Best Background Music for Working From Home

Put away that Beyoncé playlist! You might have the greatest mix on the planet, but that might be working to your disadvantage.

Working from home comes with perks, but it also comes with more distractions. You now have your TV, your partner/kids/pets, video games, books and your bed! Staying focused is probably a bigger challenge than when you just had your phone by you at the office. Listening to upbeat music is going to tempt you into singing along; and if you have your playlist going, you’re going to have catchy song after catchy song playing. Talk about a time sink!

Bossa nova and jazz

We all know what jazz is, but what’s bossa nova, you ask? It’s an offshoot of jazz originating from Brazil. These songs typically don’t have lyrics, which makes for excellent background noise while you’re working.

Bossa nova and jazz playlists are pretty easy to find on YouTube, and channels such as Cafe Music BGM Channel constantly host live radio streams of lyric-free background music. No matter what you pick, you’re guaranteed to feel like you’re working in a nice little coffee shop.

Classical music

Who says classical music is just for piano players and middle-school music programs? Sometimes songs that you’ve heard a hundred times are just what you need to get into a work mindset. Whether it’s slow, somber compositions such as “Moonlight Sonata”, upbeat tunes like “Für Elise”, or fast-paced arrangements such as “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2”, you’re sure to find a song that fits your mood for the day.

The best part is that because these songs have been around for so long, that it’s easy to find arrangements on multiple instruments! If you feel like hearing “Canon in D” on the guitar, you can. If you want to hear “Flight of the Bumblebee” on the flute, you can.

Video game music

This might sound like a weird one, but hear me out: video game music is already composed to blend into the background. It’s meant to be heard, but not focused upon while you play, and modern VG music is a far cry from the cheerful chiptune from the arcade games of the 80s. Orchestras, electronic instruments and more are used to make the music more sophisticated and pleasant to listen to.

Relaxing songs like those found on the Slime Rancher and Rain soundtracks are good places to start. But if you’re a gamer (or want to be), you’ll definitely find something that suits your tastes.

Regardless of your preference, make sure that your background music helps – and doesn’t hinder – your focus!