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 move around. I do actually have a home office but it is the size of a cupboard and its window faces a brick wall. So I usually work in the dining room which is dark, but really uncluttered and that helps me think. Sometimes in the living room which is very sunny and has comfortable chairs if I want to write reports with my feet up on the sofa. Sometimes in bed but try not to, as it's the quickest way to get cabin fever. Sometimes in my cupboard office. But even though it has a proper office chair and desk at the alleged right height, I get more cramp and back problems from working there that at a wrong height desk with a dodgy chair or on my knees on the sofa.

Never at the kitchen table, though. I just like the kitchen to be the down time space where we all mooch and chat and have a glass of wine. It's good to have a non-working space.

I’ve got 2 set ups - one in the dining room and one in the spare bedroom. I tend to use the former more in the summer as downstairs is open plan and it’s lovely to have the doors open to let the dogs come and go. I work upstairs more in the winter as it’s warmer and I need to use less heating - the computer and monitors seem to be enough with the door closed.

Have you discussed this with your manager? If you're disabled already can they not make a "reasonable adjustment" to allow you to work in the office more often? Seems short sighted to leave you to suffer, you'll probably end up going off sick eventually.

I’ve a already said l move around several times a day. Table on the patio under a parasol in the summer 🌞

I work in my DC bedroom as I work school hours. It's gloomy in there as we have film on the window to keep it cool in the summer. I have a SAD lamp and a daylight desk lamp. If you truly never use the dining room that sounds like a better choice, I think I'd find it hard to sleep with work staring at me at night. Also, make sure you're not just working off your laptop, get a good chair, screen and mouse and keyboard.

From my bed 😌😆 All I need is a laptop

@Scottishshortbread11877 me too...or my settee if it's too warm in my bedroom or my dining table, or in a waiting room when waiting for what seems to be never ending issues with my car to be resolved. It is the biggest benefit of my job and the fact that I don't have to have camera on in teams meetings. I do have a desk in my house, but prefer to move around according to how I feel.

Yes! I have my electric blanket on and work 8-4 quite happy. It flies by!

Working from your bedroom is just awful. It sucks your soul slowly, it’s like death by a thousand cuts.

Dining room, you can make it nice with lamps and plants.

I work from the living room.
We don't have a dining room.
I'd use the dining room.
I have a desk in there but if someone else is home I will work in my bedroom for peace and quiet.

I have a corner of my (small) dining room, just big enough to fit a small desk and chair.
It's right by the patio doors and I like the natural light (plus it's literally 2 paces from the kitchen which is nice and handy).

Bedroom. I sit on my bed and have a big fold up habitat desk. It means I can watch over all the back gardens while I work. Better soundproofing in there too.

Living room. It's not great but I don't really have another easy option. Kitchen is super cold half the year and I worry about kitchen grease getting on my expensive computer equipment as well (not easy to move my monitor from room to room). Bedroom - just no. I hate it TBH and would love an alternative but simply don't really have the option.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going to relocate to the dining room.

I'm the same 🤣 have a great set up in a bedroom and still find myself using sofa and laptop table. Think it's good to be able to mix it up a bit, see what works

Absolutely this.

I tried working from my bedroom once. I lasted about 10 minutes, then someone called me and I felt quite strongly that I didn't want them in my bedroom, even on a teams call with my background on.

Never again 😅