Creating a Work From Home Office

People work from home for all kinds of reasons, and it’s as popular now as it was during the covid years. In fact, one study indicates that the UK has the second highest share of hybrid workers, after Canada.Whether your employment means you work full time from home, your work is divided between home and office, or you’re a home-based freelancer, one thing is common: you need an office, or at least a comfortable space to work from.

It’s not always easy to find the right spot even if you live alone, but if you have a family the challenge is all the greater.

Find the Right Spot for a Work From Home Office

If possible, pick a quiet area with natural light and enough space for a desk and chair. A spare bedroom is ideal, or you might consider converting your dining room if you have one.

If you need to use the whole room (photographers or graphic designers, for example, may need space for more equipment than just a computer) a local self storage option can help if you don’t want to permanently part with existing furnishings. For instance, people in the Cambridge area could look for Huntingdon self storage as a practical way to help free up space while keeping furniture or equipment nearby for later use.

That said, many people also work successfully from the kitchen table, a corner of a living room, a bedroom, or even on the landing if there’s space for a desk.

Take into account the type of work you do. If you need privacy for phone calls, that’s a clear priority when you’re choosing your space.

For anyone, the main consideration is that the area is relatively quiet and away from the main traffic areas in the house. Constant foot traffic can be very distracting.

Prioritise Comfort as Well as Convenience

Once you have a spot, focus on your desk.

You don’t need a massive executive desk to be productive, but you do need a surface that suits your work style. If your only tool is your laptop, and your work surface is your lap, put your focus on a comfortable chair. An actual desk is not mandatory.

If you work with a couple of monitors, you handle physical paperwork or need creative materials for your job, search for a bigger desk that still fits the space available. A few fitted shelves or a bookcase around your work space will take care of any overflow if you can’t fit all your stuff on the desk.

Having things handy will also keep your desk surface tidy so it’s easier to settle to work without too many distractions. Use drawers, small storage boxes, pen holders or paper trays too keep small items together and prevent your desk feeling cluttered. Always remember the self storage option when you really can’t find enough space and still be comfortable.

Storage and Organisation

As well as a good desk and chair, think about the lighting. Sit near a window if you can manage it without causing screen glare, and invest in a good desk lamp if you can’t. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain, while using a main overhead light can feel draining and harsh.

Technology is another main consideration. You’ll need a good, reliable internet connection and a setup that keeps cables under control and neat without creating trip hazards. If video calls feature during your work day, make sure your camera and microphone are correctly set up. And pay attention to the background. A simple screen can make a professional background if you don’t want your living room on show.

It’s also a good idea to have notebooks, pens and chargers handy just in case you need them during a call.

Try and keep work materials separate from household items if you can. In a shared or family home you might need to set some boundaries against kids ‘borrowing’ your office materials.

Work/Life Balance

Often overlooked is the need to switch off from work at the end of the day. When you travel to work, there’s a natural release of tension at the end of your shift when you leave the building. At home, this disappears unless you do things to make it happen.

It’s easier if you have an actual room you use as an office because you can leave the room and shut the door behind you. In a shared space, it’s harder.

Building small end-of-work habits can help. Things like:

• Shutting down the computer, rather than letting it slip into sleep mode.
• Tidying your work area/desk and putting away pens, notebooks etc.
• Putting your chair away, or sliding it under the desk.
• Covering your monitor with an attractive cloth.
• Leaving the house for a short walk in fresh air.
• Making a special drink you’ve been looking forward to and only drink after work.

They may seem like little things, but when you do it every time you sign out for the day it brings back a sense of completion that signals your work brain to stand down.

Creating a home office that works can be a challenge, but it’s perfectly possible in even the smallest of spaces. When you get your space right, there’s no reason you can’t be equally as professional from home as you can from a traditional office.