Tips for home office & wfh

[moveoverhogger]

I'm changing role in the new year & it's 100% remote so am busy turning our spare room into a home office. I have a desk, comfy chair & have ordered new monitor/keyboard/mouse.

What other things should I get for the home office to make working from home easy?

Might be a silly question but what do others wear on their feet? Normally at home I just walk about barefoot or in socks, not sure this is suitable for the majority of my time though 🤣

Why isn't it ok to work in bare feet or socks?

I would get a monitor stand to ensure its at the right height. I would also have a couple of plants because I like having plants in my working environment. Good luck with the new job!

Heated throw, nice cardigans. Coffee machine.

If I had an actual home office, I'd have a whiteboard. I need to be able to 'see' what needs doing or people who need to know stuff.

It’s not possible for everybody but when I changed my spare room into a home office the best thing I did was to face the desk out of the window. Gives me daylight, something to look at when I need thinking time, and I can warm my feet on the radiator. I also have plants on the windowsill, and wear slippers or socks and crocs on my feet.

Might be a silly question but what do others wear on their feet? Normally at home I just walk about barefoot or in socks, not sure this is suitable for the majority of my time though

I bought Ugg mini fluff ankle boots in Autumn 2020 for this very purpose as I (correctly) predicted another wfh stint for me over last winter.

Defo put desk near window if possible, uggs for feet. I bought a little oil heater as there's no point in heating the whole house just for me, just need the office warm.

I bought some mahabi slippers. My feet got freezing sitting at a desk at home all day plus not wearing shoes all through lockdown meant my feet got really painful. A slipper gave my feet a bit of shoe like structure.

@WhatDidISayAlan

It’s not possible for everybody but when I changed my spare room into a home office the best thing I did was to face the desk out of the window. Gives me daylight, something to look at when I need thinking time, and I can warm my feet on the radiator. I also have plants on the windowsill, and wear slippers or socks and crocs on my feet.

I was going to do this but it's south facing and the sun beams directly in so I'd be blinded. I'm side on now so I can look out frequently and have daylight on me

Do a workplace assessment to ensure you’re sat at the correct level. Blinds to block out the sun.
I wear slippers and also have wrist warmers for cold days.

I am barefoot all day - why wouldn't you be?

A printer is worth thinking about.

A bit random but I also have a yoga mat and weights so that I can take 5 min exercise breaks

If you are doing presentations or lots of VTC calls consider a ring light and a decent microphone (though good web cams often have good mics within them)

I WFH in what was the box room.

I have a coffee machine and comfy armchair so that I can get away from my desk if I’m reading etc. I also have an oil filled radiator so that I don’t have to use the heating during the working day.

I wear slippers in winter, fitflops in summer. I find that I stay a lot warmer if my feet are cosy.

A sit stand desk top thing so that you can change position during the day and still use your keyboard.

I also have some art and photos on the walls, and I got an IKEA Kallax too tidy everything away so it looks neat on video calls.

Some brilliant ideas so far thank you all.

I can't have the desk up against the window unfortunately as it is a velux window 😞

And not sure why I feel I shouldn't be barefoot all day, maybe I'm turning into my grandma 🤣

Lap blanket and fingerless gloves for cooler days, get your monitor setup so that your back is straight. Make sure that the comfy chair is supportive too. Slippers with a good sole on them so that your feet stay warm. Look at the camera and light setup so you're not fiddling about with lights/curtains all the time. I hate blinds with a passion, but can see their use in this context.
I have a small whiteboard for keeping deadlines and tasks on, and a lidded crate that everything can be pushed away into when I'm not working from home that slots nearly under the desktop.

I've never worked from home, but I found when I was studying part time I worked better if I put proper shoes on I worked better because i felt like I should be working, so to speak. And yes to wrist warmers or fingerless gloves to keep your fingers warm enough to type!

Sheepskin boots! My feet get so cold!!! Also alexa or similar so you can tellbthe radio to go off if you get a call. I have the radio on all day in the background though.

Standing desk
Double monitor
White board and bulletin board
Blinds
Fan/dehumidifier and heated blanket
Monitor riser
Decent chair
Ring light and headphones
Plant
Several lamps
Storage and filing

Height adjustable monitor to avoid hunching and a jabra speaker to avoid my ears being squashed spending all day on calls.

Always get showered and dressed appropriately in the morning before working. I don’t wear my office clothes but I don’t wear really casual stuff. I don’t deal with the public but I dress in a way that if my boss demanded an immediate video call I would be ok. I think it gives you the correct mindset.

I take my breaks away from my home office and I leave my desk every hour for a few minutes just to stretch my legs and give my eyes a rest.

I’ve set up behind my sofa in the lounge. I like being near the dog, kitchen, door etc

good light source so that you don't look ill on video calls.

a separate web cam just above head height or a stand for the laptop that the camera is at the most flattering right height.

a printer/scanner if you are allowed to use one.

remember to build in a commute (short walk mornings and evenings) and to take breaks.

I second a riser for your laptop - really puts the screen at the right height - I see you’ve already got a separate monitor- that’s brilliant - I simply couldn’t live without my extra monitor now.

The ultimate accessory though is a garden room obviously that may not be possible.

You say your chair is comfy but I really would invest in a proper office chair.

Can anyone recommend a Ring light - some of them look hugely expensive but I also wonder if the cheaper ones are a waste of time?

OP, I would second the sit-stand desk - I have a Bekant from Ikea and also stand on a wobble board whenever I am standing (so that I don't lock my knees). Also, double monitors.