Styling, planning and more!

It’s been a good four months since a lot of us have settled into the ‘new normal’ of working from home and it has definitely taken a lot of getting used to. So what have we learnt throughout this time?

Home is where the heart is

A home office is one you want to feel comfortable and inspired in. And with the struggles that come with working from home (particularly for a lot of us in 2020), you also want it to be a space to maximise productivity.

Stay inspired

Surround yourself with style and decor that reflect you. If you’re going to be spending up to 8 hours a day in this space, you want it to be one you are proud of and like being in. Choose decor that puts a smile on your face and consider updating and rotating these pieces to keep the space fresh.

Greenery is one of our team’s favourite forms of decorating, particularly in a home office. Plants not only give a fresh feel to a space, but there are many proven mental and physical benefits to sharing space with greenery. Take a look at our catalogue of accents to update your home office into one you love.

TOP TIP: Having a plant on your desk will remind you to water and care for it, so it won’t die! (and any excuse to take a break).

Less is more

It can be so easy to get caught up in organising all of your stationary in one place on the desk, which just ends up taking up working space and can lead to clutter. Try and organise pieces that you actually use and need to minimise this clutter.

Be creative with your storage and use that to hide those extra pieces. If you’re anything like us, cupboards and drawers are a priority when choosing the right desk for your home office. Use this space to hide stationary and folders that you don’t need everyday.

Our Adams desk has maximum workspace with minimal storage space, perfect for small stationary pieces.

For any extra storage, such as cabinets, shelves and trays- select ones that you like and will fit in with the style of your space. Hide your printer away in storage to maximise your working space, and keep cords and wires hidden as much as you can. When your space is clear your mind also won’t feel cluttered!

TOP TIP: If you’re like us and like to collect magazines for inspiration, invest in a ladder to hang them from. Don’t go overboard though! Keep just a few hanging and others stored away- this way you can stay inspired and will also be reminded to actually read them!

Our team share their biggest lessons on how to maximise productivity while working from home:

Start early! J&M Home’s Creative Director and Marketing Specialist, Laura likes an early start to her ‘new-normal’. As an early-riser, she says ‘I like to make a coffee first thing, then get straight into my to-do list and knock out a couple of tasks first thing. This way I feel more accomplished within a couple of hours and more prepared to take a break for breakfast. Then there is a bit less to do when you start to get restless/distracted in your own space later in the day!’

Comfort is key! Says Creative Director, Kendra. The right chair and right setup make all the difference. Not only does it give you an excuse to buy new furniture, but it also makes the work day easier knowing you won’t walk away with back pain.

Take frequent breaks! Working from home is no stranger to J&M Home Controller, Nicole. She advises the need to be frequent and regular when taking breaks in between tasks. It can be so easy to get caught up in deadlines and the need to finish that you forget stepping away from your desk can allow you to reset to finish a task more productively!

Items featured: Crown Lounge chair, Fidel working desk, S&C Kofar rug, Kuma artwork, Soleil lamp