The majority of the country now working from home, and those accustomed to an office environment have had to adapt quickly to a new routine.

While motivating yourself and avoiding distractions can be tricky - especially with family or flatmates around - there are lots of surprising perks about not having to go into the office.

Here are some of the greatest things about working from home.

  • No commute

Arguably the best thing about working from home is that you don’t need to worry about getting stuck in traffic or missing your bus - your office is now in the room next door.

You also save money on petrol, bus and train tickets and you even manage to get home earlier in the evening, because you’re already there.

  • Long-lie ins

Alongside not worrying about your commute is the added bonus of getting longer in bed because you don’t need to set your alarm for 6am to get into the office for 9am!

Instead, you can get an extra couple of hours of sleep and feel more rested and ready for the working day - but do try and avoid waking up five minutes before you’re meant to start work.

Make sure to give yourself time to really enjoy the morning, perhaps with a nice breakfast and a cup of coffee.

  • Comfy chairs

Getting started on that long overdue piece of work can be made a little sweeter now you’re working from home. Choosing your favourite spot on the sofa or adding a comfy cushion to your desk chair will help you feel more at ease whilst you work. 

If you can avoid working from your bedroom it will help you to create boundaries between work and relaxation time. 

  • Better lunch options

Does your lunch canteen leave something to be desired? Perhaps the selection isn’t that great, or maybe it’s a bit too expensive.

Or are you trapped in the cycle of bringing the same tin of soup or clingfilmed sandwich from home?

Well, no need to worry about that anymore - now, your lunch options are limitless. With access to a proper kitchen, you can make whatever you want for your lunch … Maybe even sneak in an episode of your favourite series. 

  • Freedom to wear what you want

If you’re used to wearing an uncomfortable suit or painful high heels all day, then no need to worry about that any more.

Working from home, you can wear whatever you like.

And while nobody can stop you from wearing your pajamas all day, getting too comfy could make it tricky to get into ‘work mode’.

Try a compromise with a comfy jumper and slippers, or use this time as the perfect opportunity to try out that dress you’ve been wanting to wear! 

  • Control the temperature

Do you find your office too hot? Too cold? Too noisy? Maybe even too quiet?

Working from home allows you to customise your environment exactly the way you’d like it. Stick on the heating or open that window.

No matter how you like to work, you can set it up exactly the way you want without worrying about your co-workers complaining about it.

  • Turn the music up

You might be used to sticking your headphones on at work, or maybe listening to music at work is frowned upon in your office.

But now that you’re working from home, you can blast out your favourite playlist to keep yourself motivated or put on something relaxing to ease the day’s stress.

Either way, the choice is yours.

  • Stay on top of chores

Are you used to coming home from a long day at work only to be greeted by the dirty dishes you left from the night before, or the ever-growing pile of laundry you’ve been putting off doing?

Working from home, you can tick off those daily to-do tasks. Stick on a load of laundry between meetings, or tackle the dishes on your lunch hour.

  • Save money

Whatever money you’d be spending, on lunch, your mid-day cup of coffee or travel, you won’t be spending at home. 

It’ll be easier for you to save money working from home because you’ll have less temptation to splurge on something when you’re at the office.

If you fancy a sweet treat or cup of coffee, you can just head to your kitchen, free of charge!

  • Spend more time with loved-ones

You’re still working so of course you can’t just hang out with your family or partner all day, but working from home does allow you to check in a bit more often.

You can have lunch with them or take a 10 minute coffee break and see how their day is going.

Alternatively, if you live by yourself, you can take time to FaceTime or call your loved ones without having the office listening in on your call.

  • Look after your pets

If you have a dog or a cat, or any pet for that matter, the worst part of your morning is probably seeing their face when you leave for work.

Working from home makes hanging out with your pets a lot easier - and make sure they aren’t getting up to mischief.

  • No office distractions

Once you get settled into a working from home routine, you might actually find you’re being more productive being away from the office.

You have no co-workers stopping by for a quick question that turns into a 30-minute chat when you really need to be getting on with your work.

Working from home lets you put on that ‘do not disturb’ sign without hurting anyone’s feelings.

  • It doesn’t matter if it’s raining

How many times have you finished work, only to look out the window and realise it’s absolutely pouring it down?

Then you’ve had to run out to your car, stand under a dripping bus stop, or crack out the umbrella only to get home soggy and miserable?

Well, there’s no need to worry about that with working from home - at the end of the day, you simply close down your computer and work phone and you’re already home, so put your feet up!