How to guides
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5 ways to work from home

If working from home is your new normal, follow these steps for a more productive 9 to 5

Home office and bedroom

Location, location

Finding the right zone to set up office is key. You might be fighting for space at the moment especially with children home schooling. A spare bedroom is the answer, but this could be a luxury. You don’t need masses of space though and a corner of a living room, a kitchen table or an area of the hallway works well. If this is going to be a more permanent set-up, consider a separate outdoor build. After all, 2021 is all about WFG (working from the garden). 
Kitchen
TIP: Be creative with your work station but stick to the same spot to create a sense of routine. A clear, clutter-free surface and a good supply of power points for your tech are key

The basics

Even if this is a temporary measure, you need the basics: a comfortable chair and decent desk. Clear a kitchen or dressing table for your office kit and make dining chairs or stools more ergonomic with cushions and foot rests. Move furniture around to find a quieter, more secluded spot, good natural light and maximum WiFi signal. If all else fails, Ikea and Argos have a budget-friendly range of WFH furniture that will do the job.

Home office
TIP: Invest in a desk converter for a more productive work-from-home set up. This clever height-adjustable kit transforms a humble kitchen table into a flexible work space

Storage saviours

Tidy house, tidy mind. A well-ordered, work-from-home hub is a top priority for an organised and inspiring space to get everyone grafting. For a full-time solution, long rows of wall shelving tailored to your needs will be your storage hero. Otherwise, repurpose an old bookcase or bedside table for stashing files and paperwork at a low level. Desk organisers and filing systems can be picked up cheaply online. Or simply stash pens in old mugs and jam jars for a homespun feel. 
Home office and bedroom
TIP: E-storage is crucial too, so make sure you back up digital files and emails on a portable storage device or the cloud should anything go wrong.

Keep calm

If you do have a dedicated home office, opt for a calm and serene colour palette. You can’t go wrong with off white and buttermilk for a tranquil backdrop. Pale blues and greens will create a sense of balance and serenity and help you concentrate. If you’re working in a corner of a communal room, make sure the area is clean and clutter free. You could try sectioning off an area with lengths of fabric. 
Home office and bedroom
TIP: Plants always boost mood. So make working from home a little bit greener. Some of the best, easy-to-grow desk plants include Cacti, Snake Plants, Air Plants and Succulents

Light it up

An efficient work space needs to be well lit. If possible, position your work area near a window for maximum natural daylight. Otherwise, darker spaces can be boosted with artificial lighting – a combination of overhead pendants and good task lighting works well. If you haven’t got the time or budget to overhaul your lighting scheme, try desk lamps and clip-on lights for a quick and easy solution.
Home office
TIP: Seek out a portable desk lamp fitted with adjustable LEDs and even built-in wireless charging. Perfect.