Seven tips for setting up a home office

Once the preserve of reclusive novelists, working from home has suddenly gone from occasional to near-universal. Recent years had already seen a shift towards more remote and flexible working, to be fair - but the coronavirus pandemic has forced countless businesses to set up shop at home.

If you’re totally new to home working, chances are it’s a steep learning curve. Here’s how to stop grieving over the office coffee machine, and make your home workspace feel as productive and positive as possible...

It’s tempting to start working from the comfiest spot in the house - your bed! But this isn’t the healthiest idea. Conventional commuting marks a clear divide between work and home, and it’s important for both your lifestyle and sanity that the distinction in some way continues. Not everyone has a choice, but if it’s remotely possible, do not work where you sleep.

Natural light inherently increases your energy, positivity and creativity, and is an essential tool in the battle against cabin fever. Try to position your desk near a window, and experiment with your computer placement so that you aren’t dazzled by screen glare at certain times of day. Once the natural light fades, keep your workspace illuminated with wellpositioned lamps, that will keep the room feeling fresh whatever the time of day.

If you’re used to an office and enjoy heading out to work, working from home can be an irritation - but it’s also a chance to assert creative control. Productivity permitting, you can listen to music, wear whatever you please, and design a workspace that works just for you. You could opt for the classic family photo on your desk, or (if you’re seeing enough of them at the moment!) a novelty calendar, colourful print, or attractive timepiece. Your desk likely claims the lion’s share of your day, so don’t worry about looting other rooms to make it feel right. All those things Karen the office manager said you weren’t allowed in the real office - now is their time to shine.

Whether it’s an open-plan office block or your own front room, workplace wellbeing still matters. It’s been proven time and again that even low-level exposure to greenery provides a mental boost, and you might really be missing your outdoor foliage fix right now. From spiky little cacti to large-leafed philodendrons, there’s plenty of plants that can spruce up your desk. A trip to the local garden centre is probably off the table for a while but there are lots of options for buying online and having nature delivered direct to your door.

Tempted to stock your new home desk to within an inch of its life? Colour-coded binders, a symmetrical splay of pencil pots, a year’s supply of post-its, paperclips and

Pritt Sticks, and your favourite coffee mug precariously squeezed in by your keyboard.

Everything runs like clockwork - until you have to takes notes or a phone call, and you find you’re balancing your notepad on your knee. Keep clutter to a minimum and go for ‘less is more’ to keep it functional.

Your constant companion as you go about your day, an ergonomically sound chair is among the most important ingredients in any effective workspace - including when you’re at home. Posture and

Avoid working from your bed at all costs

Bring your home office to life