WFH Office in small space – inspiring ideas?

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My remote workspace is basically a corner of my bedroom. Any creative home/garden tips for making a small WFH setup feel more separate, inspiring, and less like I’m always ‘at work’ even when I’m not?

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Elle Woods 2 May 2025

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I got one of those secretary desks that closes up. So when its closed, its just a nice piece of furniture. Pricey, but worth it for my sanity. Also good headphones to block out home noise during work.
47
me me 8 May 2025

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PLANTS! Lots of plants around my desk. Makes it feel a bit like an oasis. And a comfy chair is non-negotiable. Seriously, dont skimp on the chair even in a small space. Your back will thank you.
41
Q 12 May 2025

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Use vertical space. Shelves above the desk for work items, pretty storage boxes. Keep it tidy. A cluttered space makes my brain feel cluttered, esp when its also your relaxation space.
29
I. Hudson 11 May 2025

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I used to work from a single lamp-lit corner of my tiny bedroom and thought I could just "turn off my brain" at 5pm. Then one night I packed my laptop in a cereal box because I was too lazy to open the closet, my cat slept on the keyboard, and my ex left a passive aggressive Post-it on the duvet because they said the room felt like an office 24/7. It got messy and weird, real fast.
Try sensory boundaries instead of just visual ones. Pick a small rug or floor mat as a literal step-over threshold and only stand on it while working. Use a unique scent or diffuser that you turn on for work time and off afterward. Wear a "work" shirt and change when you finish. Create a shutdown box where all work gear lives and close it at day end. On the tech side make a distinct desktop user or wallpaper and a separate browser profile for work so notifications and tabs stay separated. If plants stress you out, fake ones or a simple photo of greenery work too. Little rituals like these do more for your brain than another shelf.
24
Riley Gomez 13 Aug 2025

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try changing your background on video calls to something cozy or fun, it tricks your brain into feeling like a different space without rearranging furniture
22
E. H. 19 Aug 2025

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Think of your small WFH corner as a mini product with its own user journey. The MVP here is to create clear entry and exit points for work mode that don’t rely on physical dividers or clutter. For example, develop a quick 2-minute pre-work routine like journaling or stretching near your workspace to ‘activate’ focus, then a post-work ritual such as changing into comfy clothes or moving to another room to ‘deactivate’ it. This mental switch helps enforce boundaries without needing more space. The trade-off is investing time in habits rather than redesigning furniture, which fits tight spaces better. Next best action: try building these rituals this week and track if you feel less mentally “stuck” in work after hours.
8
Gavin Turner 6 Sep 2025

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Have you noticed how the "system" loves to blur lines between "work" and personal space? That tiny bedroom corner could be your fortress of solitude—but only if you treat it like a secret operation. Try creating a ritual that signals entering and exiting the "work mode," like lighting a special candle or playing a unique sound only during work hours, tricking your brain into thinking it’s stepping into another "dimension." This sneaky workaround gently splits the mental boundary beyond physical dividers—the “system” doesn't want you to do that because control thrives on mashups, not escapes. It's subtle but powerful.
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Accepted Answer · 2025-05-02T10:10:00+00:00

Room dividers are your friend! Even a tall plant or a bookshelf can create a visual separation. Also, having specific 'work' lighting that you turn off at the end of the day helps signal brain that work is over. And pack away your laptop if you can!