The verdict is in, working from home is here to stay!
Government guidelines state that employees need to work from home, where able, over the course of the second national lockdown.
However, when asked, over half of respondents claimed that they would continue to work from home on a permanent basis. Out of those who did not wish to work from home permanently, the majority blame the lack of a home office to operate from.
So, how can you create a working space if you don’t have a whole room available?
Share space – Look at areas around your home where you can make a room multi-purpose, with the addition of a desk and chair in your spare room, kitchen, living room or dining room.
This will not only use up wasted floor space but offers a practical solution. It is also a great way to prioritise your home décor pieces.
For example, if you are lucky enough to have a spare room, a large double bed that is rarely used can be replaced with a sofa bed.
Re-purpose furniture – If you have an unused piece of furniture, such as a dressing table, you can re-purpose them into a sizeable desk space.
This option is not only eco-friendly and cost effective, but super easy, as you can simply transform the current location of the furniture into your office zone.
Our top tips for creating a cosy yet productive home office space is to position yourself away from any distractions like windows, and use plants and candles for a more homely feel.
Staircase solutions – The area under the stairs is often overlooked, so this can be a great solution to needing a home office.
Ideally, an open staircase without risers is best for this hack, but this can be adapted depending on the space you have to work with. The area under the stairs is notoriously dark, so good lighting is key here – this can be yellow or white light, depending on the vibe you wish to create.
If you want to go all out, bespoke built-in office spaces are a great way to utilise the entire area.
Cupboard office – This revolutionary workspace solution, nicknamed a ‘cloffice’, is a great alternative to a clunky desk in the middle of a room.
To create this, use a spare wardrobe or large cupboard – this works even better with built-in furniture.
Use shelving to create an area to hold your computer and files, and decorate to your taste. The best part about this hack, is that you can close the doors on your home office after your work is done for the day. Perfect to help maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Utilise outdoor space – If you’re lucky enough to have a summer house or garage, these can be transformed into a dedicated home office.
Summer house solutions are great for the winter. Just add a heater and invest in a secure locking system to keep your items safe, and you’re good to go!
For a garage, this may be slightly more expensive, but will work all year round. To start, cover the concrete floor with rugs or a fitted carpet to warm up the space and pay attention to the walls, as these may need insulation.
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