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As millions of people are now working from home for their own safety and that of their fellow citizens, we’ve seen a lot more people post photos of their “work-from-home” (or WFH) set-ups.

But if your setup isn’t a mahogany desk with a designer chair or a bright white space with a thoughtfully placed vase of peonies, you’re not alone!

A great thread started this month thanks to designer and developer Jules Forrest who encouraged people on Twitter to share some of their less-than-glam home setups. Many of the photos that follow are from her thread.

Sure, we’re happy for all the people who have a decent place to do their jobs. But it’s also a relief to know that plenty of other people understand what it’s like to prop up laptops on kitchen counters or set up their workspace in view of where their kids play.

The struggle is real – and these 75 photos prove that some of us are just doing what we can to make do until it’s safe to congregate again.

1. The original Tweet

It is nice to see pretty things while scrolling through social media, but it’s also important to see the truth.

Forrest started a long thread of home setups that proved most people don’t have the space to work at home (even though, yes, they’re lucky to be able to do it).

Her’s is a chair and a hamper near the front door.

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@julesforrest/Twitter Source: @julesforrest/Twitter

2. Reduce, reuse, recycle

We remote workers are all lucky in some way (sometimes just for having a job), but there are even people who get the benefit of sunlight!

In return, this worker had to create a standing desk on top of his recycling bin.

But he has a nice view!

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@joshmateo/Twitter Source: @joshmateo/Twitter

3. Adjustments

Hey, if you’ve ever looked at your ironing board and wondered why you still have it, now’s your chance to put it to work!

With just a stool, ironing board, and book to prop their laptop, this Twitter user managed to make some workable office space.

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@lifeincapitals/Twitter Source: @lifeincapitals/Twitter

4. Co-working

Sigh. A familiar sight.

Many of us are now coworkers with those in our homes and, let’s face it, some of them are real slackers. Others will just straight-up get in your way to prevent you from doing work.

But if you’re lucky, some will let you use them as a desk.

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@SofiAmeli/Twitter Source: @SofiAmeli/Twitter

5. Wine at the ready

Many people had just moved when they were told they’d need to work from home and their apartments and houses weren’t quite ready.

Nevertheless, they made due.

This person managed to create a workspace out of a folding chair and kitchen storage table.

The good news is she won’t have to get up to get a glass of wine!

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@miamiamarie/Twitter Source: @miamiamarie/Twitter

6. Getting on the treadmill

Who needs a fancy treadmill desk when you have a block of wood? Not this worker!

We’re a little jealous of their ability to walk and do work at the same time. We can barely work and do work at the same time.

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@twiztwit/Twitter Source: @twiztwit/Twitter

7. Dressed for success

It might not be the best ergonomic choice – depending on your height – but standing at your dresser might be the only option if you don’t have a lot of space and your bedroom is the only private place in the house.

Lots of people might sit in their beds. But if you’ve ever tried, you know a person’s back can only last so long like that.

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@labadorer/Twitter Source: @labadorer/Twitter

8. Upside-down options

When you need a little height, you might look to a stack of books or other solid things.

But if you don’t have enough of those lying around, consider turning some items over and using their flat bottoms as a desk.

Is the laundry basket desk posh? No. Will it get the job done in a pinch? You bet!

The flower pot is also a great idea.

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@sabrina_monarch/Twitter Source: @sabrina_monarch/Twitter

9. Daystand

Just because they call it a nightstand doesn’t mean you can’t repurpose it.

Kudos to this guy for getting dressed for work too – that makes it a lot less likely you’ll want to plop into bed and take a nap!

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@LaLorenz/Twitter Source: @LaLorenz/Twitter

10. Dual-use

It’s probably hard to get laundry done at the same time, but if you can find an adjustable seat, a washing machine might provide a nice, flat space to do your work.

And if it’s cold, you can always turn on the dryer!

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@kateyyan/Twitter Source: @kateyyan/Twitter

11. Mom’s house

Mom’s house (providing you’re healthy) might be the best place to set up shop.

Bonus points for parents who have plastic tablecloths around somewhere for after-work crumb clean-up!

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@MariBMagdalene/Twitter Source: @MariBMagdalene/Twitter

12. Remote work

If you can find an isolated place outdoors, more power to you.

A thermos and a laptop are sometimes all you need for the new “nature break.”

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@corneett/Twitter Source: @corneett/Twitter

13. Between the sheets

The idea of working from bed sounds great – until you actually do it for a week.

But hey, live out your dreams while you can. Then make the bed.

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@skuwamoto/Twitter Source: @skuwamoto/Twitter

14. We’ve stooped to this

Sometimes all you need is a stoop, a drink, and a little outdoor exposure to refresh your brain.

We’re all going to be appreating the great outdoors a lot more when this is over!

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@DJ_Babayaga/Twitter Source: @DJ_Babayaga/Twitter

15. Patio meets office furniture

Sunshine looks great, but this is a backache waiting to happen.

Lots of us are learning that while being tied to our desks in an office is no fun, it’s often better for our body alignment.

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@PureWaste/Twitter Source: @PureWaste/Twitter

16. Hey, look at me

Dogs don’t understand why you’re staring at something that isn’t them.

But don’t worry, they’ll give you the opportunity to try to do both.

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@_mathieson_/Twitter Source: @_mathieson_/Twitter

17. Height matters

It’s not a regular fridge nor a tiny mini fridge, but it’s the perfect height for this worker’s laptop.

