Whether we're working from home or in the office, one thing is for sure: video conferencing calls are here to stay! As we Zoom our way into this era of working, we can't be caught Slacking on appearance - especially within shot of the camera! Regardless of where you're working, here are our top 5 tips and things to consider that will help you look your best:

An increasing number of professionals around the world are working remotely (at least part-time) for the near future. Because most employees didn't have the time to prepare for this big change, many of us weren't prepared with the tools we needed to make working remotely efficient. Even if you have moved on from your kitchen table and now have a proper desk and chair, it's important to remember that we all need a bit of time for ourselves and our health (including mental) needs to be a priority. Here's some ways you can get creative with your self-care strategies.

The numbers don't lie: your team wants to return to the workplace, at least part-time. Whether it's a hybrid model (as we're seeing with our schools), back in phases, or whatever format fits your needs, we know the office isn't dead, and you're likely planning for a future where your team can collaborative safely together.

But, like many of our clients, you're probably facing some up-hill battles and complexities that don't make your return a breeze. How do you rearrange desks and workstations? Do you put up plexiglass dividers or barriers? How will your team be able to exist and work safely in one space, and what will you do to ensure their safety is above all else?

So, you're taking a look at your workplace, and you're realizing something: now that people are working remotely (part-time or fully), and now that people in the workplace are distanced and separated, you're left with too much furniture for current needs. 

Are you going back to the office occasionally, part-time, or in shifts? You may notice something pretty quickly: while the way we work has changed, your office layout hasn't. Unused desks, chairs, tables, conference areas, etc. are plentiful, and even though we're sitting 6+ feet apart from others, empty chairs in-between make us feel a greater distance, a glaring visual reminder of our new normal.

When our work style changes, our workplaces have to adapt accordingly. So... what do we do with the furniture we don't need right now?

It's the question on many minds: "when my team returns to the office, what will that look like?" Think about your space for a moment. Will you need all of the furniture you have? What will you do if you have too much or too little? How are you arranging your space to keep safe distances, and how will you keep that space clean and safe for your team?

It's the question on every parent's mind: "How will my child stay safe and healthy in a school environment?"

As our children prepare for the school year, we know things will be different. Whether they're fully remote, fully in-school, or a hybrid of both, our learning environments are going to look and feel a little different, but that doesn't mean they have to distract from a child's learning! In these fast-changing times, we're staying attentive to the latest research to design safer classrooms with the right kind of furniture and technology to help keep our kids as safe as they can be. Check out what some of our schools are adopting to make safer spaces:

You need to make a phone call, but you don't want to disturb the whole office. You need a soundproof space to work or call from, but that just doesn't exist in your current area (or at least, not without leaving the building). Maybe you need a quick team huddle, virtually or in-person, and you don't want others to overhear, to disrupt anyone else, or to be disturbed by ambient noises.

In theory, an inexpensive big-box store chair for your home office might make sense. They're typically a less-expensive option, and who cares if they're not that comfortable or if they break - they're cheap to replace, right? Think again.

More than likely, you're going to have to make some changes to your workplace in order to safely return to the office. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting services, new safety signage and guidelines, and even rearrangement of your space to give 6-foot distances between your workers - they're all ways we're helping our clients get back to the workplace, but what will your unique space look like? How will you make it work in a way that looks great, works well, and doesn't break the bank?