Photography - Denise Braki. Styling - Sarah Cousens.

It's not hard to set up a work space at home, and it's even possible to make it both beautiful and practical. What can be hard is actually getting work done. When you're on your own and facing a number of possible distractions ranging from the tempting (the fridge, the garden) to the guilt-inducing (the children, the laundry), it pays to have a few strategies to keep you productive. We asked some home-based bloggers for their tips on working at home...

Emma Wood - stylem

Emma Wood is the editor and co-founder with her sister of stylem - an online magazine which mixes fashion, beauty, health and interiors to inspire happiness. She works from her home on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

She is realistic about the discipline required to work from home. "Working from home doesn't suit everyone, especially those who find it hard to stay motivated. Luckily I have my business partner and sister, Susan, working with me, so even when we're not sitting alongside each other, we're on Skype or the phone which makes it feels more like a working environment with someone to discuss tasks and bounce ideas off."

And the one thing she can't do without? "To do lists are essential – I don't know how people manage without them." Her tip is to prepare ahead. "Making lists the night before is the best way to do it so you start the day with a clear agenda in place; and having a dedicated office or work space at home with a great set-up is ideal for channelling the right energy and inspiration. I especially love mood boards and nice stationery. I also try and make as many external meetings and appointments on the same day where possible to cut down on travel time so I can maximise productivity when I am at home."

Follow Stylem on Instagram @__stylem__

Chris Carroll - The Life Creative

Chris Carroll is the stylist and soon-t0-be-author behind The Life Creative - a fun take on the world of styling and design. He has recently moved from Sydney to Melbourne, taking his home office essentials with him.

He recommends establishing a schedule for your day. "Ensure you're up, showered and at your desk at the same time every morning, and finish at the same time every day. Also give yourself a lunch break and get outside now and then."

"To-do lists are your friend. I find writing lists on paper makes them more 'real' and allows you to tick off tasks as you complete them. Write a daily to-do list every morning; it drives you and gives you direction and structure throughout the day."

And his fix to stay motivated? "Decorate your desk and the walls around it with inspiration decor. Anything that merges form and function is a great idea too, because it'll look great but also help to keep you on track and organised."

 Follow The Life Creative on Instagram @tlifecreative

Jen Bishop - Interiors Addict

Jen Bishop is the creator of Interiors Addict and now Reno Addict - great resources for all things interiors, and the home of the monthly '7 vignettes' competition on Instagram.

Jen left a full time publishing role to to focus on her blog, and it has grown incredibly over the past 4 years. "I absolutely love working from home," she says.

"Some things that have worked well for me are having a separate space for work that I can shut the door on at the end of the day, and also making sure that space is stylish and comfortable and not at all corporate; somewhere I actually want to spend time!"

Her one tip: "I think it's important to get outside for some fresh air every day. It really helps your mood and stops cabin fever. It's also good for you!"

Follow Interiors Addict on Instagram @interiorsaddict

Gina Ciancio - Style Curator

Gina Ciancio is the editor of the Style Curator blog, where she shares her passion for interiors and her own home building journey from her home in Canberra.

"It can be easy to get distracted and move between jobs when working from home (and never getting anything finished!) so I keep organised by setting a realistic 'to do' list in the morning and then working my way through it - being sure to finish job A before moving on to job B or C," she says.

"The highlights have got to be having the flexibility to decide how I spend my time, choosing where I work (on a nice day, I can take my laptop and work in a park or my favourite cafe), getting away with wearing track pants as office wear and having my dog Arnie by my side."

And as for her home office style? "The saying 'a decluttered space, a decluttered mind' is so true! I need to feel inspired by my surroundings and am designing a new office at the moment. I just picked up the light grey and oak chair from Temple & Webster that will look fab in the space."

Follow Gina on Instagram @stylecuratorau