The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive impact on every aspect of our lives, including the way we work. You may have been launched into home-working for the very first time, with little guidance on how to set up a comfortable working space, or you might be struggling to fit in work around home-schooling your kids. Here are a few tips from HSI on how to be productive, comfortable and positive while working from home.

Get dressed

I know, who wants to put proper clothes on when we have a legitimate reason to spend all day in pajamas? But getting dressed will help you mentally prepare for the day, and draw a line between you-time and work-time, making it easier to focus.

Set up a comfortable, quiet working area

You won’t get much done if you’re slumped on the sofa, especially if the temptation of the TV remote is too much to resist, and it won’t be good for your back either. Ideally, you want to set up a home office, perhaps in the spare room, where you won’t be disturbed. It’s worth investing in a decent office chair and desk – it’ll improve your posture and reduce the strain on your muscles and joints. If you haven’t got space for a full home office, find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably at a table. If you’re short on space, try an ergonomic stool rather than a swivel chair.

Stick to a schedule

You’ll be much more productive if you try and stick to your regular working schedule. Wake up at your normal time, get dressed and get started. Make sure you take a proper break at lunchtime too. Move away from your working area and eat your lunch elsewhere or, even better, go for a walk. If you’re trying to balance work and childcare, set up a rota with your partner so that one of you works while the other watches the kids. You could swap over every two hours, or whatever works for you.

Plan out your day

When you’re working from home, you have to be your own task manager. First thing in the morning, make a list of everything you want to get done during the day, and keep referring back to it. It’ll help to keep you focused, rather than checking social media one more time because there’s no one there to stop you. Plus, it’s quite satisfying ticking off task after task on your list.

Stay connected

Working from home can feel rather lonely if you’re used to the buzz and camaraderie of a busy workplace. Check in with your colleagues using video calls rather than just email, if you can – seeing your workmates’ faces will help you feel more connected and motivated.

Log off and enjoy your evening

Don’t let the boundaries between work life and personal life become blurred just because they’re taking place in the same house. If you’re sitting on the sofa scrolling through work emails at 10pm, you never truly get to switch off. Set a time to finish work for the day, switch off your laptop and relax. It might help to change out of your “work” clothes, take a shower or head outside for some fresh air – anything that helps you draw a clear line between your working day and your evening.

HSI stock a huge range of office chairs, desks, stools and storage options to create your perfect home office and see you through these strange times. Email us at sales@hsifurniture.co.uk to find out more.

If you spend the majority of your working life sitting at a desk, correct posture is really important. If your chair and screen are in the right positions it can help to reduce strain on your back, eyes and ligaments. Getting it wrong puts extra pressure on your muscles and discs, and can lead to backache and fatigue.

So how can you ensure you’re sitting correctly? Sit in your chair, relax your shoulders and look at your screen. Your elbows should be slightly higher than the desk surface and your thighs should be at a 90-95 degree angle to your upper body. Your feet should be flat on the floor and your eyes should be in line with the top of your screen. Adjust your chair and screen height until you’re in the right position. If your feet still aren’t resting flat on the floor, you may need a footrest.

Then, adjust the horizontal part of your seat – that’s the bit you actually sit on – until you are sitting firmly and comfortably against the back pad. You should have a small gap between the front of the seat and the back of your knees.

Now adjust the height of the backrest so that it sits in the small of your back. This is crucial for providing lumbar support and maintaining the natural inward curve of your lower spine.

Put your arms in your regular working position, for example typing on a keyboard or moving a mouse. They should be ever so slightly higher than your work surface.

Finally, release your chair’s locking mechanisms – seat and back – to allow it to move freely. As the chair moves, it will encourage your muscles to work, which helps your circulation.

We offer a wide range of ergonomic chairs from leading brands, all designed to ensure your work environment is comfortable. With a variety of fabric options available, as well as free delivery and installation (T&Cs apply), you’ll be sure to find an option that complements your existing office design and budget.

Click here to find out more. For a free quote or advice, get in touch on 0118 9883009 or email us at sales@hsifurniture.co.uk.

For every company, there comes a point when things need a refresh. When that dreaded day arrives, it can feel like an overwhelming obstacle. You may not have enough money left in the budget to buy brand new, or enough time to dispose of all your old furniture. On the other hand, it’s not going to help your company’s image or sales if your clients have to sit on ripped, shabby chairs during pitches and meetings. The fact is, office updates are an essential part of good business. It keeps things modern, fresh and clean, and makes a good first impression on potential customers. With us, refreshing your office furniture doesn’t have to be a huge project to tackle. Choose to renovate your office furniture and you’ll save time, money, and the environment too.

Style Savvy

Almost any item can be reupholstered and given a new life. Office chairs, reception sofas and general seating are all perfect candidates. The beauty of our service is in its versatility. We provide a large selection of high quality fabrics – including leather – with different colours and patterns to choose from. You can also provide your own fabric. Existing furniture can be further refreshed with replacement arms, new seats and backs, and antistatic castors. Have a look at our before and after photos to see what we can do.

Cost Effective

Office furniture renovation can cut your expenses by up to 50%! As well as the obvious saving (no need to buy new furniture) you’ll also be eliminating costly disposal fees for your old furniture. We offer free advice and quotes to get you started, as well as free delivery within a 50 mile radius of Reading (T&Cs apply). Standard turnaround time is 7-10 business days, but our experienced professionals may be able to complete in a quicker timeframe if required. When it comes to French polishing, the job can be done on site in your office! Thorough cleaning is also covered in the cost so that your furniture is totally transformed. And the best news? All of these services are covered by a 12-month warranty, so you can rest easy knowing your pieces will stay intact.

Eco Friendly

As if you needed another reason to reupholster, here’s a great one: you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and your company’s impact on the environment. In the UK alone, more than 22 million items of furniture are thrown out each year, creating a huge amount of carbon dioxide emissions that could be avoided if we simply upcycled old or tired items. What’s more, keeping these items out of landfill prevents additional waste from being created during the manufacture of replacement items. When you renovate your furniture, you’re not only driving business and saving money, you’re also having a positive impact on our planet.

Ready to give your furniture a new lease of life?

Click here or call us on 0118 9883009 to talk to us about office furniture renovation and reupholstering.