If your current home office or small-business workspace is less-than-inspiring, it may be time for a makeover. Working Mother visited the Google New York City offices, known for innovative and fun design, and took away some workspace ideas and strategies that can help you increase productivity and creative thinking. 

Stand up. Sitting at your desk all day can leave your body feeling stiff and sluggish. At the Google offices, employees have the option of using standing desks. “Most Googlers who use them say that, in addition to health benefits, they feel more energetic and confident when they stand while working,” says Chrissy Persico, a working mom of two and the consumer media manager for Google. Prefer to try it out before you shell out cash for a standing desk? “You can easily do this at home by working at the kitchen island or finding another spot in your home that’s just the right height,” Persico says. 

Keep moving. Many moms who work at home stay in their office all day. While this can help you get into work mode faster and maintain continuity, sometimes a change of scenery can spark your creativity. At Google, employees can choose to work in a variety of different spaces, including cafes and kitchen areas. “Employees at Google are encouraged to move around and not sit in an office behind closed doors all day. This can lead to brainstorming, new ideas and inspiration,” says Persico, who enjoys meeting colleagues at Google's microkitchens for a change of pace. “Whenever I hit a wall, I get up and try working somewhere else, and I find I have renewed energy to work through my problem.” Working moms can incorporate this idea by setting up more parts of their home to be conducive to work. For example, try to have a section of your living room and/or kitchen available and tidy to make space for your laptop or other papers when you opt for a change of scene. 

Be mindful about food. Stress eating can be difficult to avoid when working at home, especially since food is usually just steps away. Google offices are designed to encourage good choices by keeping healthy snacks in sight and accessible and unhealthy options hidden. For example, candy is concealed in opaque containers, while healthy snacks are in clear containers. Try this at home by keeping veggies or fruit in plain sight as a reminder to make better food choices. In addition, Google employees are given smaller plates to prevent over-indulging—a smaller plate can trick your brain into thinking you're getting more food than you actually are.

Remedy midday slump. In the middle of a busy workday, taking a break and engaging in non-work-related activity can help us feel more productive and less stressed. At Google, employees have a Lego-themed microkitchen with Lego pieces they can play with. While we don't encourage you to play with your children's toys, we do suggest you try an activity that’s challenging and fun, such as playing Sudoku or doing a crossword puzzle, for an extra mental boost. Taking a brisk walk in fresh air is always helpful, too.