solutions, or visit the FAQ page.