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
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.
2. Reduce, reuse, recycle
In return, this worker had to create a standing desk on top of his recycling bin.
But he has a nice view!
3. Adjustments
With just a stool, ironing board, and book to prop their laptop, this Twitter user managed to make some workable office space.
4. Co-working
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.
5. Wine at the 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!
6. Getting on the treadmill
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.
7. Dressed for success
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.
8. Upside-down options
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.
9. Daystand
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!
10. Dual-use
And if it’s cold, you can always turn on the dryer!
11. Mom’s house
Bonus points for parents who have plastic tablecloths around somewhere for after-work crumb clean-up!
12. Remote work
A thermos and a laptop are sometimes all you need for the new “nature break.”
13. Between the sheets
But hey, live out your dreams while you can. Then make the bed.
14. We’ve stooped to this
We’re all going to be appreating the great outdoors a lot more when this is over!
15. Patio meets office furniture
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.
16. Hey, look at me
But don’t worry, they’ll give you the opportunity to try to do both.
17. Height matters
Who said you needed a real desk?
18. Nice, fresh office
Just make sure you can handle all the jostling!
19. Who’s more comfortable?
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.
20. Barrel of fun
But wow, that’s a lot of screen!
21. Witnesses
This worker even managed to find a place for their cat beside – instead of on – them.
22. Guarding your territory
To be fair, they have no idea why you’re moving their furniture around.
23. Balancing act
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.
24. Making do
This looks like it requires kneeling – or at least typing with your arms up at shoulder level.
25. Cleaning regrets
If a space needs to become your office before you get a chance to organize it, things can get stressful.
26. Takeover
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!
27. A new way to recycle
A regular desk can become a standing desk if you have a box of the right height.
28. It’s all about angles
The right angle is the difference between a head-on shot and a view of a double chin.
29. Play it again, Sam
At least this worker can play a little tune when they need a break.
30. Stable employment
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.
31. Chairwoman
At least people are up on their feet!
32. Ironing out the plan
Some of these make us wish we hadn’t gotten rid of our ironing board – turns out it’s the perfect adjustable workspace!
33. Fair weather work
Just make sure to check the weather report first!
34. Detatched office
They can be a nice, quiet place to work – unless you’re faced with all the chores you should have done over the summer.
35. Table for one
The dining room table provides a great place to sit and work, even if it’s not the most elegant solution.
36. Harassment
Just be careful – because apparently sexual harrassment can happen at home as well.
37. Stack it up
Some of us are just doing it more dangerously.
38. Changes
All that kid furniture was worth the investment after all!
39. Distractions
Imagine trying to concentrate with those eyes begging for attention.
40. Musical chairs
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.