The bedroom is designed for sleep, so when it is used as a different sort of space, there’s no surprise that problems ensue. It’s a common struggle amongst remote workers and mobile professionals. 

But fret not. We’ll address the productivity pitfalls and explore practical solutions to effectively turn your bedroom office into a thriving workspace.

Why Working in the Bedroom is a Common Struggle

Working in the bedroom poses inherent challenges due to a confluence of ergonomic, environmental, and psychological factors. These problems often include inadequate desk setups, insufficient space and lighting, and blurred work-life boundaries, creating an environment that hampers productivity.

Let’s explore all 3 factors (and solutions) in more detail.

Most Bedroom Desk Setups are Inadequate

We start with the bedroom desk – where most bedroom offices immediately fail. Most people have bedroom desks that are simply inadequate. 

Bedrooms typically have limited space, so a desk that ‘fits’ in a bedroom may have to conform to the spatial constraints of the bedroom. This means the desk would probably have key limitations that kill productivity. 

Examine your current desk. Here are some potential limitations it might have: 

• It may be too small for working comfortably without awkwardly bending your wrists, reaching for items, or straining your neck and shoulders. 
• It may not accommodate numerous screens. 
• The desk’s depth may prove inadequate to accommodate space for all essentials or even allow for basic legroom, such as comfortably stretching out one’s legs.

If you’re unproductive in your bedroom, the odds are that you could make 1 or 2 modifications to your current desk that would improve productivity. Pick the top 1-2 things that you think would help your setup the most, and make these changes quickly. The reality is that most improvements are not very costly or tough to make. 

Here are some ideas of potential improvements (you should pick or come up with solutions that alleviate your specific desk’s limitations):

• Add a Keyboard Tray: Do this to relieve wrist tension/strain and free up precious desk space. (This also improves legroom since you can sit further from your desk.)
• Change Your Chair: A more comfortable office chair – better still an ergonomic one from a reputable brand – reduces discomfort during long work hours. 
• Position yourself or your furniture differently: Rearrange furniture to create more space and comfort. Alternatively, consider sitting at a different side of your desk.
• Convert to a Sit-Stand Desk: Add a laptop stand or a desktop riser so you have the option of standing while performing certain tasks.
• Get Rid of Clutter: A clutter-free desk minimizes distractions and fosters a more organized mindset.

To maximize functionality in a constrained space and pick your best tools, browse a comprehensive list of 12 ideas on setting up your bedroom desk.

This article was originally published on unboundist.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.

Poor Environmental Settings for Success

Beyond the desk, the next reason most bedroom offices fail pertains to their environmental settings. Let’s first address the most common ‘issue’ caused by limited space: People resort to working on the bed. This isn’t necessarily a productivity killer but it captures the greatest issue of a bedroom workspace environment. Essentially, you may be giving your body mixed signals. How productive can you be on a bed you primarily use for deep rest and relaxation?

Working in bed blurs the line between work and personal space, potentially impeding concentration and productivity due to the association of the bed with relaxation and rest. Additionally, working in bed presents inherent challenges, including compromised ergonomics that hinder optimal posture and comfort.

But beyond the bed, there exist other constraints of a bedroom office, which are typical of mixed-use spaces:

• Lighting Issues: The lighting in a bedroom is often warm-white, lacking the type of lighting that enhances cognitive focus and productivity: cool-white lighting. You should proactively set up office lighting in a bedroom to foster an environment that isn’t just conducive to rest but also productivity.
• Ventilation: A small bedroom used for sleeping may lack proper airflow that keeps your mind sharp and focused.
• Common Distractions: Distractions such as TVs, gaming consoles, or other personal items can easily divert your attention. You’d argue that it’s hard to eliminate them since you’re entitled to resting and relaxing in your bedroom.

These challenges are why working in a bedroom without sacrificing productivity is extremely difficult for most people. If bedroom productivity is limited due to such functional constraints, a living room may offer a more feasible alternative given its spaciousness and versatility.

