Decor items are only useful if you sim will be skilling near them (or, for instance, using a flirty decor item in the bedroom to help get them 'in the mood'). So if they need an emotion to stick with them off the lot, then they will need to do something that gives a buff lasting a number of hours. For inspired, the thoughtful shower or cloud gaze are good options with cloud gaze giving the longest buff (6 hours). And it doesn't take long to get the cloud gaze buff. Even if they only have 5 minutes before work time starts, get them to cloud gaze and as soon as you see the buff pop up, cancel the cloud gaze action.
Similarly, children and teens should use the chess table to 'ponder moves' just before school (if you're working towards getting an A). Once they have an A grade, it isn't necessary as completing homework each day is enough to maintain the A. In fact, once mine have the A, I have them do their homework but slack off at school to keep their fun high.
