- Define your workspace and use physical barriers to separate it from the rest of your space. Create clear time boundaries, and use rituals to start
- Employ natural light, plants, and other elements of nature into your working environment. Incorporate Feng Shui knowledge into the construction of your space.
- Shake up your day by working outside the house.
With a wave of remote jobs, many employees find themselves struggling to disconnect work from their personal lives when both exist in the same space. For those in a home, whether it be renting in downtown Seattle or owning in the suburbs of Edmonds, it’s easier to find a space outside your bedroom to get your work done. However, for folks renting studio apartments, the ability to delineate between a workspace and a cooking space becomes increasingly more difficult. So the question remains: how do you build a home office in a studio apartment?
Whether you’re living in a studio apartment in San Diego or renting in Dallas, our experts in interior design, feng shui, and other relevant fields are here to bring you a treasure trove of tips for revolutionizing your work-from-home experience. This ApartmentGuide article compiles the best of those tips, so keep reading.
1. Create a designated workspace
The first step of finding how to parse out a home office in a studio is the hardest. "To maintain a healthy work-life balance in a studio apartment, it's essential to create a dedicated workspace that visually and functionally separates your professional life from your personal one,” says Anthony Miller of Mr. Sander, a floor renovation company.
“Utilize room dividers or strategically placed furniture to designate an 'office area.' This not only helps to mentally switch into work mode but also allows you to 'leave' work at the end of the day by simply moving to a different part of your home. Incorporating elements such as plants or artwork that inspire productivity can further enhance this distinction, making your home a sanctuary for both work and relaxation."
Alessia Lamonaca, owner and lead designer with New Mode Home, seconds the idea of using a physical barrier to create your workspace. “Utilize room dividers like decorative screens or bookshelves to visually separate your work area from the rest of the apartment, fostering privacy and focus during work hours. Rugs can also help visually define each area or zone. Incorporate ample storage solutions to optimize space and minimize clutter, and consider ergonomic furniture pieces and standing desks to promote movement and flexibility when working from home.”
Once you're done with work, you can easily change the space by moving your room divider. Misty Molloy, founder and CoCreative director of CoCreative Interiors, suggests, "Fold them up when not in use, or use them as a fun accent – color and fabric options can make them a statement piece."
Within this workspace you’re creating, it’s important to only let work exist there while you’re clocked in. “Keep all distracting electrical things and apps away from the workspace,” advises Maria Ljungström of Inredningsvis, a popular interior design and lifestyle blog. “Keep the home office interior style inviting and invest in a smart and stylish storage solution and some shelves. This will keep your workspace well-organized and not messy. Surround the home office with some green plants and an air moisturizer to keep your working area air moist and fresh.”
Despite how tempting it can be, don’t roll over in bed and open your laptop to start the day. “It may be tempting to work from your bed or sofa, but this blurs the lines between work life and home life,” shares Dani Christine of Dani Christine Interiors. “Work at a desk or dining table that you can step away from at the end of the day.”
2. Get creative if your space is smaller
One of the major downsides of working out of a home office in a studio apartment is the lack of another space, but an unconventional idea might be the solution. “If you don't have a separate room for any office I suggest creating an office corner that has its own light source and has some type of division to the living space even if that's a tall plant,” recommends Julia Newman of Julia Adele Design.
Another solution if you only have a small amount of space to work with could be to create a flexible space. “By crafting a multifunctional space that seamlessly transitions from a productive work environment to a tranquil living area, individuals can foster a sense of balance,” shares Pete Kiriakopoulous of Studio1NINE1. “Integrating smart, space-saving designs — such as a fold-away desk or a room divider that doubles as an art piece — enables one to physically and mentally separate work hours from leisure time, fostering a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. This approach not only maximizes the utility of limited square footage but also enhances one's ability to enjoy the comforts of home without the encroachment of professional responsibilities.”
