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

Some nook or alcove, a space behind the sofa, under the stairs, a shed in the garden, the end of the dinning table. Lots of potential space, but realistically you want at least 3' of "desk space" and a decent chair.
You also don't need to be in the same place all day. Depending on what meeting I'm in or what task I'm doing I'll either be at my desk in my home office, sitting on the sofa or at the dining table. Change of scenery is good to break the day up.
Also, don't rule out working from libraries, cafe or else where, so long as your work place does not have a rule forbidding this. It's handy if there are days when someone else is in your home on their day off and looking to relax.

I have WFH for 6 years, since the start of covid. WFH FT definitely isn’t for everyone, but IF you can handle being on you own all day every day the benefits in terms of work-life balance and saving time & money commuting are a game-changer. ‘iF’ being the key word in that sentence.

I do have a spare room, so that’s where I work. My top tips would be :

1, Wherever you’re going to work, get yourself a proper office chair, one which supports your back properly & allows you to work with good posture. The benefits of WFH aren’t worth getting back & shoulder problems.

2, Establish a sensible routine, I work a regular 8-4:30 with an hour for lunch. That way, work isn’t eating into my own time.

3, I use my lunch hour for exercise. I walk or run every day, whatever the weather. Getting out of the house & away from screens is vital.

4, Be disciplined about what you eat. The temptation of the fridge & snack cupboard is real. I keep plenty of fruit, chopped veggies & low fat hummus always available to snack on.

For a cheaper alternative standing desk, this works great for me (not the one in the picture!) https://humbleworks.tech/collections/standing-desks-for-laptop

I've gone almost completely the opposite way and don't have a desk or work chair. I have a structured but very comfy arm chair and have a lap desk. It makes me feel a lot more relaxed than when I had a formal desk set up. Work somehow seems easier.

I also prefer to work upstairs. I don't like being interrupted by the doorbell ringing, the window clearer or parcel deliveries. Being tucked away upstairs avoids the distractions for me.

Yes I have guidance on setting up everything and then have a call to check it all. They have said it needs to be a proper set up and give a a generous allowance to buy what’s needed. It’s more the space. I live in a small three bed house. We can look at converting the garage (was on our mind anyway) but that’s not an overnight job. Short term until we do this maybe youngest DC bedroom? I can shut myself away then too. There will be time when the kids are at home with DH and I would prefer if they don’t know I was there 🤣 additionally on some days DH will be off (shift worker) and I am working and I don’t want to be in his space or vice versa.

would this work as a temporary solution?!

I work from DD's bedroom and it works really well. Her room is large enough that my desk in a corner doesn't make much difference and as there is a playroom downstairs, it is mostly only used for sleeping and getting dressed. DH being the kids home at around 4pm and then I stay up there until 6 without being disturbed and they can use downstairs freely.

Aware we will need to think of a better solution once they are older and won't want me there. at that point playroom will probably become a multifunctional desk/2nd sofa space as the volume of toys decreases.

I think it's the better option to the conservatory for sure

A few of my colleagues do it - it is kinda funny when you can see the obvious kid decor behind them, but it's fine and for client calls, they would blur the background

I got a desk made to measure to fit on one side of the chimney recess in my front room. I also got a colour that , if everything removed it doubles as a shelf for photos etc

I have a dedicated corner of the living room, I’m mostly at home by myself during the working day. When other people are around I have the option of moving to my bedroom tho.

I have a spare bedroom but I've been looking to move and have seen a lot of creative workspaces on rightmove! lots of people have used spare space on the upstairs landing, etc.

I've had a full on desk ready to be built still in its box since 2020, and am just using a little pop up desk! So maybe you could take advantage of your work being happy to pay for a proper set up now, set it all up in the conservatory (as that will be easier to move everything to the garage when that's built), and work there 90% of the time. On the days kids are home you can just take the laptop to your bedroom or work in a co-working space etc.

I went from mat leave (so not having had to sit at my desk for a year!) to the kneeling chair, as I ordered it just before my return to work. In the first few weeks I did spend a bit of time on the sofa in the afternoon if I didn't have meetings and wanted to slouch (nod off for 5 minutes..) but think that was more related to just finding returning to work exhausting when my 1yo's sleep was still pretty poor, rather than finding the chair uncomfortable! I sit on the kneeling chair all day now and have done for almost 2 years.

I have a home office with proper adjustable desk, decent chair, monitor, foot rest etc etc….. but for some reason I hate working in there and usually sit on the sofa with my laptop on a lap tray. I find it far more comfortable!

I sit on the sofa 😆
We do have an office in our house but DH uses it and I don’t find it relaxing.