Working from Home Advice from

Award-winning Interior Design and Author, Joanne Palmisano

I have almost always worked from home in my career. For the last 20 years I have had a home office where I have created my books and run my interior design business and people are always asking me how I get so much done. Here are a few tips (and pitfalls to avoid).

First. Get dressed. I’m not saying you have to shower or even put make-up on. What I am saying is put on some jeans and shirt – never work in your P.J.s. I truly believe that has an adverse affect on your productivity.

Second. Don’t turn on the TV for background noise. It will suck you in. Maybe have on some soft music (not loud) but don’t let social media or other similar outlets distract you.  If you do listen to a podcast or something similar, listen to it while you force yourself to go for a 20 minute walk during the day.

Third. Stand up every 20 to 30 minutes (or if you're standing up at a stand up desk- stand properly). I am so bad at this. When I only had a desk that I could sit at, my hip would hurt so much, I couldn’t even stand straight when I got up from my chair. Now that I have a stand up desk (that goes up and down) I love it but I do find myself, leaning a bit and have started to notice twinges in my back. So stand or sit properly. When I was sitting, I would turn on the kitchen timer for 30 minutes and it would force me get up from my chair and go into the kitchen and turn it off and then head back to my desk.

Fourth. Give yourself some rules. If working from home is new to you. Give yourself some rules, you can only take 30 minutes for lunch (you can do social media or news then) and you must give yourself 20 minutes for a walk or stretch… ETC.

Fifth. Be Kind. When you're with people they can see your facial reactions, get your dry sense of humor and see if you like an idea or not. Be careful with your emails and CORRESPONDENCE – does it sound friendly? Think about how someone may react. Face time is a beautiful thing (this may force you to shower and do your hair). Say hello and have meetings with folks, let’s stay connected, it is a great way to continue to stay positive during this anxiety filled time.

Sixth. Write down your list of projects you want to accomplish by the end of the week. I know it may sound silly, but sometimes when working from home, it is easier to procrastinate on a project you don’t want to do – but having that list forces you to cross it off, whether you want to do it or not.

Here are some pitfalls I continue to fall into…

I work all the time… weekends, evenings, and early morning. I love what I do, so I find myself taking client calls on weekends, creating drawings late at night, and writing early in the morning before the birds even wake up. (Our daughter is in college, so we are empty-nesters.) I’m Not recommending you do this — so avoid it if you can — but I’m not going to condone it Because I feel better about taking a quick nap — if i’ve worked extra hours that week. :)

The kitchen… has so many opportunities for making cookies, an extra cup of coffee, (and I’m sure I saw a bag of chips in the pantry). Stay strong. And continue to eat healthy and allow yourself only one small snack or treat a day (Girl Scout cookie time!).

I have Horizontalitis… It is the disease of putting all my work all over the house’s horizontal surfaces. As a designer, I have fabric samples, flooring samples, have finished DIY samples to show a client, drawings, specification sheets, half finished cups of coffee… I mean, I’m worse than a teenager. do not follow my lead, keep your office materials contained to one area – preferable an area where you can shut the door and forget about it till the next day.

Good Luck and Continue to Find the Opportunities and Not the Fear.

Virtual Hugs and Kisses,

Joanne Palmisano

Joanne Palmisano is the author of Salvage Secrets, Salvage Secrets Design & Décor and Styling with Salvage. Her latest book, just released, is Rock Your Rental, coauthored with her twin sister, marketing expert, Rosanne Palmisano.

BEFORE AND AFTER of a vacation rental front door. We changed this space to create an actual mudroom and a desk area for guest’s to set up their computer. A simple change in the door’s location created two additional useful spaces.