6 Reasons to love working from home
Earlier this year I made the transition from working in a busy London advertising agency to working at home. Part of the reason for that was to have greater flexibility around my daughter’s childcare and so that I could see her a lot more. I definitely do not miss agency life, just like I don’t miss the plush reception desk or fancy reception chairs, or the fun break-out areas. But I do miss the people, the banter and the beers at 4pm on a Friday.
Working in an office and working at home are two very different beasts, mainly because there is so much more interaction when working in an office. Saying that I don’t miss the interaction at home, in fact I love it, and there are so many reasons to love working from home.
- You’re in control of the tea and biscuits. You can make as many cups of tea as like, without feeling like you’re over-doing it, or having to make a huge round of tea for the entire team every time you go to the kitchen.
- You’re working on your own time. I love being able to control the hours and days that I work around childcare. I am effectively my own boss at the moment, as long as I get done what I need to by the deadline.
- You can have your own office room with luxurious office furniture that is styled to suit your home. I know that when we eventually move we hope to have an office, or just a space for a desk would be wonderful.
- It’s quiet. There’s no one constantly interrupting you, or getting distracted by something that’s going on across the office. I was always amazed at how much more work I completed at home than when I was working in an office, and now I plough through my to-do list on the days when the little one is in nursery.
- You’re not a spending a fortune on lunches. Instead it’s easy to eat last nights leftovers, or make a quick sandwich, instead of forking out £7 – £8 a day on a burrito or a Katsu Curry. It’s great for the bank balance, and also helps to keep the weight off too.
- Lastly if you get bored of sitting somewhere in your house, you can easily move desks to the sofa, the kitchen table or even outside if it’s a nice day. See it as hot-desking in your own home. I particularly like these Penny chairs they would look nice in a bay window or in a suitably stylish kitchen extension.
So those are my top 6 reasons why it’s great to work from home, and not in a office. They both have their advantages and disadvantages, but from a productivity angle I definitely achieve more, although it can be lonely with limited human interaction. However being a blogger and training to be a social media manager means that I am never more than a click from somebody.
You can find out a couple more productivity hacks in this recent Calibre blog post.
What’s your opinion on people who work from home? Or are you WAHM like me.
Claire x
N.B This is a sponsored post for Calibre Furniture
38 Comments
Morgana
I work from home and I absolutely love it, for many of the reasons you’ve listed above. The only thing I do miss is having someone to bounce ideas off.
Aarti Ohri
Thank you for sharing a great blog post Claire! As you know, we’re also greatly favorable towards working from home during the work as it breaks up the work nicely. If anyone has any questions or need further assistance on selecting the right office furniture please get in touch with us today: http://www.calibre-furniture.co.uk/contact-us. Our office furniture experts will be more than happy to help you at anytime.
Thank you. 🙂
Jade - Raising the Rings
I work from home and really need to clear and make a dedicated space for it. I currently work from the dinner table or the sofa and I get distracted so easily! Hopefully once we’re in more of a routine with the boys next year I’ll be able to dedicate more time to making sure I have my own space x
Karen, the next best thing to mummy
I used to work from home when I was a registered child minder, which meant that I could do chores such as hang out my washing and take phone messages for my husband who was also self employed
Emma
I love working from home! Although this has now made me think that I need a new office chair…..
Heather Keet
I love working from home, commuting wrecks my soul. #fortheloveofBLOG
daydreams of a mum
I like the idea of being able to swap places where you are working for a little chance of scenery!! #fortheloveofBLOG
Sarah - Mud, Cakes and Wine
What a change of working environment but can see why you are enjoying working from home. We have to squeeze a desk in the spare room at the moment #fortheloveofBLOG
Daddy Poppins
Im a stay at home dad and totally agree with this. I work my blogging around my childcare. (And have coffee for 1 as often as I like)
Oldhouseintheshires
If I could work from home then that would be great but as a teacher that’s not going to Happen!! I love the busy school environment most of time though. #fortheloveofblog
Jen Walshaw
I love being a work from home Mum and could never work in an office now
The Squirmy Popple
I used to work from home full time and loved it – I got so much done, didn’t lose time to commuting and was able to get chores done or go to the gym during the day. That being said, it did seem isolating at times. I’m back in an office now 4 days a week, but I think ideally I’d split my time between home and the office. #fortheloveofBLOG
Romina
I love working from home! It’s been mostly ad-hoc, but I did do long stretches when I was ill for several months and ran out of leave, as well as during my pregnancy. I love being able to sit there in my PJs and do my work instead of having a shower at 6am in the winter! #fortheloveofblog
Tim
You really can save a lot of money working from home! My commute costs me about £50 in petrol a week and as you say there’s the cost of food – and coffee, in my case, as we have a Starbucks in our building (which is subsidised but when you drink as much coffee as I do that’s still a fiver a day most days).
I’m office-based but I try to work from home one day a week (although in truth it’s more like a day every other week). I like being in the office because of the interaction and because sometimes it’s easier just to wander round to someone’s desk if you need something. But I love days my days at home too. I can walk the kids to school and I don’t have to spend 1.5-2 hours in the car getting to and from the office. A lot of my work is done via Skype calls with colleagues across Europe, which can be done just as easily at home. And there are times when I just to knuckle down and get on with a bg chunk of work quietly without someone popping by my desk for a quick chat. I’m not sure I could work 5 days a week at home, but certainly if I could do 1-2 days a week that would be ideal. One day …
Emma : Ettie and Me
Great post! I think Tim’s point about travel costs would be the deciding factor for me as I spend £100 a week on commuting. I’ve often thought about sitting in a posh coffee shop for a day a week too as a little treat. Just need to invest in a decent laptop that will let me do it. Good luck with your training x
Natalie A
I love your 6 reasons why it’s great to work from home! I use to work at the office and then I learned that I could do my work from home. It’s been a blessing for me to be able to stay at home and work from home! The sofa is always much more comfortable than a chair! 🙂 #fortheloveofBLOG
Chloe
Hi, I love your reasons from working from home, I try to when I can it would also save me a lot of money commuting and on drinks and food #fortheloveofBLOG
Chloe
Hi, I love your reasons from working from home, I try to when I can it would also save me a lot of money commuting and on drinks and food #fortheloveofBLOG
Sarah
Before Kids I was a hairdresser who worked from home. It was fab to be in control of appointments but when clients are coming into your home they become your friends and then its hard to say no when a time doesn’t suit. Or maybe that was just my lack of will power. It’s a similar situation with the tea and biscuits – I just can’t say NO! #fortheloveofBLOG
Nikki
I miss the people too. And having cups of tea made for me!
Emma
I love working from home. I was in office half the week and then home for the rest for a few years. Now I’m a freelancer so work wherever and whenever I can. It offers a lot of freedom but I don’t have my own desk or room to work from so I can get easily bogged down by the call of housework and ironing!! I can’t wait to move home and have my own office!
Briony
Oh those sunny days I can set the laptop up in the garden are the best. Those are my favourite working from home days. #fortheloveofBLOG
Emily Nellist
These reasons are a huge contribution to why I’m really considering becoming a full time blogger.
Clare
I also love working from home, but just recently I’ve found it really lonely too. I’m focussing on the positives more now though and it’s definitely the best thing for me.
Helen @Talking_Mums
You’ve just summed up what I’m looking forward to being able to work from home. Just hope I can make it work so I can continue to enjoy this x
#fortheloveofblog
Laura: Adventures with J
I also love working from home (lounge for me!) as I have control of the heating, when I eat (I was a teacher so break times only) and can chat to the hubby (who also works from home) without being interrupted by J. As a teacher in my pre J life I was so used to working from home that I find it really easy to concentrate and be super focused too which means I get loads done. I am glad you have found the transition works well for you. #fortheloveofBLOG
The Mummy Bubble
I would love to work from home with the kids with me as well. When I go back to work I will be working from home but unfortunately can’t do my job with them around as it’s quite intensive. It wouldn’t be fair on them or my employer. I would love to blog freelance and work in my own hours and spend more time with my daughters. I think we’re all striving to find that perfect balance between work and parenting. Great post lovely. X #fortheloveofblog
Aleena
Mr C works from home, and can’t really leave the office because he has clients calling all the time and one or both kids is usually home! We have a pretty cool set up in our Guest room, though, and it’s nice that we can all have lunch together. It also means I have a blogging office in the evenings and weekends, so it’s a win/win for us! #fortheloveofBLOG
Alana - Burnished Chaos
I miss the getting dressed up and being able to leave work at the office, but I would take working at home over an office any day.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Rabbit Ideas
Yes- the peace and quiet definitely appeal to me- I am much more productive on my own! #fortheloveofBLOG
James Hopes
Love working from home on the days where I get the chance but would love a proper little office area to sit comfortably at! #fortheloveofBLOG
Noleen Miller
I would absolutely love from from home. I do work out of campus sometimes but I think I could do so much when I work from home.#fortheloveofBLOG
Ali Duke
I’m not really sure you can call my blog working from hime as its small lol. I do get quite a lot done, but I am easily distracted by the tv lol.
#fortheloveofBlog
Hayley@ Mission: Mindfulness
Oooh yes it does all sound very tempting! Especially being in control of the tea and biscuits – though I’m not sure I would trust myself! I’m pleased you are enjoying the working from home and the move was a good one to make. #fortheloveofBLOG xx
Fancy
I don’t work from home but I often think that I would love it. You need good self discipline though! #fortheloveofBLOG
Helena
Working from home sounds fantastic. #fortheloveofBLOG
Mrs Mummy Harris
I’m super excited to work from home for all of these reasons above! Bring on 1st March!!! #fortheloveofBLOG
Richard Alexander
Hi, Hope you are in great health. i find your article very helpful keep up the good work.
https://www.relaxoffice.co.uk