Common Home Office Problems — And How to Solve Them!

Many of us have spent a lot of time working from home over the last 18 months, and while for some a return to the office is on the horizon, for others remote working is part of the long-term plan (you can learn more about this in our home working infographic!). And while some people have become experts at the WFH lifestyle, others are still finding it difficult to live their best work from home life. Luckily, we’re here to help you resolve some of the most common home office problems, from poor organisation to bad work/life balance, so you can be sure of work from home success. 

The Problem: Staying organised in a small space

Whether you’re in a cubicle or a corner office, at work you have a space that is entirely focused on, well, work. However, when you’re working from home, you may not have a dedicated office space, and whether you’re working from the kitchen table or on the sofa, it’s hard to stay organised with all the bits and pieces you need for your workday. 

One obvious way to resolve this issue is to give your home a proper office setup. Many people have made do with what they already had when it appeared that working from home would be only a temporary situation, but if your workplace is moving to a remote or hybrid model, then it’s worth investing in an office desk with storage. Even if your home is short on space, we have compact options that will give you the organisational capabilities you need. 

The Problem: Back or neck pain while you work

As comfortable as your dining chairs are for mealtimes, they’re not designed for eight hours of seating, five days a week. If you’re finishing each day feeling stiff and sore, your first step should be a new office chair. Choose one that is ergonomically designed for lumbar and neck support. A mesh back office chair is also optimal for temperature regulation and airflow. 

However, even the best office chair around won’t solve all your home office problems if you sit hunched over your laptop all day, every day. Make sure to practice good posture: adjust your chair so that your knees are level with your hips, your screen is an arm’s length away, and your wrists are straight. Furthermore, you should make sure to stand up for a few minutes every hour, to stretch as well as to give your eyes a rest from looking at your computer screen. You can even try these easy stretches from the Mayo Clinic to reduce stiffness and pain. 

The Problem: Not enough vitamin D

Even if you don’t love the commute, going to the office does ensure that you get outside for at least a few minutes every day. When you’re working from home, it can sometimes be difficult to take the time to get some fresh air and vitamin D. This is especially true in the wintertime when it may already be dark when you wake up and by the time you finish work. Luckily, working from home offers a little more flexibility that you can take advantage of to enjoy some outside time. 

If you have a phone call scheduled, put in some headphones and take it on a walk, or even suggest meeting in person for a meeting at a coffee shop for a bit of extra social time. And if you are stuck inside all day, set up your space to let the sun in, with lightweight curtains that will maximise the natural life your office space receives. 

The Problem: Hard to unplug after work

Remote working eliminates many of work’s biggest headaches, such as traffic-heavy commutes and formal office wear. However, working from home in your sweatpants at a desk that is five feet from your bed can mean that at the end of the workday, it can be difficult to switch off and enjoy a relaxed evening. 

Once again, a designated workspace can come to the rescue here. If you’re working in a traffic-heavy area that you’ll spend time in during the evening — like your sofa or kitchen table — it can be hard to separate your work and home life. Putting your desk somewhere else can help to create an office ‘zone’ that you can walk away from when you’re off the clock. Similarly, ensuring you have plenty of storage for all your office supplies, in order to keep them out of sight, will remove the temptation to jump back into what can wait until office hours. 

Whatever your home office problems, the right work from home setup and a thoughtful work from home routine will help to solve them. Whether your office has gone remote for good, whether you’re working from home a few days a week, or whether you’re back to the office but planning on a WFH day every once in a while, it’s worth creating a space that will ensure comfort and productivity.

You can shop office furniture from Corcoran’s online one, or if you need any help choosing an ideal office desk, chair, or other furniture, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help set you up for work from home success.