New to WFH

[oustedbymymate]

Hello. I’ve just secured a new job which is mainly WFH bar site visits. I don’t have a spare room so just wondering where people set up etc? I’ve got an allowance from work to buy furniture and IT equipment and provided with a laptop. I’ve got two young (early primary) DC too so tips on a set up that works without them interfering with my desk in the eve would be good. Already thinking a set of lockable drawers.

Thanks

We don’t have room in the bedroom. Dining chairs are not that comfy and it’s in the middle of the house. I’d rather be tucked away. We are looking into converting the garage but obviously that’s a while away yet so looking for something over the next 6 months or so until we make any more decisions.

I do think it would be awkward to be in the playroom or a child's bedroom as you would then be in their space - though it could work temporarily until you convert the garage

Would something like this work in your room?

https://www.studybed.co.uk/

Totally different to everyone else but we have a large L shaped hallway which I work from. Desk is very similar to this so I can pack things away when not in use. It suits us, I don’t have a room that could be dedicated as an office but the relaxing spaces in my home remain work free.

https://www.dunelm.com/product/olney-swivel-desk-stone-1000255863?defaultSkuId=30924869&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Office_Desks-PMax_%5BGOO-PLA-FURNOFF-DESKS%5D&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19823512204&gbraid=0AAAAADGqyX3_zmqp9BOTMccT2-4gfL3hI&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlerQBhDMARIsAB16H-XUwln4wvqrUuHnpZ0wg00wqz7mx5npO9eOCFXVM6YBj4bc1iPuapgaAiIvEALw_wcB

I only need a laptop so I just roam around the house. My husband has a desk setup in the spare room as he needs multiple monitors. Neither of us wfh full time as standard but he does happily whenever he has the chance.

if you need stuff besides just the IT kit and it’s confidential at all definitely lock it away. Can you shove a desk into your bedroom?

My company issued some recommendations for people that don’t have a separate room.

ideally get a desk that is a cabinet you can close. You want to visually close off work when you are done.

a screen can work too.

barring that, keep your work materials, including your laptop in a bag or box and put them away at the end of the day. If you use an external monitor, think about ways to camouflage it visually.

create visual and mental separation from work. Or at the very least, put the laptop away physically so you can’t check an email or hear it ping.

my husband keeps his sound up enough we can hear his alerts all day and night from his home office. He often runs back in. I have my settings such that when I close my office door, I am done with work and I stay done.

I now work in a converted garage that is now a second living/study room. It didn't take that long, just a case of plastering and painting the walls, and putting in a solid wall and window instead of the garage door.

On the sofa with my laptop on my lap and TV on in the background 😂 I have awful habits though so don't listen to me.

I work from my sofa. Much more comfortable. Laptop balanced on back when I do calls.

If ds won't be in his room at any point during your working day then that would be the best place. Being on a different floor really helps.

How is your loft access? Many at my work wfh in the lofts, not nicely converted ones just some boards down and a good desk lamp.

I started WFH in the living room, you really have to be the only person in the house. I got annoyed at DH watching crap on TV and generally walking around but ultimately it was me invading his personal space. It can also be a bit depressing seeing your work area all evening and weekends etc.

I got myself moved into the bedroom once it became apparent Covid wasn't just a blip for a couple of months.

I created a little office in the cupboard under the stairs!

Thanks some good advice. There is literally no room in our bedroom. My house isn’t that big. I could try and move things around but it’s already very tight. I’m not sure about working next to my bed but then maybe that has to be done.

im worried conservatory isn’t going to work when dc are off school. 🙈

Corner of my bedroom with a room divider to close it up at the end of each day. Far from ideal and just fits but the only option.

Your employer should provide DSE assessments. You need a proper monitor and seperate keyboard and mouse and a decent office chair.

Definitely get a proper desk and adjustable chair, plus footrest if you need it. I have a large monitor and laptop on a stand (I don’t use both screens but it stops it overheating!). If you can get a video call DSE assessment when you are all ready. Mine was really useful - they measured the seat height, screen height etc (got me to use the tape measure and they advised). There is a big risk of neck / shoulder / wrist pain if you don’t get it right. My set up is now much better than the actual office when I do have to go in!

I just sit at the dining room table with my laptop. I don't need anything else.

Could you do the conservatory most of the time and then the working space during school holidays. Does your employer actually have offices and could you work there in the holidays?

It you have outdoor space, I can recommend one of these: https://americancaravansdirect.com/office_blocks/8ft-x-10ft-folding-office/

check policy first
my employer requires a self assessment and a suitable monitor is mandatory.
before we renovated/extended the loft I had a set up there with a small dining table (ikea), monitor, keyboard. desk chair, lightening.
out of the way --between the washing lines.
now I have a nook in the finished attic on the landing.

@oustedbymymate I've been working from home for 10 years. I'm lucky that I have a large downstairs back room that I use as my office/dining room. My desk is at the back by the patio doors so I can look out into the garden while I work.

I recently bought a new desk that is height adjustable https://www.kobledesigns.com/product/nora-height-adjustable-desk, as I have a bad back, so I prefer not to be sitting down all day. I'm not great at typing while stood up so I often stand during Teams calls. The desk looks good in the room. It has plug sockets at the back, USB and USC sockets and a wireless charger for my phone. It also has two drawers so I can put my laptop, notebook and pens away at night.

I have a fully adjustable chair, separate monitor, desk lamp, mini desk fan and a wireless keyboard and mouse. I also have a pedestal fan for when it's hot. I spend at least a third of my day working so I wanted my set up to be as comfortable as possible.

Yes my workplace asks questions about monitor, desk, adjustable chair etc

don’t do dining table and chair I did that during lockdown and fecked up my back

I’m thinking bedroom might not be the best but only solution

if DC are off school and in your space it will get noticed and reported

I use an old writing bureau - I put the laptop on the top so it's at a good eye height and then use a separate keyboard and mouse on the part of the bureau that folds down. My kids ( both under 5) briefly showed an interest in opening the drawers of the bureau but got bored very quickly when all they found was boring paperwork! I don't have to lock any of the drawers but you could use those kitchen cabinet magnetic locks of necessary.

I love that it all folds away when you're finished working and then is quite an attractive piece of furniture to have in the living room.

I'd also recommend a kneeling chair (mine is from ergonomist I think) - absolute game changer. I don't get any back pain anymore.

My H&S guy teams called me so I could show him the set up on my phone. He was happy with everything bar the chair (was a dining room one) and ordered an ergonomic one which arrived a week later. Fair play to him, I did have medical records to back up my case, but he was very keen to do it right in lockdown.

Been working from home for years while now, recommend getting a laptop stand and seperate keyboard. I've used a writing bureau (which i painted) so that it all could be packed away in the living room. I tried the conservatory (also used as a playroom) but found it was too hot in warm weather and the light coming through the roof meant that it was difficult to see the screen.
You can always blur or put background on for teams/zoom calls which can cover background. Good luck with your new job!

I absolutely wouldn’t be paying to hide office space!

@kombuchabucha I’m really intrigued about the ergonomic kneeling chairs but not sold, did you go straight from a regular chair to that one? Not sure I have space in my little office for both my regular chair and the erg as I also have storage furniture and a spin bike in there 🫣😂