3. Position your workspace with natural light
Keeping in mind where you set up your home office in a studio is also very important. “I set up a work desk in our dining room, where there is amazing natural light and the table is facing a window, with a view to look at,” says Giselle Gyalzen, owner of Rare Device, a specialty boutique focused on sourcing unique and beautiful items to share. “This helps keep me energized and helps keep my mood up during the work day. When it is a gloomy day, I light a candle or incense to help keep me focused.”
4. Have a change of space
Working inside your apartment all day would make anyone go stir-crazy. Before you start to feel the walls closing in on you, take a tip from Melissa Griffin, principal designer at Indigo Ink Designs. “Need a change of scenery? Take your laptop and hit up the nearest park or café. It's like a mini adventure, with the added bonus of caffeine,” she says.
For Hanna Kanabiajeuskaja, co-founder of the team-building event company, Spaciously, getting out of the house is built into how she gets her work done. “I split my work into creative and mundane,” she shares. “I do creative work at home, where it's quiet, and I have my big screen and unlimited herbal tea. I do mundane work at a social club or co-working spot in San Francisco. With people around me, I feel less lonely, and since the club is downtown, I'm more motivated to go to social events after work.”
5. Incorporate natural elements into your space
Never underestimate the importance of some greenery and crystals in your space to make your home office in a studio more calming and conducive to a focused workflow. "Integrate plant life, natural materials, and nature-inspired textures into your studio's design to embody biophilic design principles,” recommends Roberto Ortiz de Landazuri, founder of ArchEyes, an online magazine focused on architecture and design. ”These elements can enhance mood, productivity, and creativity. Consider strategically placing indoor plants to define your workspace, bringing a sense of calm and inspiration to your apartment."
Using a plant to designate a workspace in your room can make the separation less harsh and cold. Shelagh Conway of Triple Heart Design adds, “Create plant walls to divide the space while refreshing the energy and set your desk to view the outdoors with tons of natural light.”
6. Set clear time boundaries
By far the hardest part about working remotely from home is setting clear time boundaries. Knowing when you’re clocking on and when you’re clocking off is crucial to the success of a work-life balance. “If you want to maintain balance you need to designate specific times to work and stick to it,” says Dani Christine of Dani Christine Interiors. “It’s tempting to keep a more flexible schedule, but you run the risk of feeling like you are always on call.”
Giselle Gyalzen of Rare Devices is an expert at creating time boundaries. “I follow my calendar, where I set specific start and end times for the work day, as well as a designated time for a lunch break. This way my work time doesn't bleed into family time and I make sure that I am done working by the time everyone in my family gets home. When my time is up, I close my laptop and put it away for the night.”
When working from home it’s tempting to work through lunch to clock off early, but those mental breaks are important. “Statistics show that we are more productive with mental breaks,” adds Dani Christine. “Get out and go for a walk, run a quick errand, go grab a coffee – whatever it is, take a lunch. It will help clear your mind and keep cabin fever (a very real thing) at bay.”
Shelagh Conway of Triple Heart Design sums it up perfectly: “To have a work-life balance while working/living in a small space apartment, the key is creating separate spaces for activities and mentally unplugging from one to the other.”
7. Create a ritual to transition into and out of work mode and relaxation mode
Incorporating rituals into your workday can revolutionize your relationship with your space. “Embrace the power of rituals: Create distinct rituals to mark the beginning and end of your workday,” shares Samphy of YSAMPHY, a blog focused on productivity and self-improvement. “This could be something as simple as lighting a candle when you start work and blowing it out when you're done. These rituals act as psychological cues to transition between work mode and relaxation mode and help to maintain boundaries in a small physical space.”
Alessia Lamonaca of New Mode Home adds more to the idea of transitioning into work mode. “Incorporating daily rituals like short walks outside or mindfulness exercises can refresh your mind and prevent burnout,” she says. “Establishing a daily routine that signals the transition into work mode, such as making a cup of coffee or lighting a candle, can help mentally prepare you for the tasks ahead. If you live with someone else, use noise-canceling headphones or a white noise machine to minimize distractions.”
