We Share Our Best Work-From-Home Secrets

An influx of people working from home these days – an entirely foreign concept for many. So how do you cope with the sudden change in your workflow? While it can certainly be a new situation, there are also many perks that come with working from the comfort of your own living room, kitchen or bedroom. We also realize it can be easy to falter on productivity when you don’t have the routine of going into an office every day, so our editors have shared their best work-from-home secrets.

Published June 26, 2019, Updated March 24, 2020

Lauren Miller

1 / 10

Get Ready for the Day

“I’ve worked from home for over half my career and I’m a little embarrassed to say that I mostly work from the comfort of my bed. I even have a beautiful Formica table as a desk! But, alas, my comfy bed calls. I find the best way to feel productive at home is to start the workday like you would if you were going into an office: make your bed, eat breakfast, shower and get dressed (so it’s not all of sudden 2PM and you’re still in your pyjamas!).” – Jen F., editor, HGTV Canada

Find more ways to create a daily routine to boost your mood and productivity.

Young man using digital tablet in his living room

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2 / 10

Take Breaks to Stretch Your Legs

“I don’t work from home often, as it reminds me too much of studying for university exams. When I do work from home, I find that having laundry on the go is a big help. It makes me feel like I am multitasking and the cycle of moving clothes through washing to drying gives me the perfect amount of time to take breaks to stretch my legs and give my mind a break.” – Frank P., producer, HGTV Canada

HGTV Canada

3 / 10

Make Time for Creative Timeouts

“I don’t have any secrets per se, but being able to lounge on my couch with a tea close at hand while wearing my sweatpants is all I need to have a successful workday at home. A nice bonus is being able to take a creative timeout with a brief yoga session on YouTube. It helps to get the juices flowing if I’m at a bit of a standstill with work.” – Laura G., assistant editor, HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada

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4 / 10

Work in an Inspiring Space

“I’m fortunate enough to have a lovely front porch, so I cozy up on my favourite rocking chair (spray painted pastel pink, because aesthetically pleasing spaces help me work better) with a cup of coffee and enjoy the sounds of my west end neighbourhood as I tap away!” – Lydia H., producer, Food Network Canada

Woman chopping vegetables on kitchen counter

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5 / 10

Instead of a Coffee Break, Take a Chore Break

“One of the biggest luxuries about working from home is getting to catch up on a few chores while you work. I usually pop some laundry in first thing and set the dishwasher running. Also, just being able to take a 15-minute break in the afternoon to get dinner prepped means I can start cooking at 5PM instead of 7PM.” – Jenny P., digital strategist, Slice and History

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6 / 10

Use Natural Light and Sweet Sounds to Your Advantage

“After the coffee is brewed and the beagle is walked, we head into the music room, throw on a dad-rock playlist and enjoy the natural light available there (we live in a loft). Depending on the tasks, work will get done at the dining room table or from the sofa – using the Chinese marriage chest as a desk. I don’t need order, anything organized or my space pristine to work – you really can’t have nice things when you live with animals (we have a cat and a dog). The key to productivity is having an outlet in reasonable proximity (or to make sure the hardware is charged), the coffee made, the pup satisfied and having the right playlist that will offer a sweet soundtrack to this version of 9 to 5.” – Chloe T., editor, Slice

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7 / 10

Find Some Cat Company

“I’m not an early riser, so I have no inspirational speech about getting up early and tackling the day. Skipping my long commute means I get to squeeze in as much sleep as I possibly can before getting up and making some fresh coffee. My PJs make me feel less productive, so I’ll switch into something I can relax in like leggings and a T-shirt. My room is pretty much my own little sanctuary, with lots of natural light pouring into the window and plants and candles to make me feel at ease. Alexa is nearby so I can boss her around all day to play my favourite songs based on my mood: I usually start with acoustic melodies and move into more upbeat songs as the day goes on. My overflow of pillows and blankets keep me comfortable and is so inviting that my cat will join me and keep me company for the whole workday. Now, if I could only get him to stop walking across my laptop, that would be nice…” – Tracey M., producer, Slice

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8 / 10

Be Active

“We live in a split-level condo, but our space is quite tight, so we have an open-concept kitchen and living room. I find I work best seated at the table, where I have a lot of natural light and am better able to focus. I often wrap myself up in warm, cozy blankets, particularly in the colder winter months and always have a warm cup of tea or coffee nearby. I love the sense of being both productive and working from the comfort of my home. That said, if I know I’ll be spending long stretches of time sitting down – which is what happens when I’m working from home – I try to squeeze in a run first thing in the morning, followed up with a healthy-but-hearty-breakfast to help me keep focused and energized throughout the day. Because I’m an early riser and love the sense of accomplishment that comes with front-loading the wee hours of the day, that often means getting up just before 5AM. Those early hours bring an energy to the day that helps me tackle my to-do’s.” – Dragana K., assistant editor, Slice, History and Shaw Connect

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9 / 10

Manage the Kiddos

“If I want to effectively work from home, I have to make sure my kids aren’t at home as well! If the kids are not feeling well and I have to work from home to stay with them, we usually start the morning out by making a pact that they will let mama get work done. Then I will organize many different activities for them to do. Although an excessive amount of screen time for young kids is not preferred, we do end up sneaking in a movie on Netflix. Or two. Once the situation with the kiddos is under control, I generally sit at my dining table, as it’s the only spot in my home with the most natural light. And it’s the best spot in the house when I can work on my laptop, have my coffee beside me and monitor the kids (if they’re home with me).” – Heather M., producer, History

Laptop on coffee table in a modern living room of an old country house

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10 / 10

Keep it Clean

“Before I do ANYTHING, my house needs to be perfectly clean and organized, otherwise I can’t focus and I procrastinate by cleaning. With a clean house, I set up at my dining table where I have a big bright window and flowers to keep my mood lifted and calm. Working from home feels like a perk, so I really try to maximize those days: I keep a nice candle burning, I try to open a window for fresh air and I enjoy homemade snacks through the day.” – Mia S., former digital strategist, HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada