We all know the image many people picture when they hear someone works from home: a person who rolls out of bed in the morning, grabs their coffee, then strolls into their home office in their pajamas – shower or not – and starts their work day.

According to Uncle Sam, home-based businesses make up roughly half of all U.S. businesses. That means a lot of folks have the opportunity to go straight from the bed to the work desk. But many work-at-home experts argue that taking a shower and getting “dressed” in the morning can greatly help get into the “work zone” and increase one’s productivity. Even some of those who are balancing taking care of kids at home while running their own business advocate this going-to-work process.

“Even if you’re not getting dressed up – certainly you don’t have to wear a suit – you can have comfortable clothes on,” said Kirsten E. Ross, a leadership and human resource coach and founder of FocusforwardCoaching.com. “It’s more about having a routine. …Taking a shower and doing the morning things you do … going out to work does kickstart you … from sleep mode to total productivity.”

Ross, who’s book, “From People Problems to Productivity” is due out in a few months and who has been a work-at-home mom since 1998, added that getting showered and dressed is “just something that mentally separates you and gets you into the work zone.”

Many at-home workers agree that there’s something about that morning routine that helps them get mentally prepared to work.

Melanie Van Every, for example, who has worked from home on and off for about 20 years, says she has more energy when getting down to business after taking a shower and getting dressed.

“I do find that even at work, if I am in a sweatshirt and jeans, I am lazy at work,” she said. “If I spruce it up a notch – jeans, a nice top, makeup and jewelry, I am much more efficient at what I do because I feel better about myself.”

Particularly if you have to do any sort of web conferencing or video chats – just a few technologies that enable millions of Americans to earn a living from home these days - appearances matter when working from home. But for some who don’t have to meet clients in the home office, nor do they have face-to-face meetings via the computer or some other technology, they opt to literally go from bed to office and say it doesn’t hinder their productivity or efficiency.

For example, one male professional who works Fridays from home, instead of his corporate New York City office, said it’s a running joke with his wife as to whether he’s going to shower that day or just wait until Monday. He doesn’t feel his productivity is affected – even though his wife may feel her olfactory senses are.

But, overall, for most people, donning something a step up from your boxers or nightgown – whatever your sleeping attire – helps them get a leg up on their work day.

Getting dressed for your day helps “separate the home life from the work life even though it’s happening in the same space,” Ross said. But “certainly, one of the benefits [of working from home] is you don’t have to wear a suit, you don’t have to wear anything that has to be dry cleaned.”