If you have a desk job, there’s a good chance you’re now used to working from home. When the pandemic hit in 2020 and businesses closed their doors, many of us had to turn our dining tables into desks as WFH became a daily reality across the country. It was a strange novelty at first, but (after getting the hang of Zoom) many of us were quick to realise that we can be can just as productive at home – and being there has plenty of other benefits too, from spending more time with loved ones to avoiding the crowds at rush hour. So much so that when the world resumed its normal pace, it wasn’t strictly business as usual.

Today, countless companies have shifted away from the stiff nine-to-five structure in favour of flexibility. “We’ve realised that a more fluid way of working is incredibly efficient,” says Giles Miller, the architect behind this contemporary house in Kent, who recently decided to forgo having a permanent office for his practice entirely. “For me, being at home and jumping in and out of childcare is really beneficial – and my team has a lot of freedom too.” They’re able to work whenever suits them, for instance, whether that’s early in the morning or late at night. “It’s important to work in ways that have a positive impact on people,” he continues. “It’s about human sustainability. If everyone’s happy, we all do our best when we’re on the job.”

Architect Fahad Malik, meanwhile, has “a unique set-up”, living in High Street House, a mixed-use residential building designed, developed and operated by Noiascape, which gives him access to “a dedicated workspace as well as a studio flat in the same building”. When we visited for Issue No.5 of our magazine, we were struck by the radical design of the studio’s façade, which appears like a shopfront. “It feels semi-public. I think that’s important for productivity,” Fahad says. For him, WFH also gives the gift of time. “It’s the most valuable resource we have,” he says. “We save hours a week that would have been spent commuting. This extra time can be used to slow down, which encourages creativity in the long term.”

It’s important to note, however, that the rise of homeworking happened amid a climate emergency. It might seem like we’re doing our bit for the planet by avoiding driving to work, for example, but it’s not that straightforward. Although there was a 15-20 per cent reduction in total electricity demand in the UK in the initial months of the pandemic, a 2020 study revealed domestic-energy consumption is on the increase, while another report discovered that households where people WFH use 25 per cent more electricity and 17 per cent more gas per day than those that don’t. Plus, the carbon footprint of our laptops, phones and the internet – essential WFH tools – accounted for roughly 3.7 per cent of global greenhouse emissions in 2020, a figure that is expected to double by 2025.

But WFH can also present a golden opportunity to do better – and there is a whole host of wonderful ways we can improve our well-being while making a positive impact on the world. Here, people from our community share their expert advice on how to be more mindful when WFH, from lunchtime tips to bright energy-saving ideas.

Get set

When it comes to WFH, having the right set-up is of utmost importance. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing all sorts of creative home offices over the past few years – one of our favourites being Hugh Strange’s self-built studio. “It was located across a small courtyard from the house I designed for my family,” which sold through The Modern House. “For a long time – particularly during the pandemic – working closely but at one remove from the house provided the perfect configuration of work and home. I could focus within a space undistracted by the bustle of family life while being on hand to share childcare.”

Similarly, Giles Miller has carved out separate working spaces at his home, currently on the market with Inigo. “My wife and I have an office that can be closed off from the rest of the house and a small workshop at the end of the garden for my tools and prototypes.” If you don’t have the footprint for totally separate spaces, Giles says there are small things you can do to create “some kind of subversion from your day-to-day life”, such as using nifty shelving units as room dividers that you can fill with your best-loved books. Another easy trick is to position your desk away from your living spaces and towards an inspiring view.

Lunch time

One of our favourite things about WFH is that we can make delicious lunches – but how can we be sure we’re eating well and doing good? Safia Shakarchi, founder of Another Pantry, says start by sourcing seasonal ingredients from your local grocer or farmers’ market. “It’s a great way to support smaller businesses and eat tastier, more nutritious food.” If this option isn’t available to you, Safia suggests taking a closer look at the labels in supermarkets. “If something’s flown in from halfway across the world, ask yourself if you can choose something grown closer to home.” Subscription fruit-and-veg boxes, meanwhile, “from somewhere like Riverford or Oddbox are great when you’re strapped for time or have a big family to feed.”

Anything made with legumes and pulses such as beans, peas, lentils are brilliant for bulk lunches, says Safia. “They’re great sources of protein and are generally less water-intensive than livestock.” One of her go-to weekday salads is chickpeas with chopped cherry tomatoes, leftover veg, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and flaky sea salt. “It’s delicious, simple and filling,” she says –and it doesn’t require any extra gas or electricity. And “when you’re stuck for ideas, there’s always toast, which is a great way to use leftovers by having them on top. The possibilities are endless, especially if you’ve got a stash of sliced sourdough in the freezer.”

Safia also recommends making time for food too. “Don’t always go for the quickest meal. Make the most of your lunch hour by using cooking as a way to switch off from work.” By closing our laptops for 60 minutes every day we can save energy, cut costs on utility bills and lower emissions. The green-fingered among us might even take this opportunity to grow their own produce. “If we enjoy our food more we’ll be more inclined to make small but mighty changes to our habits and diet, which positively impact our own lives and the planet,” Safia advises.

Energy levels

WFH has completely changed the way we consume energy. There’s increased demand for water and electricity due to changes in our personal routines and therefore it’s crucial that we pay closer attention to our energy consumption. As Giles says, turning lights off and radiators down in the middle of the day can help. If you do want to make a bigger gesture, why not consider switching to an energy-efficient provider and employing smart meters? Even little things, such as unplugging electronics when they’re fully charged, can make a noticeable difference.

Another way to reduce carbon emissions is to work in the brightest and warmest corners of your home. Hugh Strange constructed his former studio using cross-laminated timber, which has a high thermal performance. “There is a lovely warmth to the space,” he says, thanks also to “windows on both sides”. Sitting near a window is something Safia does too when WFH. “Natural light always makes me feel a little more uplifted and energised throughout the day,” she explains. “And it means I don’t have to turn the lights when I don’t need them.” Simply moving around your home with the sun is a bright way to reduce carbon emissions.

Community hub

For Fahad, WFH means spending more time with the people that matter. “I appreciate days when my partner or people in our block are also using our shared workspace, as we can informally check in with each other throughout the day,” he says. “This feels communally supportive in ways that a typical office environment can’t always be.” But it also gives you more of a chance to come together with people in your local neighbourhood too. “Sometimes renting in London can feel precarious, making your home feel temporary. It’s a lot more fulfilling to invest time and money in your local area, supporting small businesses and getting to know your neighbours.”

Safia agrees. “Think of the people around you,” she says, making a case for using leftover lunches to introduce yourself to those living nearby. “If you’ve made too much of something you know you won’t be eating at home for the next few days, why not take some of it over to your neighbours? One of the most beautiful things about food is the potential it has to build relationships – and when you’re working from home, there’s an opportunity to connect with the community around you.”