Create a Cozy and Practical Kitchen Work Space: 7 Quick Tips

As a work-from-home girlie, I’ve worked everywhere you can imagine in the house: the floor, the sofa, the kitchen counter. Most notably, I recently had a tv tray table set up in the living room as my workstation. Most of these places work, but they’re less than ideal. But you know what, working from places like the kitchen table doesn’t mean you can’t be productive and cozy! Here’s some tips to help you elevate your less-than-ideal workspace (perhaps the kitchen table) to help you feel comfy and get more done!

1. Designate a Clear Workspace

Your workspace (especially if it’s the kitchen table) might be a multi-functional area. But when you work from home, it’s super important to claim a space as your own. This helps with focus and staying organized.

💡Tip: Try separating your work zone from the rest of the area. Use a placemat or desk mat to create the area that is your “work-zone”. Bring the items you need to that area (think notebooks, pens, planners, a small laptop stand, etc). You may even want to bring a small personal item to the space to showcase to yourself (and your family) that this space is yours.

2. Invest in a Comfortable Chair

When you work from home, you’re gonna be in your “work seat” for a lot of time. You’ve got stuff to get done, after all. So, it’s important that it’s comfortable and supportive.

When I was working from my tv tray table in the living room, I worked on the sofa. Sofas are comfy, but not supportive long term, so I invested in a supportive back pillow to help.

💡Tip: If your kitchen chairs (or other seats) aren’t ergonomic, consider using a cushion or adding a back support pillow for extra comfort. If space allows, a small, comfortable office chair can be a great option.

3. Keep It Organized with Simple Storage

One major challenge I’ve found working in these less-than-ideal spaces (especially the kitchen table) is clutter. Everything piles up and gets in the way fast. So, it’s super important to find ways to organize your things so you don’t become overwhelmed.

💡Tip: Use small, stylish storage solutions like baskets or drawer organizers to keep your work supplies organized and out of sight when not in use.

4. Add Personal Touches

Remember when I talked earlier about making your workspace your own? I said you might want to bring a small personal item with you. This might seem small, but it’s genuinely super important!

If your workspace feels generic (if you think you just walked into an IKEA home office section — or worse, an IKEA kitchen area!) then you’re not gonna feel super motivated to get stuff done. This is why we make our space our own. Feeling cozy will help you stay in the zone.

💡Tip: A small plant, a favorite mug, or a framed photo can help create a cozy atmosphere. These little items will make your workspace feel more inviting and motivate you to stay focused.

5. Use Good Lighting

Let’s be honest, kitchen lighting (and most ceiling lights) are bright. They’re meant to light the whole space. They are NOT cozy. They’re also not natural.

I almost never turn on overhead lights, except in the kitchen or bathroom. Every other space in my home has lamps. Why? Because I work from everywhere in my home and I want it to be conducive to what I want to do.

💡Tip: When you work from home, you want to feel comfortable. We stare are bright screens all day. So, try to bring warmer, softer light into your space. Or, try to bring more natural and adjustable light in (whichever is more comfy for you).

6. Add Comfort with Soft Textiles

Kitchen tables, sofas, recliners etc were not made for work. But we work with what we’ve got, right? Sometimes we can’t have a dedicated office, and that’s okay.

But the problem here is that these spaces sometimes have harsher elements that aren’t comfy or cozy. Well, sometimes a sofa can be cozy, but not in the work-sense. This is why we bring in soft elements. Things to make us comfortable as we work.

💡Tip: Bring a cozy blanket or cushion for your chair. Or buy a small soft area rug that you can quickly roll out every time you sit down to work. We’re not working from cubicles, friends! We are work-from-home rockstars. We get to do this in comfort, okay?

7. Minimize Distractions

Unless you’re living alone, your home is probably full of distractions. Kids, family members, pets, the delivery person. It can be so dang hard to focus. So, when you work from the kitchen table (or other not-so-ideal space), it is important to *set boundaries.*

Let your family know that you’re working and you’d appreciate an hour or two to do so without being interrupted. Set a certain time to check the mail. Create a routine for your pets.

💡Tip: Bring headphones to your space to block out some of the noise, set your phone to airplane mode, and set timers to help you stay focused.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think a kitchen table workspace (or any of the other places listed in this blog post) is anyone’s first choice when they start working from home. We all aspire to that designated office space where we can shut the door and just get things done. But I promise, you can make any space work for you.

So, make it cozy and get productive friends!

What’s your favorite way to stay focused while working in shared spaces? Let me know in the comments below!