Think back to this time last year and a working from home day was more than likely a rarity, a novelty even.
Then March 2020 hit and for those of us whose jobs are engineered from behind a desk, work looked very different. Kitchen tables were turned into hot desks, spare rooms into Zoom holes, even bed on those really feel-sorry-for-yourself days acted as a temporary office.
If you’re one of the millions still working from home across the country or at least WFH part-time and you haven’t yet invested in a decent working set up, let us be your guide.
We’ve handpicked some chic setups, from desks to chairs, affordable options to design-led pieces at high street prices. Plus, some great options if you’re lacking space.
Granted, work-related purchases are no more fun than filling in your tax form, but trust us, a stylish nook or chic study are bound to motivate you into working smarter. Remember: you may be working from home but don’t make it feel like you’re living at work – at least make it look nice.
Design-Led High Street Picks, From £295
From made.com’s retro-inspired Ankhara cane desk to a Swoon and John Lewis partnership that screams mid-century chic, the high street has a bounty of design-led pieces that belie their price tag.
Desks On A Budget, From £100
You don’t need to drop hundreds to curate your own chic working hub, there are plenty of affordable options available online to turn a bedroom corner or living room nook into something professional.
IKEA, John Lewis and Next all have some good looking options that won’t eat into your next pay check.
Small Space Savers, From £65
We don’t all have a dedicated study and sprawling bookcase to show off on Zoom meetings, the majority of us, especially in London, are dealing with modest spaces to find a work/life balance.
That doesn’t mean you need to double up your sofa, bed or dining table as an office, even the smallest spaces can be transformed into office areas.
There are plenty of small desks available, as well as ladder options should you need more space for documents and storage.
For those lacking square footage, Wayfair’s ingenious Surprising Floating Desk fixes to the wall without the use of the back legs, saving valuable inches.
Stylish Desk Chairs That Don’t Compromise On Comfort, From £149
Disclaimer: we’re no experts in ergonimic design so if you’re looking for an office chair that is really going to support your back, you’re in the wrong place.
We do however know a good looking chair when we see one, and whilst sitting for long chunks of the day is never good, these chairs are all classed as office chairs and provide far better support than a rickety old dining set or, worst, the sofa.
Add a pop of colour with John Lewis’s velvet rose swivel chair or feel like an absolute boss with made.com’s flint grey and brass Keria chair.
