If you WFH without a home office…

[TaraSiligel]

… where do you work from? I can’t decide whether to work from my bedroom (not much space but light and airy) or my dining room that never gets used (but is dark and miserable).

Would really like to know what other people do. Thanks.

I work in the bedroom normally although from time to time work at the dining table. I have a nice little corner of my room set up with a pretty desk that I bought and comfy chair. It works well for me and I have no issue working in my room at all. I like being able to sit on the bed if I need to read something or do a quick 10 min of yoga if I need a stretch. It also stops me snacking all day! I blur my background so nobody can see anything.

I work in a corner of the front room. It's a L shape and I pack everything away each night so I can't see it. You need to be able to step away so I'd go for your dining room and not your bedroom

Unless you need lots of supporting paperwork, or a desktop computer and/or bulky materials, l still think a regular change of location is the healthiest option.

And don’t leave your knickers drying on an airer in the background on video calls. Yep, l’ve seen it happen 😀.

I live in a flat, all the rooms are the same IE rectangles with radiators so I turned the larger 'living room' into my bedroom so I could fit in a Corner desk and work from there. I hate working in my bedroom but it frees up the family space for DD

If I had a separate dining room I would use that

I don't have any space for a desk, I work laying on my bed or sat on the sofa with the laptop on my knee

I work from my dining room. I have a large table but I also have a laptop and a second very large screen. I never seem to pack it away with is depressing. I'd love a study in our house.

I use the desk in kids bedroom

I work in the dining room but will be converting a bedroom.

Mine is in the corner of the living room, I can look outside easily, sunshine when it happens more in the afternoon.

However I am now the only person living in the house.

In your shoes I'd think how I could use the dining room and make it better than it is now, as bedroom working would be a complete no-no.

Id use the dining room, get some big mirrors that are out of your zoom/teams background but that can reflect light into the room

Bedroom for me but I've got space for a proper desk and chair and to move about which is a luxury not everybody has.

The con to that is it feels like I never leave work sometimes and if I've got loose ends at work and I'm laid in bed, it's hard to compartmentalise the work from home life and have seen a rise in anxiety-induced insomnia.

If we had a dining room, I would probably work from that, especially if it doesn't get used by any one.

I use my dining room. I sit at the dining table and pack my work things away at the end of the day, but only cos its open plan and we use the dining table at night.

I wish I had a spare room to use as a permanent office but it's not a bad set up, I overlook the garden and can watch the birds using the feeder.

I'd hate to use my bedroom.

I would avoid working in my bedroom at all costs if I had another option. It is just better psychologically to keep your bedroom as somewhere you relax and if the dining room isn't really used, it's a no brainer. You can get a good lamp and make it a nicer space.

I work from my bedroom but I have a proper desk and chair in the corner of the room, with nothing visible in the background of calls. I clear my desk and tidy everything work related away at the end of the week.

Sometimes I will work from the dining table for a change of scene but we're open plan and there's can be lot of distractions downstairs.

I use my dining room table to work. Close to the kitchen for coffee/snacks and means I can watch the outside world as I'm facing the window so don't feel so isolated.

Bedroom for me, on the bed.

Was natural when we moved to wfh. When I studied for exams it was using bed over desk. Did my covid degree mostly in bedroom.

I have a desk table for lifting laptop up high and a very large cushion with 2 arms that is supportive.

Partner had the lounge desk to work at so if he is out I occasionally use that for zoom calls for a change.

Defo the dining room. Great opportunity to create a fab work space in that room and really use the space.

That's a recipe for back problems if ever I saw one.

I bought a desk on castors. I need to be able to use two screens one being the laptop and the other is about 37" it has a shelf on the bottom for a desk organiser, note book etc and everything is connected to an extension cable so one plug and I'm all set. I either wheel it into the sitting room, kitchen or dining room depending on my mood

I agree!

It astounds me that people don't put a background on! No one wants to see that!

Can you afford to build a summerhouse in your garden? That would be my choice if I didn't have dedicated space at home. Make sure it's electricity and heating source lol

Dining room for me. But I have a separate desk with my set up, so not hovering on the dining table and having to pack up each day which I'd hate. Plus my dining room isn't a 'through room' to anywhere, it's contained.

I prefer dining room as long as separate desk and completely contained. Otherwise I'd go bedroom.

@PoundlandColumbo I know, I'm disabled already and suffer every day I WFH but unfortunately I don't have anywhere to put a desk or a chair and only allowed in the office twice a week

Agree with everyone else Dining room and make a nice work area with lamps and screen off the kitchen so you aren't looking at it while you work. Also look after your back with a good chair and desk.