9 Remote Working Tips to Find a Work-Life Balance in a Small Apartment

Remote work has completely flipped the idea of what an “office” should look like. That corner desk in a sleek corporate tower? It’s been replaced by the kitchen table, the couch, or—to tell the truth—a strategic spot at the edge of the bed where the Wi-Fi signal is strongest. Sure, working from home has its perks (no commute, flexible hours, and the freedom to work in your pajamas), but let’s not pretend it’s all dreamy vibes and productivity playlists—especially if you’re living in a small apartment.

When your entire home is just a few hundred square feet, separating your work life from your personal life can feel next to impossible. Suddenly, your dinner table is your desk, your couch is your Zoom background, and your inbox is the third wheel during movie night. The line between “on duty” and “off duty” becomes a blur—and not the artistic kind.

But here’s the good news: even in the coziest of spaces, you can bring back some boundaries, reclaim your evenings, and make work-from-home feel a little more like… home. In this article, we’re sharing 9 space-smart, sanity-saving tips to help you untangle work life from real life. From clever layout tricks to mindset shifts that don’t require a therapist, we’ll help you create a setup that keeps your productivity high—and your laptop closed by 6 p.m. (or at least, most days).

Tip 1. Designate a specific work area

Sure, you might not have the luxury of a dedicated home office in a small apartment—but that doesn’t mean your work has to take over your entire living space. In fact, having a consistent work spot, even if it’s just a tiny corner of your living room, can do wonders for getting your brain into gear.

Pick a go-to location for your “desk”—maybe it’s that sunny spot by the window, a quiet corner near the bookshelf, or even a shelf you MacGyvered into a standing desk. Natural light? Bonus points. It boosts your mood and makes your Zoom glow-up that much easier.

Keep your work essentials—laptop, notebook, charger, headphones—in one place so you’re not chasing your setup around the apartment. It’s less about the square footage and more about sending your brain a signal: when I’m here, I’m working. When I leave this spot, I’m not checking Slack for the next three hours. (In theory, at least.)

Tip 2. Establish clear work hours

The freedom to work in your PJs is great—until it turns into always working in your PJs. Without a commute or nosy coworkers glancing at the clock, it’s way too easy to slide into “just one more email” territory until your evening has quietly disappeared.

Set yourself some real-deal work hours—and honor them like a sacred ritual. Start and stop at consistent times, and use whatever tools help you stick to the plan: calendar reminders, alarms, or a loud, judgmental pet who expects dinner on time.

And yes, the urge to check your inbox at midnight or sneak in a task before brushing your teeth is strong. But trust us—drawing that line is what keeps remote work from taking over your life. You’ll get more done during work hours and get to enjoy your off-hours without your laptop guilt-staring at you from the couch.

Tip 3. Use room dividers to separate out your workspace

When your living room is your dining room is your bedroom is your office… well, you get the idea—things can get messy fast. That’s where room dividers step in as the unsung heroes of small-space remote work life. They don’t just make your place look Pinterest-worthy—they also help carve out some much-needed mental (and visual) boundaries.

Behind the divider? You’re a focused, productivity machine. Step out? Back to chill mode. And if you’re sharing your space with roommates, a partner, or curious pets, a divider also says: “I’m in work mode—enter at your own risk.”

And the best part is you’ve got options. Go for folding screens if you want something easy to stash. Use open bookshelves to double as storage and separation. Hang up some curtains or line up tall leafy plants if you’re feeling a little boho zen. If modern, bold is your vibe, then consider dividers like this Abstract Modern Room Divider or this Affluent Flow Room Divider. When you want to add some noise insulation to the work mode mix, acoustic room dividers like this SoundSorb 360 Folding Acoustical Partition or this VersiPanel Acoustical Partition will help keep the noise—and distractions—at bay.

Tip 4: Create daily rituals to start and end work

Working from home means you technically can roll out of bed and straight into a Zoom call—but should you? (Spoiler: probably not.) Without a commute or clear physical boundaries, it’s super easy for your day to turn into one long, hazy blur of “Am I working? Am I not? What time is it?” That’s where daily rituals can make a huge difference. These tiny habits act like mental bookends for your day.

Kick things off with something consistent and calming: your morning coffee while you glance at your to-do list, a quick stretch, lighting a candle at your desk—whatever helps flip the mental switch to “let’s do this.” It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It just has to be yours.

And when the workday’s done? Close the laptop, clear your desk, and maybe go for a short walk to simulate that “leaving the office” energy. Even swapping your outfit can help signal that you're now off-duty. These habits might seem small, but over time, they create strong boundaries that support your work-life balance and make your day feel more structured—even in the smallest of spaces.

