During lockdown we, like many others, were willing to pay over the odds for furniture to make working or learning from home easier and more comfortable. We ended up with a collection of ancient and/or cheap ugly desks which we were very glad to re-home as soon as everyone went back to school and work.
I know lots of people have chosen, or been, shall we say "heavily encouraged", to return to the actual office but there are still those like me who always worked from home, and those who were very happy to be able to negotiate full or partial WFH contracts after proving it could be done.
And of course there are always students who need a workspace and today's youngsters are much more style conscious so my uni desk which was battered, revarnished with a heavy hand and smelled weirdly of rotting fruit would not be up to scratch for modern learners.
Thankfully nowadays there is a lot more choice out there and even what used to be derided as "flat pack" can be as beautiful and well made as assembled furniture if you are careful to check that suppliers use quality materials have been used.
Talking of materials your home workspace will feel much more comfortable if the style aligns with the way you have the rest of your home decorated. A glass and metal desk might look out of place in a country cottage. Maybe you want to emphasis the changeover from home life to work time or possibly you'd like your desk to look like a beautiful piece of furniture which just happens to be suitable for working at. A quick browse through the selection of Gallery Direct Office Desks will prove that there is a style for every environment.
Whether you are working from home or studying, make sure you place your desk away from draughts and distractions. Some people love a window to gaze out of while they are thinking while others (me!) would be constantly distracted by the view or outside activity.
Think about adding something to make the space feel relaxing - maybe a plant, an aroma diffuser, a beautiful painting which inspires you or a family photo to help you minimise work stress.
Consider who much space you might need. This might be dictated by the gap you have to slot a desk into in which case ensure you are really thinking about whether you need something with additional space like a shelf or drawers if you need an area to hide paperwork and officer supplies or if you just need room for a laptop, lamp and coffee mug. The balance between home and work life will be much better if you can shut away work at the end of play and not glimpse it every time you walk past your desk.
Good light is important whether that's natural light or artificial lighting. If you choose a lamp you could use a smart plug or bulb programmed to turn on and off at the start and end of your chosen hours helping you avoid overworking - all too easy, especially if you are self employed like me.
A good chair is essential if you are using the desk for hours at a time. It should be at the correct height to work comfortably and give great spine support. An adjustable one would be perfect if you plan to share your workspace. And don't worry, modern office chairs don't necessarily have to look like you are a Bond villain about to spend the night video gaming and you can choose a variety or finishes to complement your desk.
Just planning to use your desk for life admin and card writing? You can be a little more relaxed and repurpose a chair you already have or pick something up which will enhance the area.
Only you really know what decor, style or positioning will help you stay calm while being productive so it's worth spending some time to think about what you need and what you like to create the perfect workspace.