How do you get to work in a studio apartment?

September 30, 2014 5:35 PM

I've got a 480 square foot studio. The layout's fine, and I've got a desk and kitchen table to use, but I never want to do that, actually I don't feel like working at all when I'm home. How can I set things up so I will?

(I don't want to work from my couch or bed, either -- I seem to just sink into non-work activities on those.)

I thought about getting a half-screen, maybe, by the desk, but I hate the idea of cutting up the space -- I think it just wouldn't feel or look good, and I'm sorry to say that this matters to me.

Coffee shops are distracting, and I hate libraries, though, so I've got to find a way to just sit and GTD in here. What's worked for you? Open to ideas around design or just mental tricks or anything, really, that's helped you.

posted by cotton dress sock to Home & Garden (12 answers total)

Best answer: I also live in a studio apartment and have turned my kitchen area into 100% Work Zone. While I do sometimes cook, and obviously there's food on hand, the kitchen is optimized as an office. By which I mean a space that I'm actually willing to work in.

Figure out why you don't like working in the parts of your apartment that are good for working, and turn them into spaces you'd like to work in.

FWIW I work on a laptop, so a stationary screen "cutting up" the room isn't an issue.
posted by Sara C. at 5:40 PM on September 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I feel your pain. My place is even tinier (240 sq feet!) and sometimes I just have to get out. What helps me is starting the day by "walking to work," as silly as that sounds...I usually go out and walk to a cafe that's deliberately a little far away, and then when I get back, I feel like I've arrived at work. Plus I have a treat to drink or eat. I put in noise canceling headphones and start listening to music too, as another signal to myself that I'm getting started. I carved out a tiny corner of the apartment for a desk, but I end up working at my kitchen table, because I like the space better. I work in 25-minute chunks and let myself take breaks in between to go outside, which also helps (if your schedule allows for flexibility, I really recommend this).
posted by three_red_balloons at 5:42 PM on September 30, 2014 [5 favorites]

The trick is this: The space doesn't matter. There will always be a reason to not work, especially if you work from home. I have a dedicated office with two desks in a big L shape, perfect lighting, a great window to look out, a functional computer, a cat sleeping in the corner... and sometimes it's still really hard to work. Look, I'm on MetaFilter right now, and I am supposed to be "at work"!

The problem is a bit more global - you're thinking about the wrong dimension. Try (figuratively) gluing your butt to the chair, turning off your Internet using Freedom or RescueTime or something similar, and set a timer for 52 minutes. Do nothing except for work and nothing. If you can't work, just sit there and stare at your work. When the 52 minutes are up, stand up, go for a walk, get some water and a snack if you need it, use the bathroom, stretch, stay on your feet - for 17 minutes. And then sit down and work for another 52 minutes.

Those 52 minutes go by awfully slowly sometimes (and speed by at others) but it works. You will get more work done tomorrow if you do this than if you spend time making your work space better. I promise.

If 52 minutes seems like too much (It works well for me but may not for you; I chose it after I read an article that said 52 minutes of work followed by 17 minute breaks where you get up and do something is the most productive way to manage work time) try using a shorter amount of time, like the 25-minute Pomodoro technique - handy primer here.
posted by sockermom at 5:49 PM on September 30, 2014 [8 favorites]

Not what you're looking for, but you could try a coworking space in your city where you basically pay a small fee to be able to go there and use a desk and work. It's an office for people who are freelancers and independent contractors and don't have an office to work out of, basically.
posted by AppleTurnover at 6:27 PM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]

I have put my desk in my closet at least three times so far. Depending on the wiring and the shape, that may be more or less possible for you, but I've found that the enclosed space and lack of interesting view works better for me than anything else.
posted by restless_nomad at 6:55 PM on September 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I just realized I didn't actually tell you HOW I optimized my kitchen to be good for working:

- Comfortable and ergonomic work chair

- I'm a writer, so I use my fridge in lieu of a bulletin board for brainstorming and organizing my thoughts

- Space heater and a comfy rug underfoot

- Convenient access to tea and snacks

- Aforementioned laptop makes a great work computer at the kitchen table.
posted by Sara C. at 7:10 PM on September 30, 2014 [3 favorites]

Best answer: I'm working at home with 2 cats in about 425 square feet. When at my desk, my back is to the rest of the apartment, and that helps a lot. The desk is next to a 9x5 or so window, and that really helps a lot. There's a lot of noise in the building and outside the windows, though. I've always had a big floor plant to partially obscure the view of the desk from elsewhere in the room, er, apartment. Even with one (none at present) I still see the desk when I wake up in the morning. :-/
posted by jgirl at 7:11 PM on September 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: What helps me is to get up, get dressed, leave the house and come back and start working. I have to take my kids to school so that gets me out but if I didn't, a walk around the block or a trip to the coffee shop would work too. But getting dressed and putting shoes on is a must!

Also, if I end the day by creating a to-do list with the 3 things I really need to get done in the morning then I can start the day off by being productive right away rather than sitting around and reading email for 2 hours while I figure out what I need to do next.
posted by dawkins_7 at 8:49 PM on September 30, 2014 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks, guys! I'll try to make the kitchen table work better -- thanks for the concrete tips, Sara C., I'll use them all :)

I think leaving and coming back is brilliant as a cue, along with the other suggestions to divide time more cleanly, given I can't do it with space. Unfortunately, my closet isn't ideal for the sequestering method, although I can see how that would work, for sure.

(Sorry for the confusion, which I can well understand given my question; by 'screen' I meant 'room divider'. If I do wind up needing more separation, I think using a plant to do it instead is a lovely idea. A carpet will definitely help demarcate the space better, too.)

You're not wrong that there are other issues (currently under investigation), sockermom, and I appreciate your advice in that regard. Space is one of the hiccups, though.

jgirl -- I don't know if you really love your current desk, but what helps me unsee mine is that it's slight and the same white as the wall it's against, so it's a bit camouflaged (which may be part of the problem, I don't know). I think a glass desk or table could do the same sort of thing.

One day, I'm going to not be the Productivity 101 troll.
posted by cotton dress sock at 11:43 PM on September 30, 2014 [1 favorite]

I have heard someone suggest wearing a Work Hat. This hat must be put on before commencing work, and if you start dicking about on the internet then you must remove the Work Hat.
posted by emilyw at 2:14 AM on October 1, 2014 [4 favorites]

I know you said you don't want a screen, but if you feel you really need to create an enclosed space somehow, you could hang a sheer curtain and draw it closed during worktime, and then keep it open the rest of the time.
posted by vignettist at 8:30 AM on October 1, 2014 [1 favorite]

Coworking space if you can swing it. They're designed to solve all of the problems you're facing. Google your town/city plus coworking and go check some of them out. I worked from home every day for about a year going slowly crazy before joining one. Changed my working life.

However, if you can't do that for whatever reason: absolutely take a walk around the block before starting. I also found a work outfit helpful. For me it was wearing shoes that signaled that I was supposed to be productive.
posted by beep-bop-robot at 8:34 AM on October 1, 2014 [1 favorite]