Typically, evening hours are the time most of us book for catching up on email, reading, relaxing and exercising. But for those of us with tasks extending to the night, the time that the sun is on the eastern shore is when we handle our daily home to-dos.

Gearing up for the day ahead with coffee in hand is a somewhat different feel than coming home to end up with a glass of wine, and it may take some getting used to. So here’s a collection of photos with ideas for helping you improve your early morning hours. Even if you don’t have work which begins late in the day, you can most likely benefit from some of these suggestions after the weekend strikes.

Ilija Mirceski

The breakfast station. If you are big on breakfast, you already know that a vast array of accessories and utensils accompanies this meal. Being organized can help you avoid fumbling through various drawers and cabinets. These thin recessed shelves are great for storing coffee cups, juice glasses, pitchers or carafes, together with cream and sugar.

Dreamy Whites

Coffee stations are an exceptional method to keep everything out and from your kitchen workspace. An area as small as 12″ x 24″ will do just fine. This little island houses a couple of morning essentials and frees up counter space.

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

If you are fortunate enough to have the excess counter space and do not need shelves or an island for your breakfast needs, consider grouping everything which relates to the meal in one area: coffee, cups, toaster, etc.. This is also helpful once you have early-rising house guests. You may just point out it the night before and they’ll be ready to go.

TEA2 Architects

Comfortable seating. A sun-swept dining area is ideal for reading your latest magazines over coffee, particularly if there’s cushy seats to enjoy them from. Mornings and windows appear to go hand in hand.

Philpotts Interiors

Plush, window-side chairs is precisely how I imagine the beginning of an ideal morning. This customized booth was an exceptional choice for the table and makes this room cozy and inviting.

Studio William Hefner

Here is another cushy dining area, this time near a wall of glass. I imagine this area would be ideal for catching up on sites or watching the kids play outside as you enjoy your morning rest.

Mark English Architects, AIA

Bold colors. Perhaps you are not a morning person and may use all of the help you can get in regards to the a.m. hours. Waking up and shuffling to a white kitchen punched with citrus-colored cabinets can supply only enough zing to get your day off to a good start.

LDa Architecture & Interiors

A cozy seat upholstered in a bold patterned cloth will excite the senses and have you on your way to an invigorating early run. Well, perhaps it will not move that much, however I’m sure it will help.

The Couture Rooms

A room with a view. A room using a welcoming view will help with the daily rise-and-shine. If you invest your down time writing, a good distraction during times of writer’s block may be exactly what you want to pull you back in.

Zack|de Vito Architecture + Construction

Okay, so most of us aren’t likely to get the luxury of owning a view this spectacular, but it is fun to dream, is not it? Working here, I’d imagine that catching up with emails set on the back burner would no longer feel like a chore.

Philip Clayton-Thompson

Gazing over the deep blue ripples to watch the boats leave beach could be a nice way to enjoy coffee with a friend on the watch or watch out for a few minutes as you wait for your job day to start. If you do not have this in your house yet, it may inspire your upcoming vacation plans. Beach house, anyone?

Bondanelli Design Group, Inc..

An outdoor room. Having an outside area to couch in is fine, particularly once you have several seating options to choose from. A nearby table helps with breakfast and provides a place to work. The additional long cushions are good for power naps if you find the time.

Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab

Having a shadowed region will help shield the beams of the early morning sun. If you are working on a laptop, you are aware that the glare of sunlight will generally keep you indoors. Try out a shady retreat to catch up on your emails and the news.

When is your catch-up time? Morning or night?

More:
Life in a Glass House
Dreamy Window Seats