Vices/Habits Kill Productivity

Forget about productivity when you’re constantly toying with the prospects of vices and bad habits. Most bedrooms are filled with distractions, from the allure of a cozy bed to personal items that trigger a desire to relax. 

Look around your bedroom and honestly acknowledge the negative mental influences you see and feel. Here are some examples:

• Clutter
• Excessive Social Media Use
• Unhealthy Snacking
• Pornography
• Mindless Web Surfing
• Lack of Sleep

If you can’t get vices and habits out of sight and out of mind, they will constantly undermine your productivity in a bedroom office setting.

It is hard to get work done at home due to the constant blending of work and leisure. With blurred boundaries between professional responsibilities and personal relaxation, maintaining the necessary discipline for effective work becomes increasingly elusive – you are more susceptible to detrimental vices and habits.

Solutions to Make Your Bedroom Office Work

Knowing the pitfalls, if you are still insistent on making your bedroom a place where you’re effective at your work, let’s crack the code of the bedroom office. 

Improving the Setup of Your Bedroom Office

The very first step is to improve the overall setup. Ensure that you take care of two aspects: productivity and comfort. Neglecting the environment can undermine even the best practices. 

No amount of willpower and employing the right habits can make up for an unoptimized bedroom office environment. 

Here’s the gist of how to make your bedroom an effective workspace. First, plan your bedroom desk workspace – avoid common mistakes by taking care of the factors mentioned above for an effective bedroom desk. Ensure that you locate your desk strategically; place your desk in a location with minimal distractions (such as having your bed out of sight). Then, take care of environmental factors like incorporating cool-white lighting, decluttering, and zoning your bedroom office for work-life separation.

For more detailed tips, here are 10 aspects to follow through when designing a properly functional (yet restful) bedroom office space.

Adopting the Right Strategies and Habits

Your strategies and habits can make or break your productivity in a small bedroom. You must be extremely strategic and intentional if you are hell-bent on making your bedroom office your primary workspace.

From strategic time blocking to setting boundaries with family members, there are many habits you can employ to stay productive in a bedroom – here’s a comprehensive list of ideas. Out of all the strategies, I have found the following ones to be the most critical and probably universal to everyone who works in their bedrooms:

• Sticking to a schedule
• Switching environments

Sticking to a schedule ensures that you sit at your desk and work during specific pre-determined hours that don’t change. Such a set schedule creates predictability. It sends your brain clear signals that it’s time for work, even though you have a bed and other relaxing elements in that same room. It removes some confusion in a typical bedroom environment.

Switching environments is a good practice to incorporate. If your main workspace is in your bedroom, you must be very flexible as there will inevitably be days when you feel uninspired to work there. You need to have backup locations ready. Having alternative locations allows for transitions – you can just move and switch environments whenever productivity wanes. This leads us nicely to the next point.

Don’t Force It: Reconsider Your Workspace

If despite your efforts, the bedroom office proves impractical, don’t force it. Spatial constraints may necessitate a reevaluation of your workspace:

• Consider alternative spaces in your home: Explore other areas like the living room, kitchen, or a spare room for a more suitable setup. If still uncertain about whether you should push ahead with a bedroom office, here’s a guide to help you make a firm decision.
• Work Outside: Public venues can provide affordable alternatives for those seeking a change of scenery. Here are 9 alternatives to a home office ensuring that you never run out of productive workspaces in your city.
• Be Realistic: Set realistic expectations about your bedroom office, understanding your limitations and capabilities. Perhaps you could plan to work in your bedroom productively at select times of the day, but elsewhere at other times.

Conclusion

Navigating the terrain of a bedroom office can be tricky, but with thoughtful modifications and strategic planning, you can transform it into a productive haven.

Recognize the pitfalls, implement effective solutions, and remain flexible in your approach.