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I’ve been working from home pretty much full-time since the COVID outbreak. Like a lot of people, what started as a temporary setup quickly became the new normal. These days, I rarely go into the office — and honestly, I prefer it this way.
But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. When your workspace is your home, the lines blur fast. So over time, I’ve figured out a setup that genuinely works — physically, mentally, and practically. Here’s what’s helped.
My Garden Office: A Bit of a Game Changer
A while back, I invested in the Dominator Classic garden office from Dunster House. Insulated, wired up, and kitted out with a proper desk — it’s been an absolute game changer.
I leave the house (kind of), close the door, and it’s like my brain switches into work mode. It doesn’t have to be huge. Just separate.
If you’ve got the space or can make the space, even a converted shed is a big step up from juggling meetings at the kitchen table.
Standing Desk + Pomodoro = Not Feeling Like a Pile of Bricks
Sitting all day is brutal. I use a standing desk and switch positions throughout the day, which helps a ton. But the real trick for me is using the Pomodoro technique.
If you haven’t tried it, check out Pomofocus.io — it’s a simple, free timer that runs 25-minute work sprints followed by breaks. It’s helped me stay focused without frying my brain.
Tools I Actually Use
I’ve tried loads of systems over the years, but these days I keep it simple:
A handwritten list of priorities
Google Calendar for the non-negotiables
Pomofocus running in the background
A post-it that says “just start”
Not every day feels productive — but the routine makes it easier to show up.
Good Work Isn’t Enough If No One Sees It
One of the biggest challenges of working from home — especially if you run your own business — is visibility.
You can do brilliant work in your back garden office, but if no one knows you exist, it doesn’t help much.
That’s part of why I built QR2U — to help small and home-based businesses get seen in their local area. It’s not about chasing clicks. Just a way to show up in the places people already are.
Here’s what we’re about if you're curious.
Final Thoughts
A good small office home office setup isn’t about trendy gear or Pinterest-perfect desks. It’s about making your space work for you — so you can actually do your job without wrecking your focus, your back, or your sanity.
I’ve worked this way for years now. It’s not always easy, but with a few intentional choices, it is manageable — and in many ways, better.
Layout Tips That Actually Work in Small Spaces
Not everyone has space for a full garden office — and that’s fine. Here are a few things that made a difference before I had mine:
L-shaped desk in the corner: You’d be surprised how much surface area you get with a basic one from IKEA.
Use vertical space: Pegboards, shelves, wall-mounted lighting — anything to keep your desk clear.
Hide the chaos: Baskets and drawers for cables, papers, and the rest of it. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.
🔧 Pro tip: Even if you can only claim 1.5m² of floor space, owning it makes a massive mental shift.
Health, Habits, and Not Burning Out at Home
The downside of working from home is that you never really leave. That can creep up on you if you're not careful. Here’s what’s helped me personally:
Standing breaks every hour — even just a stretch
Actual lunch breaks — not at your desk
Getting outside — sounds obvious, but 10 minutes of fresh air resets everything
Having a wind-down routine — I walk the dog or go for a short drive after work to “fake” a commute
Working from home doesn’t mean working all the time. It’s OK to protect your energy.
Quick Gear Checklist (No Hype, Just What Works)
If you're setting up or upgrading your space, here’s what I’ve found worth the money:
✅ Standing desk (even a manual one)
✅ Decent chair (support matters)
✅ External monitor (more screen = less alt-tabbing = less stress)
✅ Noise-cancelling headphones (if you share your space)
✅ Pomodoro timer (Pomofocus.io is all you need)
✅ Good light (natural if possible, warm if not)
That’s the core. Everything else is a bonus.
Wrapping Up (for Real This Time)
If you're working from home, you're not alone — and you're not doing it wrong just because your office is a converted shed or a corner of the bedroom.
Start small, tweak what you can, and remember: your small office home office setup doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to help you do the work you care about.