Another ritual to mark the start of the day can be as simple as putting clothes on. “One of the perks of working from home is that you can work in casual wear,” shares Dani Christine of Dani Christine Interiors. “But when you get dressed, it helps mentally define that it’s time to get stuff done.”
Just as important as it is to have a ritual to start work, it’s also important to have a ritual to end work. “When the workday is done, shut down your computer and switch gears,” says Melissa Griffin of Indigo Ink Designs. “Maybe light a candle, do a little dance – whatever helps you transition from work mode to relaxation mode.”
8. Tidy up at the end of the day
When you’ve clocked off for the day, it’s important to return the space to one of comfort and relaxation. It’s easy for a workspace to become overwhelmed with clutter, so it can be a challenge to keep your space clutter-free. “At the end of the workday, make a conscious effort to tidy up your workspace and stow away any work equipment to physically delineate the boundary between work and personal time within your limited living space,” says Alessia Lamonaca. ”This practice helps maintain balance and prevents work from encroaching on your leisure time.”
One way to make cleaning easier is to create organized and functional storage.” Space is at a premium in a studio apartment so chorale all of your office supplies into one spot,” says Dani Christine. “I love a cute decorative box (with a lid) that can hold everything. Include not only pens and post-it notes, but also paperwork from your latest project. When it’s time to work, pull out the box and have all of your supplies at your fingertips. At 5 pm, you can quickly store everything and clock out.”
For Dolorese Mukisa of Flourished Minimalist, keeping a space tidy yet personalized is vital to success. “I believe the ambiance of a home office should inspire and motivate productivity. Try to keep your desk decor simple as well as clutter-free using an efficient storage solution. And, endeavor to personalize your workspace with decor items that resonate with your passions, achievements,or goals to instill a sense of pride and ownership beneficial to a positive work environment.”
9. Take inspiration from feng shui
To achieve a harmonious work-life balance while working from a home office in a studio apartment, consider these feng shui-inspired tips provided by Andrew Hong of Hong’s Feng Shui Consulting.
“Check and introduce the balanced amount of the five elements: Fire, water, earth, wood and metal. For life, peace, and calm in the environment, add plants and water features in the apartment. Identify and activate the wealth and health corners of your space. Continue to check in and feel the impact of your inner feelings regularly. Don’t just apply these tips and forget.”
Kimberly Archambault of Joy Feng Shui Consulting Inc. also provides an extensive list of recommendations to incorporate the symbolism of water and the use of crystals into your workspace.
“Energize your workspace with water: Incorporate the element of water into your workspace by placing a small fountain in the eastern part of your office to support prosperity energy in 2024 (*optimal location for water symbolism in your office will change each year). Water symbolizes abundance, wealth, and the flow of energy. The gentle sound of flowing water can create a calming atmosphere and promote creativity and abundance in your work.
Harness the power of crystals: Place a high-quality crystal, such as clear quartz or amethyst, on your desk or in a prominent area of your workspace. Crystals are believed to absorb and transmute negative energy, keeping the energy flowing smoothly and preventing stagnation. Choose a crystal that resonates with you and your intentions for your work and life.
Balance yin and yang energies: Create a balance between active (yang) and restful (yin) energies in your studio apartment. Designate separate areas for work and relaxation, ensuring that each space has its own distinct energy and purpose. Use soft lighting and comfortable furnishings in your relaxation area to promote relaxation and rejuvenation.
Personalized color recommendations: Select colors for your workspace based on your personal energy balance and the specific energy you need to support creativity and growth. Consider consulting with a feng shui practitioner to determine which colors support you and will enhance your productivity and well-being.
Clear clutter, clear mind: Keep your workspace and living space clutter-free to allow energy to flow freely and promote clarity of thought. Use storage solutions like baskets or shelves to maintain an organized environment and prevent stagnant energy from accumulating.”