The home office is a place where function often triumphs over form – but we believe you don’t need to sacrifice one to achieve the other. Creating a workspace that looks and feels good will mean you’ll want to spend time there, so you’ll get more work done.
How to make a space for a workspace
Unlike in the past, when a home office required a printer, fax machine, phone and filing cabinets for all that paperwork, today’s working spaces can be as simple as a nook in the kitchen where you perch your laptop. If you don’t have the luxury of a spare room to transform into a home office, here’s how to steal space from another room.
Where to set up shop
Think about how you work best. Some of us need silence and calm, whereas others prefer to have their desk in a common space so they can keep an eye on the kids, or on the dinner in the oven.
If all you need is a place to do home admin and send a few emails, a fold-down secretary desk built into custom cabinetry in the kitchen might do the trick, or you might feel perfectly happy at the dining table – just make sure you keep a nearby drawer clear so you can sweep your paraphernalia into it when you sign off at the end of the day.
If you need a bit more space, consider squeezing a desk into a hallway, under the stairs or on the landing of your stairwell, or you might have an alcove in the living area or a workbench in the laundry that would suffice.
If it’s important to you that you can shut the door on work, carve out space for a ‘cloffice’, or closet office, in a hall cupboard or bedroom wardrobe. Need even more separation between home and work – even if your commute is only a 10-second walk? Maybe it’s time to clean up that shed or cabin languishing in the garden and move out there.
Shop our favourite desks
The success of your work-from-home space depends a lot on the desk you choose
Work-life balance
To make your workspace feel integrated with your home, deck it out in colours and materials that echo the rest of the room. If your desk is in your living area, choose a desk chair with a bit of style so it can be used as spare seating. If your office is in a cupboard or nook, you might want to line the back wall with wallpaper for visual interest, add open shelves and even install a downlight in the closet ceiling.
Converting a room into a home office
If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated room for your home office, here’s how to give it a glow-up.
Office attire
Use colours that make you feel welcomed when you sit down to start work. Remember that blues and greens tend to be calming and improve your concentration and efficiency, whereas reds, oranges and yellows are energising and stimulating when used in moderation. Add texture, warmth and sound cushioning with a rug under the desk.
If you have room, add a comfy armchair or a day bed as an alternative spot to curl up with your laptop, and a meeting table for when you feel like a change of scenery.
Use vertical space – install open shelves or a pinboard above the desk to prevent clutter on the desk surface. Display keepsakes and collections to personalise your space, and as a final touch, light a scented candle – citrus, rosemary, jasmine and cinnamon scents are thought to help with focus and concentration.
The front desk
Desk placement is key for a functional office. If you find it claustrophobic sitting at a desk that faces into a wall, consider spinning it around so you face back out into the room.
Shop our favourite desk chairs
If you’re going to splurge on anything, choose a comfortable chair
These days, you don’t just need to think about what you’ll be looking at when you’re sitting at your desk – you also need to consider what your clients and workmates will be seeing behind you when you’re on a video call. Curate a backdrop that communicates your personal brand – whether that’s shelves of legal tomes, a green wall of plants or a well-chosen artwork. Yes, most video-call apps offer virtual backgrounds, but you don’t want to live in fear that one day it might cut out and show your most important client your piles of laundry.
Health & safety audit
If you’re going to be spending a bit of time working from home, your workspace must be set up ergonomically. Invest in an adjustable-height desk so you can alternate between sitting and standing, and make sure you can raise or lower the height of your chair so you have your feet flat on the floor and your eyes level with the top of your computer screen. Add a footrest or prop your computer up on extra height if necessary.
The filing room
Plan adequate storage for your needs – how much you require will vary depending on how far you’ve managed to progress down the path to the ‘paperless office’. If an under-desk console or old-school filing cabinet feels too formal for you, use open shelves or cubbies with baskets and pretty folders.
The IT Department
It’s not a good idea to work hunched over a small laptop screen and trackpad all day – so get yourself an external keyboard and mouse, and prop your laptop up so it’s at eye level, or mirror it to a larger external screen.
Shop our favourite home office accessories
Adding a few accessories to your space can make it more productive
Hastings Table Lamp
MX Creative Console
SoundLink Max Portable Speaker
Desk Caddy with Handle
Make sure you have a strong wifi connection – if not, get a wireless range extender. You’ll also need power points close at hand and maybe a power board. Avoid cheap imported chargers, which can catch fire, and don’t leave electronics charging overnight or when you’re not around. Smoke alarms are also essential.
Aim for a combination of gentle, ambient lighting and brighter task lighting. An Anglepoise desk lamp is a practical and stylish solution. Prepare for every eventuality, with a fan for sweltering summer days and a heater for the depths of winter, and if you enjoy music while you work, invest in a Bluetooth speaker.
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