Houso

2020 has brought numerous big changes to both our working and social lives. Perhaps one of the biggest changes, is that millions of people in the UK are now working from home. A government statistic from April 2020, suggested that as much as 46.6% of the UK were working from home! This is not completely bad news, however, as working from home has its advantages. For instance, it can help with your work-life balance, save you money, reduce commuting stress and it is good for the environment. Nevertheless, not all of us are lucky enough to have a suitable home office. The team at Houso carried out some research, in which we looked at how people without ready-made home office spaces have adapted their homes to allow them to work from home. Today, we would like to share some of our findings and thoughts with you. Hopefully, these tips may help you create a suitable space to work from your home!

A good place to start is your spare room(s). If you have a spare room, what is it currently used for? Spare rooms are often used to store neglected items that are barely used or items that we aren’t quite sure what to do with! For example, old books, clothes and neglected gym equipment from when you decided to have a go at keeping a New Years resolution… Try to remove any items from a spare room that are no longer required or necessary. By clearing even a few things, you may clear a dressing table that could be turned into a desk and a chest of drawers suitable for a printer and other work accessories. If your spare room contains a bed that is rarely used, consider swapping it for a sofa bed to save space.

For those of you that don’t have a spare bedroom, your next best indoor option may be to transform one of your closets, nooks (such as space under your stairs) or cupboards into a ‘cloffice’. If your cupboard door folds inwards, you may need to rehang or remove the cupboard door. We suggest that you rehang the door the fold outwards added for quietness and privacy. Empty the contents of your cupboard to make it comfortable and find its nearest plug sockets. If you have to use an extension lead, make sure that it is not a trip hazard for anyone walking by. Whether you have decided upon a cupboard, closet or a nook within your home, try to lighten the area up as much as possible. This will help to keep you alert and awake during your working hours.

If your home is empty during the day, another option is to purchase a folding desk and perhaps an ergonomic stool for your lounge or bedroom, both of which can be put away during evenings and weekends. If you have no choice but to set up your workspace in a high footfall area, then consider buying a room divider to mark out your territory.  Items such as an oversized houseplant, cupboard or curtain can work wonders to create a private territory.

Do not despair if spare rooms, ‘cloffices’ or your lounge are all out of the question. With a bit of imagination, there are plenty of places around your home that can be doubled up into an office space. Even a garage or a dry shed can be converted into a dedicated home office. Not only would this option be great for you, but it will also add value to your property.