Who said you needed a real desk?

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@JuiceboxCA/Twitter Source: @JuiceboxCA/Twitter

18. Nice, fresh office

Why not get two things done at once by turning your laudry room into an office?

Just make sure you can handle all the jostling!

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@BAE_leee/Twitter Source: @BAE_leee/Twitter

19. Who’s more comfortable?

Pets seem to be the real winners in all of this.

If you have a cat at home, you know that you need a dedicated space that they enjoy unless you want them on your lap, keyboard, open book, etc.

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@PussycatNaughty/Twitter Source: @PussycatNaughty/Twitter

20. Barrel of fun

Some people have more eclectic items in their homes to draw from when making their makeshift offices.

But wow, that’s a lot of screen!

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@BNNERMAN/Twitter Source: @BNNERMAN/Twitter

21. Witnesses

Sometimes the coffee table and couch are the best we can do – especially if having the TV on doesn’t distract you.

This worker even managed to find a place for their cat beside – instead of on – them.

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@ORlyYahRly/Twitter Source: @ORlyYahRly/Twitter

22. Guarding your territory

Even the best makeshift office setups can easily be ruined by a stubborn pet.

To be fair, they have no idea why you’re moving their furniture around.

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@jessicaroberts/Twitter Source: @jessicaroberts/Twitter

23. Balancing act

If one laundry basket won’t do the trick, two might!

And it looks like there’s enough clothing in there to keep it relatively stable.

Still, we might want to look around for some zip ties to keep the office from falling apart.

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@theceewigga/Twitter Source: @theceewigga/Twitter

24. Making do

Massage threapists are going to be booked out for months after all of these alternative seating arrangements.

This looks like it requires kneeling – or at least typing with your arms up at shoulder level.

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@laryssacaye/Twitter Source: @laryssacaye/Twitter

25. Cleaning regrets

Sometimes it’s been a while since you’ve had a chance to clean.

If a space needs to become your office before you get a chance to organize it, things can get stressful.

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@lexisnotinlove/Twitter Source: @lexisnotinlove/Twitter

26. Takeover

In many homes, the one room with a real desk belongs to the kid.

That means a lot of parents are working around a pile of toys right now.

And the kids can’t be happy about it either!

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@rpavic/Twitter Source: @rpavic/Twitter

27. A new way to recycle

Any boxes people can find are being repurposed as furniture.

A regular desk can become a standing desk if you have a box of the right height.

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@a_fariadesign/Twitter Source: @a_fariadesign/Twitter

28. It’s all about angles

Those of us who have to attend Zoom meetings and other online video calls know that it’s still important to look your best.

The right angle is the difference between a head-on shot and a view of a double chin.

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@drnabil/Twitter Source: @drnabil/Twitter

29. Play it again, Sam

Not only are kids giving up some space in their rooms for working parents, but sometimes a toy has to be sacrificed as well.

At least this worker can play a little tune when they need a break.

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@nathanhood/Twitter Source: @nathanhood/Twitter

30. Stable employment

As long as you can keep things from toppling down, you’re all good.

Many of us are finding ways to make standing desks not only for exercise, but because we simply don’t have a comfortable enough chair to sit in for hours at a time.

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@meetmahamuni/Twitter Source: @meetmahamuni/Twitter

31. Chairwoman

Who needs to sit in a chair when you can use it as part of your desk?

At least people are up on their feet!

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@gregor_lawrence/Twitter Source: @gregor_lawrence/Twitter

32. Ironing out the plan

This thread made a lot of people feel better about their WFH arrangements.

Some of these make us wish we hadn’t gotten rid of our ironing board – turns out it’s the perfect adjustable workspace!

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@sineadcochrane/Twitter Source: @sineadcochrane/Twitter

33. Fair weather work

Working outside can be good for you in lots of ways.

Just make sure to check the weather report first!

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@MilesPerHoward/Twitter Source: @MilesPerHoward/Twitter

34. Detatched office

A lot of people are wishing they had cleaned out their garages right about now.

They can be a nice, quiet place to work – unless you’re faced with all the chores you should have done over the summer.

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@teagansirseet/Twitter Source: @teagansirseet/Twitter

35. Table for one

Lots of workers are either going to be packing up their offices a couple of times a day to allow for family meals or else allowing people to eat elsewhere in the house.

The dining room table provides a great place to sit and work, even if it’s not the most elegant solution.

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@chaotic_calming/Twitter Source: @chaotic_calming/Twitter

36. Harassment

It’s not good for your back to lay on the floor, but sometimes you just have to switch positions for a bit.

Just be careful – because apparently sexual harrassment can happen at home as well.

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@Wandster/Twitter Source: @Wandster/Twitter

37. Stack it up

We’re all balancing a lot right now.

Some of us are just doing it more dangerously.

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@acrutch5/Twitter Source: @acrutch5/Twitter

38. Changes

Any table can become a desk – even a changing table.

All that kid furniture was worth the investment after all!

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@rad3ks/Twitter Source: @rad3ks/Twitter

39. Distractions

While giving your pet some attention throughout the day is good for both of you, some pets become a little insistent.

Imagine trying to concentrate with those eyes begging for attention.

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@cybersylum/Twitter Source: @cybersylum/Twitter

40. Musical chairs

Rearranging rooms in the new procrastination tool.

But most of us just don’t have the right kind of space to suddenly turn our homes into offices and will just have to make do with some non-ideal arrangements.

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