Tip 5: Install temporary walls for privacy and focus

If room dividers help create visual boundaries, temporary modular walls take things a step further by offering more privacy and focus— total game-changer if you’re living with other humans (or pets who believe your keyboard is their personal runway.

The great thing about these modular wall systems is that they’re 100% renter-approved—they’re technically furniture. No landlords shaking their heads. No drywall drama. Just a clean, designated space to buckle down and actually get work done without your kitchen counter doubling as your cubicle.

Take this L-Shaped Partition Room Divider, for example—it’s sleek, practical, and takes less time to set up than figuring out your IKEA hex key situation. A couple of basic tools, and boom: instant office. Plus, let’s not forget about the sleek finish—perfect on camera, giving you a Zoom-ready backdrop without the hassle of rearranging your space.

And if just a divider doesn’t cut it (especially when you’ve got nosy pets and housemates who just can’t draw the line), a solid boundary will. Temporary walls with doors like this Mounted Straight Partition Wall with Swing Door or this Mounted L-Shaped Partition Wall with Swing Door give you a real-deal office feel, even in the middle of your open-plan apartment. When you’re done for the day, just close the door—physically and mentally—and walk away like the boss you are.

Tip 6: Embrace multi-functional furniture

In a small apartment, furniture can’t just look pretty—it’s got to pull its weight. Ideally, every piece should have a side hustle. A fold-away desk that moonlights as a dining table? Perfect. A wall-mounted shelf that doubles as your Zoom background and storage? Even better. And a rolling cart with your office supplies that’s portable command center by day and quietly parked in a closet or corner by night? That’s how you need to roll.

The goal? Keep your home feeling like a home—not a 24/7 coworking space. When your work tools have a designated “off-duty” spot, it’s easier to mentally unplug and enjoy your off hours without staring at a pile of unfinished tasks.

Tip 7: Prioritize breaks and movement

Honestly, spending eight hours hunched over your laptop in a space the size of a large shoebox can make you feel like a particularly overworked houseplant. That’s why movement isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Set a timer to nudge yourself up every hour or so. Do a few stretches, take a quick stroll around the block, or do a 5-minute yoga session between tasks. Even just changing locations—moving from your desk to the floor, or swapping your chair for a cushion—can help shake things up and reset your focus.

These micro-breaks aren’t just good for your body; they’re lifesavers for your brain, especially when the walls start closing in. Plus, a little movement throughout the day boosts your energy, improves your mood, and reminds you that yes, the world does exist outside your four walls—and your Slack notifications.

Tip 8: Separate digital work and personal life

When your workspace and living space overlap, the only true boundary left might be digital—and that makes setting tech limits even more important. Start by separating your digital lives: one browser (or better yet, one device) for work, and another for personal stuff. That way, your YouTube recommendations aren’t forever haunted by spreadsheets and analytics. Set up “Do Not Disturb” hours on your phone, mute work apps after-hours, and resist the siren call of checking Slack at 10 p.m. (Nothing good ever comes from it. Trust us.)

Creating a clean break between work-you and home-you ensures that even if you physically can’t walk away from your “office,” you can still mentally clock out. It's the modern version of leaving your work at the door—except the door is now your screen.

Tip 9: Make time for non-work joy

When your living space becomes your everything space, fun can get quietly pushed to the back burner. Days blur. Hobbies fade. And before you know it, “relaxing” means doom-scrolling with one eye on your inbox. That’s why you need to be just as intentional about joy as you are about deadlines. Block off time in your calendar for things that recharge you—whether it's reading, painting, gaming, cooking, dancing, or catching up with friends. Whatever lights you up, make space for it on purpose.

Unplugging doesn’t just protect your work-life balance—it helps preserve your creativity, emotional health, and overall happiness. Because when you fill your life with things you love, work feels less like your entire world and more like just part of a rich, full one.

Small Space, Big Balance

Remote work in a small apartment isn’t always glamorous—there are no corner offices or espresso on tap. But with the right mix of boundaries, creative setups, and intentional habits, you can turn even the tiniest space into a haven of productivity and peace.

Remember, balance doesn’t mean perfection. It just means giving both work and life their own lane—even if those lanes are three feet apart. When your home starts to support both who you are at work and off the clock, you’ve officially cracked the code. Pajamas optional.

Need help picking out the perfect temporary wall or room divider to add that work-life balance to your small apartment? We can help! Our team of space design experts will assess your space to suggest just what you need to make the most of your square footage. Reach out to us to start that discussion right away!