More people than ever are now working from home and while the new working conditions were initially a tough transition, many are now spending thousands transforming their homes into hubs of productivity giving rise to a new ‘BedOffice’ trend.
A new lifestyle study by Travelodge has revealed that over half of Brits have taken inspiration from hotel rooms to create their own multi-functional spaces called ‘BedOffice’s to help boost their productivity whilst working from home. It’s not just bedrooms that are transforming, a fifth of Brits are also finding new work-pals in their pets talking through work issues and finding that extra support.
Over a third of Brits say that their ‘BedOffice’ setup has made them feel more relaxed and has helped them to mentally separate their home and work spaces. Designing an environment to suit themselves has aided in a stronger sense of productivity and motivation. Interestingly, a quarter of people surveyed said that working in their own ‘BedOffice’ makes them feel as if they are in a hotel room- something that seems like a dream during these times- which then increased their motivation and creativity, and subsequently saw a boost in their mood too.
But just how much are we investing in our home working environments? Our survey revealed that us Brits have spent on average £1,075 revamping their new remote workspaces to make them feel more homely. Everything from a refreshing lick of paint, to new furniture, Brit’s have let their imaginations run wild in order to create their idyllic work environment. With Zoom calls being part of the new work norm, 1 in 3 Brit’s have taken to creating an artistic feature wall to make an interesting backdrop, while 55% of workers have installed soft lighting and extra lamps so that the lighting is just right for those calls with their colleagues.
Feeling inspired? Here’s our tips on how to create a fantastic, productive and interesting ‘BedOffice’ perfect for boosting your home-working taking some inspiration from our own hotel rooms:
The Bed
We all know that a comfy bed makes for the perfect night’s sleep, but it’s also a huge help for your ‘BedOffice’ dynamic- after all, who likes an uncomfortable seat? The bed isn’t just for sitting on either, 25% of workers say that they like working from their bed as they can spread their work out and make more use of the space. So, with that in mind, a bigger bed, or a clear one at least, is also a good idea for maximising this ‘zone’ of your ‘BedOffice’ space.
The Desk
Using the bed as a workstation isn’t for everyone and it doesn’t have to be. Having a spacious desk with some drawers can give you more room to help you organise all of those pieces of paper and stationery making for a more stress-free work environment. There are so many desk organisers out there so it’s easy to coordinate everything to fit your style. Why not at a desk lamp to your set up as a practical stylish feature, or even a coffee machine or snack jar perfect for that early morning wake up, or a post-lunch pick-me-up.
A Comfy Chair
Having a comfortable chair can make all the difference when you’re sitting working an 8 hour day. Your posture can play a huge role in how well you work so getting the chair wrong can be bad for you and your productivity. Getting a chair to suit your individual needs, whether that’s more lumbar support, something that swivels, or something with a warm cushiony feel it’s important you feel comfortable enough to settle down in it for the whole day.
TV
It’s important to get the work/life balance right. Once you’re finished for the day, a big inviting TV can be just the thing that’s needed for winding down. Whether it’s a good bit of catch-up telly, or a blockbuster movie letting it all go at the end of the day is vital for your mental wellbeing. However, while it’s good in small doses to help you relax, it’s important to keep it switched off around bedtime to improve your chances of a restful night’s sleep.
Wall Art
Whether it’s a quirky abstract piece or a simple soothing landscape, having something interesting to look at can help your mood and motivation, and can even spark some creativity. While many Brit’s have turned to whole feature walls, you needn’t go that big to make an impact. Sometimes, it’s the smaller details that make the biggest difference. Try putting together a photo collage of your favourite people, places or things in an interesting frame.
