Research has shown that at the height of the lockdown 60% of the workforce were working from home. Even when the summer saw the government encourage people back into the office, figures showed that only one in six made the switch. Of course, that recommendation was short lived and now people are being encouraged to stay at home if they can.
For many people working at home is just not possible, including our wonderful key workers who have done us so proud over recent months. But for those who could stay at home it’s often been a mixed blessing. Whilst schools were closed it was a juggle for working parents, but even without that challenge, many missed the interaction and separation working outside the home brings. For others they relished the lack of commute and the ability to Zoom call instead of travelling for face to face meetings. And, of course, it’s always good being able to work in your pyjamas or to be able to nip off for five minutes to hang the washing out.
There has been much debate around whether people will continue to work from home after the pandemic, and of course no one has a crystal ball. One survey showed 26% of Brits plan to continue to work from home permanently or occasionally after lockdown. Most people seem to think a combination of working locations will become the norm – with companies being more laid back about letting people work remotely, and employees enjoying more occasional opportunities to get together with colleagues and clients when needed.
How much someone has enjoyed working from home will often come down to the space available to work in. Those who have a comfy desk to work at with an attractive view are far more likely to feel positive about the situation than those working sat on a bed or sofa. If home working is to become more permanent, it would need to involve the creation of a definite workspace.
We’ve had lots of self-storage enquiries from individuals looking to undertake renovations in their home to create an office – or even to just create room for a simple desk. Some are converting box rooms or conservatories, others have found a little nook and cranny for a desk under the stairs – and others are going the whole hog and extending or converting a garage. Of course there’s always the possibility of a garden office if you have the outdoor space.
Self-storage can be a great help whilst work, be it building or redecorating, is going on at home. Being able to remove all the furniture to a safe place while that work is ongoing takes away a lot of the hassle of living in a house piled high with stuff. Some people use the storage space as a temporary ‘sorting room’ so you can figure out what you actually want to move back into the home, or while waiting to sell items.
We have storage centres in Leeds, Wakefield, Harrogate, York and Huddersfield and all come with ample free parking, security and units which vary in size to meet your needs. And we’re very flexible, working with you to make sure you have exactly what you need.
Another option to get round the ‘working from home’ dilemma is to hire a small business space to use outside of the home. Many businesses use our self-storage units for that purpose – they’re a great place to store stock and ‘pick and pack’, for example. We can even provide WiFi, power and heating if needed. We also have a business centre in Leeds and in York with offices suitable for one-man bands and small teams. It comes with the benefits of meeting rooms, a reception desk who can answer your calls, and that feeling of actually being ‘at work’ (we don’t provide that – it comes from you!)
If the working environment 2021 is going to look a lot different, why not get ahead of the game now? Get in touch to find out more about our self-storage and business centre offerings.