There are plenty of benefits to working from home: no commute, fewer interruptions, and more control over your day to name only a few.

But when you don’t have space for a dedicated home office, it becomes a lot less fun in most employees’ eyes. The good news is that it doesn’t have to.

Working from your bedroom is a great option when a separate room is out of the question, thanks to our practical home office tips for bedrooms.

7 Practical Home Office Tips for Bedrooms

Tip 1. Consider Your Space

First off, think about your space. How much do you have to spare? Will you need to move your current furniture around to make your home office layout better? Are there pieces of furniture that can do double-duty?

You don’t want to feel cramped — and yes, that might feel impossible. But it’s not. There are plenty of desks designed for small spaces. Not to mention positioning tips that ensure you make the most of the space you do have, such as:

  • Outward-facing desks are best — Make sure your desk is facing a wall or a window (the latter, preferably). It will reduce distractions and make the room feel a lot larger.
  • Buy a desk to suit your space — Big desks are beautiful and often empowering. But they can get old really quickly – especially if your bedroom doesn’t have the footprint to support one. Opt for a smaller desk to make the most of your room if space is limited.

Speaking of desk positioning…

Tip 2. Keep Your Bed Out of The Background

If Zoom is a standard part of your work-from-home day post-COVID, make sure your bed is out of the picture (literally). That’s your private space and shouldn’t be shared with your entire team.

Either set up a curtain to block your bed from view or use a virtual backdrop. They’re relatively inexpensive and can be a great talking point when the pre-meeting conversation dwindles.

Tip 3. Separate Your “Personal” Space from Your “Work” Space

Even though you’re working from your bedroom, it’s crucial to keep a separation between relaxation and work areas. Ideally, putting physical space between your desk and bed is the easiest way to maintain a distinction.

However, that might not be possible. In which case, consider these strategies:

  • Put up a curtain — Not only can curtains be a great Zoom background, but they’re also useful for separating sleep and work areas. As soon as you close them, it signifies the end of your workday.
  • Buy a divider — There are lots of fancy colors and designs to remain true to your aesthetic. Local vintage stores carry interesting options from time to time, too.
  • Adopt mood lighting — If you can’t do any of the above, change the lights. Use task (i.e. white, bright) light for your working hours and switch to warmer light tones when your workday is over.
  • Use a cupboard — If you can, put your desk and computer or laptop in a closet. Closing a door as soon as you’re finished with work is a great way to keep work items out of sight until you need them again. Plus, your office won’t infringe on the beauty of your bedroom.

Tip 4. Use Multipurpose Furniture

For times when your space is super limited, try using your desk as a bedside table. While this does slightly contradict the above point, it might be the best of not-so-great options in tight squeezes.

Some uber-creative types have constructed a single shelf to act as their desk. By day, they work from the laptop at a Starbucks-esque “breakfast bar.” By night, they have a cool-looking shelf , perfect for hiding work away and replacing it with diffusers, candles, flowers, and other relaxing objects.

Tip 5. Use Natural Light to Your Advantage

You should work as close to a natural light source as you can. Seriously, it will boost your productivity like nobody’s business by:

  • Uplifting your mood
  • Improving concentration
  • Ensuring you get enough Vitamin D
  • Increasing creativity

Tip 6. Get a Good Chair

Your office chair makes a massive difference to your comfort and health — especially over long periods. Make sure your chair is supportive, comfortable, and preferably designed with ergonomics in mind. Your back, neck, and circulation will thank you for it.

Tip 7. Avoid Clutter

Finally, avoid clutter. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? But it’s surprising how quickly bits and bobs can pile up when you aren’t paying attention to your layout each day or, at least, every week.

First, spend a few minutes each day putting things away or where they belong. The culinary concept of mise en place means “putting in place” or “everything in its place.” – and the concept can extend well past the kitchen.

Consider storage solutions that aren’t just stylish but functional too. Ottomans, blanket boxes, and trunks are perfect for home offices in the bedroom. Wall-mounted shelves are brilliant too if you’re able to use screws in your wall.