Feeling Stuck? 7 Signs Your Home Office Isn’t Working Anymore

Working from home has become an integral part of many people’s lives. From entrepreneurs to business owners, it has taken flexibility and creativity to new heights. Despite the benefits of WFH life (no commute, comfy clothes, independence, etc), the remote setup isn’t always as ideal as it seems. From tech troubles to blurred boundaries, the challenges can pile up, making it harder to stay productive, comfortable, and even motivated.

If your home office is starting to feel more like a trap than a perk, you’re not alone. Here are seven signs your remote setup might be holding you back—and what you can do about it:

1. Your House Doesn’t Feel Like Home

Before society’s transition to virtual work, home was considered most people’s safe space – the place they couldn’t wait to return to after a long day at the office. Unfortunately, that has significantly changed with the rise of remote culture. 

Although conducting business from home can seem like the relaxing option, it doesn’t take long for the “working in your pjs” appeal to wear off. When your living room becomes your office and your kitchen table becomes your conference room, it’s hard to relax. 

If your house no longer feels like a place to recharge, it’s time to make a change. Your home should be your personal space – don’t let work move in.

2. Smooth Meetings are Impossible

For some, remote days mean complete independence - your own schedule, your own pace. For others, the demands of being “in office” follow you home, no matter where you set up.

If you're in the latter group, meetings are probably an unavoidable (and often frustrating) part of your day.

If you find yourself dreading Zoom, Teams, or even phone calls, ask yourself why. Is your internet cutting out? Is your microphone failing you? Is your dog barking in the background—again? 

To maintain the flexibility of remote work without the chaos of at-home interruptions derailing your conversations, you can grab a day pass to a coworking space like WorkSmart. On days when meetings are unavoidable, WorkSmart provides a quiet, reliable environment free from unexpected disruptions so you can focus on the conversation instead of battling tech issues and background noise.

3. You Can’t Unplug

If your work days feel longer since going remote, you’re not imagining it. Many business owners and entrepreneurs report that working from home has blurred the line between professional and personal life, turning workdays into work nights.

Without clear boundaries, it’s easy to check a few emails before bed or wrap up a spreadsheet during dinner. While these habits may seem productive, they can quickly become overwhelming.

If you're slipping into this cycle, try setting boundaries: no laptop after 5 p.m., or a location change a couple of days each week. Small changes like these can help you reclaim your schedule—and your sanity.

4. Physical Discomfort is Your New Norm

Whether you’re new to working from home or on your fifth office overhaul, you’ve likely faced the physical toll of a subpar setup. From unsupportive chairs to poorly placed monitors, even small ergonomic issues can cause big problems.

If you’re dealing with headaches, wrist pain, or backaches, don’t immediately blame your sleep or gym routine—take a look at your workspace.

A study from the National Library of Medicine found that 61.2% of homeworkers reported experiencing Musculoskeletal Discomfort (MSD) while working from home. There are various factors contributing to this high statistic, from poor monitor placement and lack of ergonomic furniture to extended hours in front of a screen. 

Most of these issues stem from home setups not designed for long-term work. The good news? You can improve things with ergonomic upgrades—or skip the guesswork altogether by working in a coworking space already optimized for comfort.

5. Chores are Calling Your Name

As satisfying as it may be to check off your chores list, let’s face it – it shouldn’t be done on the clock. 

According to a recent poll by SurveyMonkey, nearly 50% of remote workers reported multitasking with household chores while on the job, and that’s just those who admitted it. 

Although multitasking can provide a sense of productivity, it could be severely impacting your work efficiency. If you just can’t help yourself from finishing that last load of laundry or unloading the dishwasher, it could be a sign that your work-from-home life isn’t as effective as you thought it was.

6. Your Tech Setup Is Costing You Business

Every minute spent waiting on a slow device or wrestling with glitchy software is a missed opportunity. When your tech setup drags, so does your ability to respond to clients, close deals, or deliver on time.

From dropped video calls to sluggish file access, these everyday tech frustrations don’t just kill productivity, they create bottlenecks that can cost you revenue and damage your professional reputation.

As a business owner, you can’t afford a remote setup that slows daily operations and causes delays. Upgrading your environment can make all the difference. Many coworking spaces offer enterprise-grade internet, reliable hardware, and on-site tech support, helping you stay responsive, efficient, and ready for business.

7. You Can’t Get Ahead

Let’s be real, working from home makes it incredibly easy to procrastinate. There’s no team energy, no manager checking in, and no pressure to stay on task. For solopreneurs especially, the lack of built-in accountability can turn a quick social media scroll into an hour lost and a to-do list that’s still untouched by noon.

When you’re the only one responsible for keeping yourself on track, it’s easy to mistake being busy for being productive. Without structure, progress can stall and goals can get delayed, making it impossible to get ahead. 

If you're struggling to stay on track at home, you can rethink your routine or even your environment. Surrounding yourself with other driven professionals - even if they’re working on their own businesses - can create a shared sense of purpose and a subtle layer of accountability that helps keep you moving forward.

Get Unstuck With WorkSmart

If your home office setup is holding you back, it’s time for you to make a change.

WorkSmart Coworking and Meeting Space in the heart of downtown Glens Falls offers flexible, comfortable office space and coworking spaces designed to boost focus, eliminate distractions, and help you get back on track.

Come try out our Private Offices to maximize your efficiency and reclaim your work potential!