If you’re a freelancer, you might find yourself distracted by any number of things when working at home. Designating a workspace and determining what you can do to eliminate interruptions can increase productivity. Create a solid work-from-home (WFH) space that inspires and drives you to success.

1. Assign a Space

Before you can focus on making your remote workspace the best it can be, you have to figure out where it is. If you have a separate room in your home, your task may be a bit easier. However, you can set aside a WFH area even in the smallest square footage.

The trick to setting up a highly productive, non-distracting space is using it for a single purpose. Keeping a room only as your office and utilizing it only for business purposes also helps you take that space off on your taxes. 

2. Add Privacy

One Stanford analysis showed working from home can be around 10% less productive, so finding little things to do to increase productivity can fill the gap. If other people live in your home, you’ll need to figure out how to keep your space private for meetings or prevent them from interfering with your work day.

For an office space, you can lock the door, put out a sign that says “do not disturb” and reinforce stripping around the door to create a sound barrier. If you still hear outside noise, try adding some white noise or soft music to drown it out.

Those setting up their WFH space in a shared room may have to work a bit harder to make it private. You can use rolling privacy walls available from office supply stores and Amazon to create a barrier between you and the rest of the room. Add tall potted plants to create a jungle wall behind your desk or turn your desk to face out into the room so you have a blank wall behind you during meetings.

If you live with numerous others and they interrupt your work day when they’re home despite your efforts, you may need a backup plan, such as leasing shared office space one day a week at a nearby building or going to a cafe or restaurant with a private room you can book. Some libraries also offer private rooms you can book ahead of time. 

3. Buy the Right Tools

Having the right tools can also inspire you to work harder and more efficiently. Consider what you need to complete your work comfortably and make a list. For example, you may need a desk, comfortable chair and television to keep up with current events. 

Additional features that might help are sit/stand options, an ergonomic mat for when you stand and a printer or drawing tablet. A graphic designer freelancer will need different components than a business coach. Determine what you need and make sure it is all within reach before you start your work day. 

4. Craft Your Space for Your Skill

When you don’t go into an office every day, you need to put in some work to make your workspace productive. Self-employment and freelance work can look like a lot of things, from writing to bookkeeping to artistic ventures. 

For example, 2 out of ever 3 new jobs in the United States are related to artisanal craftsmanship. If your work requires materials and space to craft or build, ensure your home office is always stocked with what you need and has plenty of tabletop room. 

If your freelance work is primarily online, make sure to have a computer that runs efficiently, and equip your desk with ergonomic furnishings to maximize comfort. 

5. Bring in Natural Light

An HR advisory and research firm studied the work environment and its impact on overall wellbeing and productivity. Around 70% of participants indicated natural daylight improved their mood, sleep quality and productivity. 

Open window shades or move your laptop outside on nice days to bring in more natural light. Pull curtains back and let the sun shine in for a mental boost that will drive you to get more done in the same amount of time. 

6. Add Things You Love

Bring a few items into your workspace that you love and find motivational. Hang posters with sayings from famous people that spur you to do your best. Frame an award you won for your work to inspire you to keep striving toward greatness.

Do you have a childhood painting your parents kept? Frame it and hang it on the wall because you love it and it marks a moment you were free in your creativity. Print images of people’s work you admire to remind you to strive for groundbreaking new innovations. 

7. Train Those Around You

For an intangible change that will help you be more productive and focused, train the people who live in your space to respect your working hours. If you deal with constant interruptions, it’s hard to dig deep enough to find a fresh thought. 

If someone calls you during your working hours, either don’t answer the phone or remind them that you work until a certain time and will phone them after that. If they try to drop by your house, tell them you can’t talk because you are in the middle of a big project. You’ll have to find a balance between showing people you care while teaching them to respect your WFH setup. 

The Perfect WFH Office Space

The great thing about working from home is that you can set up your space the way you want. If a certain color inspires you, paint the entire room in that hue. Look for the things that keep you inspired and churning out new ideas and you’ll find you can be just as productive at home as in an office setting.