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Original poster

How do you make your home workspace "enjoyable"

24 replies

StrikesMatches · 23/01/2015 13:29

I work from home and I have a small cosy room off the kitchen where I have my desk, printer and mahoosive piles of crap. Tomorrow I will be getting a nice new big cupboard that will house most of it and so from next week I'll have no excuse not to have a tidy, ergonomic, motivating office.

What are your special touches that help you get in the zone? I need some budget friendly inspiration, please.

OP posts:

invisiblecrown · 23/01/2015 13:32

No idea. I don't work from home all the time - but I am currently sat at my dining room table really struggling to focus.

RubberDuck · 23/01/2015 13:34

Not sure that it gets me "in the zone" but I have a jelly belly bean dispenser on my desk which brings me a lot of enjoyment

Original poster

StrikesMatches · 23/01/2015 13:42

I found a jelly bean dispenser in the shed about a week ago!! I can't risk filling it, it would last about an hour and I'd be bouncing off the walls from the sugar rush!

Invisible, my office has been such a mess I was working at the kitchen table and I found it much harder than when I'm locked in my room, so you have my sympathies.

OP posts:

Wellthatsit · 23/01/2015 14:10

I give it a quick tidy every week, refilling things that have been taken out then dumped on the floor. Otherwise I start losing things and get frustrated.

I also have some fairy lights and a nice lamp. And plug in an extra heather if it's cold (tax deductible expense).

arlagirl · 23/01/2015 14:11

I have a small office with lots of framed photos of my fave rock star
A Reed diffuser from Neal's Yard.
Music.

strongandlong · 23/01/2015 14:13

I have a standing desk. Built it myself with an assortment of ikea bits, but I love it.

Good lighting helps a lot.

I need to come up with a better way of managing the piles of paper, so marking my place...

Original poster

StrikesMatches · 23/01/2015 14:18

Standing desk, strong? Can you elaborate?

OP posts:

invisiblecrown · 23/01/2015 14:37

I would LOVE a treadmill desk

www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21076461

Coyoacan · 23/01/2015 14:42

I work in my bedroom. I have a loft bed and my desk underneath. I don't think it is good for your back to spend too much time working at the dining-room table.

lavendersun · 23/01/2015 14:43

I have a battered old oak desk facing a window that looks onto my garden/woods beyond and my piano is in there so if it all gets too much I make a cup of tea and have a music break!

I like a tidy space - unlike DH I can't work in a mess so I usually tidy up and dust (very dusty old house) before I start on Monday morning.

whatdoesittake48 · 23/01/2015 17:28

I have a standing desk too - it saves my back. I stand in front of a window so i have a reasonable view and daylight. I am next to a radiator so i am warm. I am feet away from the sofa and the TV so I can have a break and a few more feet to the kitchen so I can have a cuppa.

What more do I need?

Thank fully I can work in a mess as I zone it out because my desk is cluttered...

The only thing I must have is some lip balm...

LaurieFairyCake · 23/01/2015 17:35

I'm a counsellor and work from home so my room has comfy chairs and footstools. Lots of candles, nice lamps and my library plus oak desk. Also a reclining couch like Freud in case anyone wants to lie down. There are throws at the end of it too.

Add in a fish tank with a very chilled out fish in it and its nigh on perfect. It's a very calm space and is kept warm so people can relax.

Artandco · 23/01/2015 17:38

Laurie- that made me laugh. Dh surprised me once with an 'office' fish tank. I spent so long staring at fish on my desk getting nothing done they had to be moved to the kitchen..

strongandlong · 23/01/2015 18:54

I found I was getting stiff from sitting down so much, and then I read articles like this one and thought I should give a standing desk a go.

I've been standing for almost 2 years now. I love it - much more comfortable. I hate sitting down to work now.

I sometimes have sitting breaks to do some reading or when I'm on the phone, but 90% of the time I work standing up.

I recommend it:)

macdaddydoodah · 23/01/2015 21:28

lots of ideas here: www.pinterest.com/kate_lover/w-o-r-k-i-n-g-f-r-o-m-h-o-m-e/

iklboo · 23/01/2015 21:32

Tassimo coffee machine
Music
Desk near window so I can gawp out occasionally
Photos & nick nacks (not allowed at work because we 'hot desk')

RubberDuck · 23/01/2015 22:55

OH OH YES to the Tassmio. I love mine. Can't figure out why code isn't doing what it's supposed to, a five minute break with a caramel latte (and possibly deciding that the ironing has to be done right now as work avoidance) and all is well again.

iklboo · 23/01/2015 23:23

If we're working from home....would anyone really know if we slipped a Bailey's in the latte????

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 25/01/2015 08:11

Impressed with all the standing desk users on here!

I have some nice coloured glass magnetic white boards. I use them to store work stuff & nice cards etc from friends.

egnahc · 25/01/2015 16:22

I have the nicest room in the house. Warmest- south facing- great window over the garden. Lovely desk, fab iMac, lots of storage. Sofa for sitting and reading work. Nespresso machine. Very large recycling and shredding bond- all scrap paper goes into 1 straight away. own phone line and internet connection (aside from family one).

Original poster

StrikesMatches · 28/01/2015 10:30

Sounds like there are lots of lovely home offices around! Thanks for the pinterest link, I'm going to end up spending a fortune on bits and bobs...

I must look into a standing desk when we do up the house (I'll be losing my office to get a bigger kitchen/living room) because I find myself walking around the house any time I'm on the phone. DH has the treadmill in his mancave office so I'll suggest he uses that while gaming

OP posts:

nolongernewbie · 28/01/2015 11:24

Oooohhhh love the pinterest ideas - note to self: must STOP surfing pinterest (& daydreaming about my fab new office) & actually get on with my work...

MyNameIsInigoMontoya · 28/01/2015 11:29

Radio and I light a scented candle, I am also rather fond of my chair although it is starting to show its age and will need replacing sometime.

The downsides are tons of clutter (working on that...) and it needs redecorating once the clutter is sorted. But hopefully I will get there eventually and have a nice workspace.

dotty2 · 28/01/2015 15:18

My workspace recommendation? One which doesn't include a DP/DH deciding he's going to work at home for the day at the same table as you and make lots of phone calls [bitter]. Though he has now gone to do the school run, so I shouldn't be complaining.

I work - and always have since I started freelancing - at the dining table. However, we recently had a reorganisation and now have a dining room/study with one table in and another in the kitchen. This means that I can leave my stuff out during the week as we eat in the kitchen then, and just put it away at the weekend - big improvement for me. The thing I like most about my workspace is the view of the garden - only small but lots of birds, which I like.

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