If someone had told you a few weeks ago that you would be working from home almost exclusively by spring - would you have made some changes to your home office? Perhaps you wouldn’t have needed too much - maybe you were move-in ready and just needed some finishing touches to get productive from your home workspace. Or maybe you’re reading this from your dining room table between meals, in the chair you’ve come to despise.
Either way, there’s never a time like the present to make change - and take control of your process. So if you’re looking for ways to improve the way you work from home, we’ve compiled some pieces that will let you get down to business, while giving you and your dining chairs some time to rethink your relationship.
Presenting Our Top Performers: Home Office
Productivity experts agree, separating your workspace from your living space is important. Sitting in a dedicated office area everyday signals to your brain that it is time to focus and get work done there - so you have a better chance of staying on task while working from home.
“The challenge of working from home has always been the distractions: the kids, the dog, the arrival of the mail - everything is calling out for our attention, and it’s almost impossible to get any real work done without planning a dedicated office space.”
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our top performers in the home office category to inspire your workspace planning.
Work Desks
So what makes a good work desk? Consider size, style, and storage. In general, the smaller the space you’re working with, the more clever the solution needs to be. That’s why desks for smaller spaces often do more than one thing and are also great to look at when you’re not using them - because they’re probably going to be a part of your living space as well.
For example, we absolutely love the Swish Console Desk by Blu Dot
What’s great about this piece is its willingness to adapt. It has a sliding top that separates the table into two sections, and each side has a concealing drawer, and cord management slot. It works as a desk, or as a console which gives it a lot of versatility for smaller home office setups. Shop here
Stash desk - by Blu Dot
Sleek and discreet - the Stash is Blu Dot’s first all-wood desk. It is also their best-priced desk, with a small footprint that lets you have a separate working area without giving up a lot of floor space.
It is available in more than a few color combinations and finishes, and even has a pencil drawer to keep the clutter to a minimum: Shop here
Strut Table - by Blu Dot
If you have a little more room to work with, the Strut table is a great option. Available in five colours and three sizes, there’s really no wrong answer here: shop here
Hitch Bookcase and Desk - by Blu Dot
Long and lean, the Hitch Bookcase and Desk is expandable, which we love - and the number of finishes and colors give this workspace serious adaptability.
Perfect for a combined living and working environment, the Hitch lets you focus on business when you need to - and then enjoy its lines from across the room when it’s time to disconnect.
Shop here
Seating
“Whether you are sitting down for 5 minutes, or 5 hours - comfort is key.” - Myrlene Sundberg (graphical quote box)
Now that you’ve explored some desk options, it’s time to consider where you’ll be sitting when the magic happens. Our favorite chairs are a balance between style and comfort - pieces that will please the eye (and your tush), as you build out your own unique space to live and work.
Here are some of our favorites:
Noomi Lounge Chair - by SoftLine 
Thick, plush - and elegantly dressed - the Noomi Lounge Chair is a go-to at the Urban Mode studio.
Perfect for curling up with a laptop or a cup of coffee, this chair is both comfort, and conversation-starter.
We also love that it comes with options - either the swivel base as shown in chrome or black, or a 4-legged base for those who like to think in place.
Shop here
Racer Dining Chair - by Blu Dot
We love the curves and sturdy frame on the Racer Dining Chair, and the fact that it comes in four different colours on a matching slimline steel base.
Good in the office, or the dining area, this is one piece you can rely on. And with 3 different height options you can make it your own in any number of combinations.
Shop here
Lounging
When it’s time to brainstorm, take a phone call, or simply collect your thoughts - you can count on these Urban Mode mainstays to bring your home office to the next level.
Sunday Sofa - by Blu Dot
The warm hug of the Sunday sofa is the perfect place to recharge between online meetings.
Let your mind wander, or work out a problem in total comfort. Perhaps a new snack idea will present itself - one never knows what the Sunday sofa will inspire.
Shop here
Note Side Table - by Blu Dot
This little tagalong is eager to please and will follow you anywhere. Its slim lines, and cantilevered design work anywhere you do - from the couch to the bed and beyond - ready to hold your device, your glasses, or a drink while you take care of business.
Shop here
“One thing that has become abundantly clear to me in the past few weeks, is that a lot of us thought we had a home office we could work from - but it was really just a token home office where we could answer some emails and communicate - not really a place to get serious work done.”
For better or worse, the home office is having its moment right now - let’s make it a place we love. Set yourself up for your best opportunities with a fresh look at your space. After all, according to one recent survey we spend almost 17,000 hours in an office chair during our lives. That’s a lot of time to spend wishing you were in a better chair.
