Whisper it. There’s a quiet revolution going on.

Statistics show that after the call to ‘stay home’ when the first national lockdown hit back in March 2020, the UK workforce led the way when it came to embracing remote working for the first time. According to a survey by the CASS Business School, 65% of British workers made WFH the new normal – that’s an awful lot of new, improvised workspaces!

Even more significantly, it appears that remote working is here to stay. Rather than a temporary knee-jerk reaction to the growing pandemic, it seems that many are more than happy for their current arrangements to endure.  A YouGov study shows that 57% of those forced into this new way of working want to keep the status quo, or at the very least, split their working week between part home-based and part office-based tasks.

In light of this, if we’re going to permanently swap the water cooler chats for kitchen table brainstorming sessions, we should all try to make our new workspaces as productive and user-friendly as possible. That’s why this week, we’ve put together a handy little guide on maximising your WFH zone (with some Saints magic sprinkled in for good measure, of course!)

1. Location, location, location!

You simply cannot afford to overlook the location of your workspace. Working from home throws up several unavoidable constraints, but if you can, position yourself near a window to ensure plenty of natural daylight streams in during the day.

Offices are tailor made for productivity, and thus are generally surrounded by large windows to let in the light. Unfortunately, most homes aren’t designed for the same purpose, but placing your desk and chair around the largest window you can find can make a massive difference to your mood and productivity during the working day.

Also, we recognise it’s not easy, (especially whilst the schools are shut) but ideally a room that you can close off to the outside world is the best way of blocking off distractions such as the kids or pets vying for your attention. Try to set boundaries – let other people in the house know that when your door is closed, you’re in work mode and don’t want to be disturbed.   

Perhaps you’ve got an old bedroom that’s not been used in years? Give it a good old clear-out and transform it into a productivity dream-zone!  

2. Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Make no bones about it, when you’re working a sedentary job, having a chair that’s not up to scratch can really ruin your day. Comfort is one thing, but if your seat is not ergonomically suitable (too high, poorly positioned backrest etc.) then your physical health can suffer due to poor posture.

Fortunately, a selection of some of our seats provide both comfort and style in equal measure. For example, our Hans Wegner Wishbone Chairs are a joy so sit in, thanks to an elegantly curved back and well-positioned side arms for additional support. In fact, they’re so good for working that we use them in the Saints office on a daily basis! (Outside of lockdowns, of course).

Alternatively, our Jamie Dining Chairs aren’t just for the kitchen. Featuring a sculpted resin backrest, padded seat and stable 4-legged base, you’ll be ticking all the relevant boxes with this beauty for your new, premium workspace. A supremely versatile chair that doubles up as both a party pleaser and productivity powerhouse, all-in-one!  

3. Turn the Tables!

Having the correct chair is one thing, but without a decent desk/table, you’ve only fought half the battle. Improvising with the kitchen table may have worked on a temporary basis, but thinking long-term, you need a work surface that’s up to the job.

Thanks to a unique design, our Oxford Dining Table has a hidden trick up its sleeve. If you need extra space, the Oxford extends lengthways, adding an extra third to its surface area.

So, if those pesky laptop cables are forever hanging over the sides, or you’re using the floor to double up on room for all that printed paperwork, make your space troubles a thing of the past with this terrific shapeshifter!

4. Get up to Speed!

This one seems obvious, but it’s amazing how many people settle for unacceptably low Wi-Fi speeds. There’s nothing worse than having your Zoom calls drop out every few minutes during key meetings, or for emails not to reach their intended targets due to a sudden drop in your connectivity.

Naturally, make sure your new desk is located near a wall socket for convenience, and consider investing in a multi-plug extension cord so that you can accommodate all your wires and connectors.

If your current Wi-Fi provider isn’t getting you the speeds they originally promised, give them a call, explain your conundrum and see what they can offer you. Often, a new router can be all it takes to see an improvement, but don’t be afraid to shop around and see what the competition has on offer.

Having a stable connection is your bread and butter for WFH – without it, you’re sunk. Get it sorted to save yourself a whole load of hassle in the long run.

5. Spread Some Cheer...

This one may seem trivial, but remember that we spend a huge chunk of our lives at work (bit of a depressing thought, but an honest one nonetheless…). The least we can do is make the space look a little nicer.

Back in the old office, we had no qualms about decorating our desks with a few personal items to brighten up the place. And since our homes are our own, we’ve got even more creative freedom to splash the ornaments and pictures – what’s more, your boss can’t tell you off for it either!  

Houseplants are a classic that never fail to liven up your environment. We have a fabulous collection of faux plants on our website, but to add some real jazz to your new space, our pink Pampas Grass is a superb head-turner!

Also, having a clear, legible timepiece that you can look up and refer to during the day is another item guaranteed to make things run a little smoother overall. Back in the office, there was often a wall clock that everyone could glance at to check how long until lunch (or home time!), so why not do the same in your new home equivalent?

Our Station Clock is tailor made for such a task, and also provides some top-notch styling to boot. Featuring a galvanised metal case and bright yellow hands, you’ll easily keep track of your schedule with this vintage timepiece that’s more than up for the job.   

With these tips, tricks and hacks taken into consideration, you’ll soon have sky-high productivity levels once more, all from the comfort of your own home!

With no more tiresome commute, a farewell bid to sorry-looking railway station sandwiches and more time to spend with loved ones, the WFH revolution looks set to stay. And with a few tweaks here and there, who’s to argue against it?

Feel the Love!