Blog

Home. Work.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Millions across the UK are now working from home following the government directive to Stay At Home a week ago. With no sign that restrictions are going to be lifted in the short term some may be finding this a challenge. So here are some tips for making your home work for you. With developments in technology it’s increasingly easy to work from home and there are many innovative ways to create your own home office if you think outside the box.

You don’t necessarily need a spare room, loft or basement to convert; fantastic work-friendly spaces can be found under the stairs, in a spare corner or even in a cupboard. Creativity, careful planning, shelving and furniture can transform a small, previously unused space into your new home office, allowing you to work effectively in the weeks ahead.

Space under the stairs can be repurposed using office furniture with wheeled storage units that tuck away out of “office hours”. Or convert a cupboard that can completely close when you finish work for the day. If you only have a small area, make the most of any vertical space with shelving up to the ceiling. If your hallway is wide enough for a desk, it can be ideal for a small home office. Choose a narrow desk or one with a pull out /drop down shelf and use shelving and wall mounted storage to keep the desk clear to use.

Increasingly homeworkers are using technology for meetings and multi user calls and it’s not just for business, once the day’s work is done it’s a great way to reconnect socially with family and friends for your book club, a “stay home” pub quiz or just to catch up. Try out the options, there are quite a few to choose from, the most popular ones currently include Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and Team Viewer.

Unless you are required to respond to different time zones, it’s a good idea to stick to a regular routine to remain focussed and give the day some shape. Include regular breaks to stretch and re-energize; your home office may not be as good for posture and comfort as a properly assessed office environment. Take a lunch break as you would normally and finish at your usual time; find time for some daily exercise or at least a walk and some fresh air (subject to the Stay at Home guidelines!).

Maintain a healthy work/life balance – especially important in these challenging times. Ask others in your household to respect your work time although depending on their age this may prove tricky! Above all, think about what works best for you. Everyone is different and works in a unique way, bringing different strengths to their work.

If a garden office is an option, it offers the convenience of working from home whilst being distinctly separate. It’s a popular solution, offering peace and quiet away from distraction. Garden rooms can be fully insulated and double glazed for all year round use and many come pre-wired, ready to plug in and start work. Subject to availability and budget, there’s a wide range of sizes and styles. If you are thinking about installing one it’s worth checking whether you need Planning Permission, or whether you can proceed under Permitted Development rules.

Before any significant expenditure, it’s worth finding out what the impact will be on the value of your home, and whether it represents good value in the circumstances. Contact your local Frost office for advice on this and, with our local property knowledge and expertise, we will be happy to help.