Working from home can be a blessing and a curse. Whether you’re a full-time freelancer or an occasional telecommuter, having a home office that inspires productivity is an absolute must. One of the problems telecommuters run into is being distracted by the many things that make their home feel comfortable— even down to getting too cozy in a reclining chair. The reality of working from home is that it is easy to fall prey to distraction. Between snack breaks, folding fresh laundry or letting the dog out, time seems to slip away when those random interruptions start slowing you down. As most remote jobs rely on task completion, distractions actively cost you money! Take control of your schedule and workload by giving your home office a facelift. Turn your home office into a space of blossoming productivity by following these 7 tips.

7. Remove all distractions

As much as we’d like to think that we can put our phones away and be okay without them for more than an hour, the reality is that we absolutely love being constantly plugged in. If you find yourself taking frequent peeks at your phone or reaching for it every single time you get a notification, consider removing it from the room completely. Each time your phone lights up, you’re pulled away from your work— totally losing focus and likely losing your train of thought. Save yourself the stress of trying backtrack by leaving your phone in another room. If you’re feeling burnt out, the best way to find motivation again is to take a short break! Your body and mind will thank you for it.

6. Go minimalist

No one likes a barren cubicle, but sometimes the emptiness helps keep your focus on your daily workload. Going minimalist with your home office may have the same effect! Tone down the aesthetics of your office by minimizing the number of photos, screens, plants, folders, and other irrelevant space hogs. Having a clean deskspace gives you no other option than to keep your hands on the keyboard and eyes on the screen.

5. Create soothing soundscapes

Sometimes the low hum of an office environment serves as soothing white noise for regular nine to five workers. Working at home can mean working in complete silence or your choice of Spotify playlists. Creating your own soundscape could be careful playlist curation, or it could mean finding a rain sounds station on Pandora. Sometimes listening to our favorite songs can lead to us wanting to sing and dance along, so make sure your soundscape is one that will boost your productivity and stimulate your mind in a constructive way.

4. Declutter weekly

It’s only natural for your high traffic rooms to accumulate clutter. Your home office will fall subject to scattered paperwork and a random aggregation of coffee mugs and sticky notes. Though it may be unrealistic to schedule daily office clean ups, it will serve some serious good if you establish weekly office declutter sessions to keep your workspace clean and ready for action.

3. Upgrade your tech

One of the biggest problems home office veterans face is the slowing down of their home tech. Whether it’s running out of RAM space on their PC or growing frustrated with an old printer, upgrading your home office technology could assist in increasing productivity. Mac’s latest line of desktop computers leads the industry in speed and power while HP’s instant ink printers take wireless printing to the next level. Even upgrading your office chair or desk can inspire change in your productivity. Try a standing desk if you find sitting for hours on end to be too uncomfortable for your work style.

2. Embrace natural lighting

Regardless of what schools and offices may present, fluorescent lights are not your friend. Luckily in the comfort of your own home office, you are able to modify the light sources in your space. Even though you are likely confined to working indoors, taking advantage of natural lighting through windows can bring a streak of inspiration into your office space.

1. Use your walls

Instead of cluttering your desk space with post-it notes, photos, and planners, use your wall space to organize your thoughts. Post-it’s stick just as easily to a wall as they do to your desk, but serve as reminders rather than reachable distractions. Use a hanging wall calendar to keep your eyes on the prize and keep your time management in order.

Working from home has its perks, and when organized and utilized the right way, your home office can be the most productive and motivating space in your home!