Have you spent the last few months working from home? If so, you’ll be one of the 49% of British workers who have been conducting your day job in your own space recently.
It might take a while for our usual workplaces to be up and running again. So, if you have spent the last three months camped out on the sofa and hunching over your laptop, it could be time to create something a little more permanent for your home office setup.
Whether you live in a flat or you have a spare room that’s filled with your toddler’s toys, there are some quick fixes you can use to create a mini office of your own. Here’s a look at some of them.
Get a good desk
You needn’t spend a fortune on a desk, but it is an investment as it is one of the key pieces of furniture that distinguish your living area from your office area – even if you’re squeezing your office into a corner of the living room. Double check the dimensions of the space you need it to fit into and the height is also important as you want to be able to sit comfortably.
Choose the right chair
Speaking of comfort, your office chair is the second key piece of furniture you will buy, and it has to be easy to sit in. Getting this right means you’re more likely to be able to get into work mode, rather than being distracted by how awkwardly you’re sitting.
From our partners:
This is something that’s worth investing in. If possible, go and try a few different chairs out and see which one you like best. you’ll need to look at ergonomic features too as it’s important that you’re taking care of your spine and that it’s properly supported. If you do like one that’s at the higher end of your budget, it might be worth spreading the cost by using a credit card, especially if you’re likely to be working from home for the foreseeable. However, make sure you properly budget for those outgoings beforehand.
Lighten up
If it’s possible, try to set up your home office so that you’re exposed to a lot of natural light. According to a report by office supplier Staples, 80% of UK office workers say lighting in the office is important to them – and this is the case at home too. Sitting in dark spaces can impact on our moods and this, in turn, can make us unproductive and disengaged.
To help, invest in some curtains that you can throw open to signify the start to the new day or, if the only space for your office is in a dark corner, make sure you have plenty of lighting around you. Buy a desk lamp or move the existing lamps around so that you can see what you’re doing and feel comfortable.
Make it your own
Did you accidentally leave your cactus in the office before lockdown? If so, you’re not alone. To make up for this, why not add your own personality to your office at home? Bring the bonsai from the kitchen and place it on your desk or add some colourful photos or postcards to help brighten the space.
What will you do to make your home office more comfortable? Will you add a cactus or change up your desk?
From our partners:
