Those who WFH

fitmom82

Do you have a specific office?  I'm looking for a WFH position, something to do with eduction so not really anything where I'll be on the phone all day.  I don't have anywhere to set up a home office.  I'm thinking if I find something I could put a file cabinet in the dinning room corner if needed and I'd put my lap top onto the dinning room table after dropping the kids off at school and set up office there for the day, or somedays the library or starbucks if possible, just to get out.  One reason I'm looking to WFH is to have some flexibility so I also would probably pull my laptop back out after the kids are in bed and work from the couch.  Do you think that would work or do you really need a specific office?  If this worked out in a a couple years we'll be looking to move and then I'd look for a home where I could have an office.

shannm

My DH worked a lot from home last year and we also don't have designated office space. We both do fine setting up shop at the dining room table. As long as the kids are not home.

*sparky*

I have WFH a lot over the past few years and am getting ready to start WFH almost exclusively. We have an office but I really can't stand being in there all day. I usually set up at the kitchen table but then I really have to make myself focus and not turn on the tv or get up to make a snack every five minutes. When it is nice I sit out on the deck.

I do have filing space in the office but I do very little printing anyway - I am mostly working on electronic files I am sharing with clients.

kmos816

I'll be starting to WFH exclusively shortly (yay!) my company requires me to have my own office, not sure if this is actually monitored, but there will be days I will work from the couch or dining table depending on what needs to get done

banks81

Assuming your company doesn't require an office as other PP have stated, I think it depends on your personality.  Personally, I need the designated office space.  It helps me concentrate during the day and separate work from home a bit more.  

If my husband comes home and I'm in the office, he knows I'm "at work".  On the flip side, I don't worry about housework when I can't see it.  If I was sitting in the living room or kitchen, I would need to make sure everything was spotless before I could work.  Also, I don't have to clean up my work space every night.  I can leave my computer and work papers as is and it will be there for me the next day.  

If I have to work at night, I sometimes take my laptop into the living room.  But when I'm at home during the day, I'm in the office.

Jills83

As others have said, it depends on the type of work and your personality.  I WFH three days a week and I've done both - a designated office and work from the dining/living room.  I usually have an office set up in our basement, but we are remodeling down there (and have been working on it for a month) so my desk is set up in our living room. 

Personally I prefer having my desk in the basement office because it separates my work life from my home life.  Sometimes I get stressed when I see paperwork/my computer sitting there even though I am supposed to be off work for the day.  Also my work involves  a decent amount of hard copy documents (not all electronic) so I like having a designated place to store it and work rather than moving it back and forth off the dining room table. 

DiveFrog

When I work from home (10-25%) I will either set up at our Kitchen Island if DD is not being watched at our house that day, or in our Bedroom (where we have a comfortable reading type chair and side table) if DD is at home.

I will add, my brother works from home 100% of the time and really prefers to have an established office area (desk, chair, extra monitor, laptop dock etc.)

 

mae0111

I have a separate office space that is removed from the living area of the house.  We have a nanny, and while the kids are usually out and about for much of the day, they're loud when they're home.  I spend most of my day on the phone, so I really need a separate space.  I also have a laptop that remains in my home office 90% of the time (so not lugging it back and forth to my work office), so it's nice to just have a spot with my stuff that doesn't have to be "put away" each night.

DH works from home on an ad hoc basis.  He sets up in the bedroom, sprawled out on the bed with his phone and laptop. I would go nuts in that situation.  His stuff is everywhere, ergonomically it's awful, etc.

dashofreality

I have a docking station and two monitors so normally I am in my office. "Office" is a bit subject because in this latest move it is temporarily a table with a chair in the corner of my bedroom.

DallasHorn

I've WFH for 8 years. I have a dedicated office where I work. Occassionally while I'm heating lunch I'll bring my laptop to the kitchen and work at the table while things are heating.

rockychryslerb2010

We turned a spare bedroom into the office.  I actually prefer it.  When I first started working from home 1-2 days a week before kids, I would just setup shop where-ever.  Usually at the kitchen table where there was lots of light.  E is home with a nanny during the day now, so I needed a separate place.  I actually like having a spot I can treat like a real office, no need to clean up papers and such to make room for dinner, etc.  I was able to pick out a desk and chair that I really like, so I feel like I'm actually going to the office.

amieeyoung

I'd say if you are going to work from home for a long time then you will eventually at least want an office space. If you don't have a spare room do you have a spare closet or corner or a room that you wouldn't be bothered at?