According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of June 2025, nearly 1 in 5 Americans (22%) are still working from home at least part of the time1.
Whether you're working from home full-time or just a few days a week, your home office environment plays a huge role in how productive (and comfortable) your day is. But beyond a good chair and a second monitor, have you thought about how your home office feels – temperature, lighting, and air quality included?
Creating a smarter home office doesn’t have to mean overhauling your entire space. With just a few strategic smart devices, you can build a workspace that automatically supports your focus, well-being, and energy efficiency. Here are some ideas on how to get started:
1. Find Your Comfort Zone (and Stay in It)
Productivity thrives in comfort. A too hot, too cold, or too humid environment is a recipe for distraction.
Swidget temperature and humidity sensors track your environment in real time. Paired with a smart thermostat or ventilation system, you can automate your space to stay within your comfort sweet spot all day long. That means no more sweating through meetings or bundling up between calls.
🛠 Try this: Set your thermostat to adjust automatically when your office hits 24°C or above, or when humidity spikes beyond 60%.
2. Light That Works With You – Not Against You
Lighting affects everything from your mood, to your sleep, to your ability to stay focused. Too much blue light late in the day can throw off your circadian rhythm, while poor lighting during meetings can cause eye strain and fatigue.
With Swidget’s smartphone app, you can automate your smart lighting accordingly. Dim the lights as the sun sets, or increase brightness during gloomy weather – without even thinking about it.
🛠 Try this: Set your smart bulbs to gradually dim in the evening hours to help you transition from “work mode” to “relax mode.”
3. Monitor Air Quality for Better Focus (and Health)
Indoor air quality isn’t just a concern for allergy season. Poor air quality can lead to fatigue, headaches, and brain fog – none of which help you stay focused while working.
With Swidget’s air quality monitoring, you can keep an eye on factors like VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and carbon dioxide levels. Get notified when your air quality drops and automatically trigger ventilation or purification systems to keep your space fresh.
🛠 Try this: Connect your Swidget sensor to a ventilation fan or ERV system that automatically cycles the air in your home when air quality levels drop below a certain threshold.
4. Automate Your Routine for Less Decision Fatigue
The beauty of a smart home office isn’t just in tracking – it’s in automating the things you don’t want to think about. With Swidget’s modular platform, your outlets and switches become hubs for sensors, so you can control your office environment from one place and create routines that align with your work habits.
🛠 Try this: Create a “workday” schedule and set your lights to turn on and fan to start running by 8AM!
Small Changes, Big Impact
Upgrading your home office doesn’t have to mean major renovations. Just a few smart tweaks like adding a Swidget outlet, switch, and a few sensors can help you create a workspace that works with you. And when your environment supports your comfort and focus, getting through the workday feels a whole lot easier.
💡 Ready to create a smarter home office? Explore our devices and sensors and start building a more comfortable, productive space today.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey. https://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea41.htm
