As technology continues to evolve, an increasing number of people are opting to work from home, with many organisations now accepting remote working as a natural part of the working week.
But working from home can have its drawbacks, particularly if you don’t intentionally create separation between your home life and work life. And one of the most effective ways to do this is with a home office design that provides the space you need to be inspired and productive at work, before signing off and transitioning into personal time.
In this 3-part series, we’re sharing creative ideas to help you envision the perfect home office that combines design, style and ergonomics to provide the ideal home working environment for you.
Let’s begin with 3 valuable design tips for conceptualising your new home office…
A dedicated home office can fill an entire spare room in your home, or utilise a simple wall or corner in a hallway, living room or bedroom.
The benefit of fitted furniture over bought furniture is particularly relevant for home offices, because you want to create a space that inspires you to do your best work within the limitations of your home.
For example, you may require a narrow desk that folds up into a wall to maximise space when you’re not working. Or, you may want to make space for you and your partner to work with an elongated wrap-around desk. You may prefer to work in an area that lacks existing lighting, or underneath a window that provides a beautiful view of the outdoors.
This and more is possible with a bespoke home office that incorporates clever solutions to seemingly impossible challenges and meets the unique requirements of the space you most wish to work in.
So in choosing the perfect area for your new home office, be guided by where you want to work, what makes sense for your family, and what gives you the most privacy to be productive…not whether a mass produced product will fit.
Once you’ve found the perfect space, think about the type of equipment you plan to use in your home office.
- Do you have a desktop computer or a laptop?
- Do you need to accommodate a printer?
- Do you frequently have papers that need filing?
- Do you often use your mobile or listen to music while you work?
A custom home office design caters to the needs of your equipment and your personal working style, with clever inclusions such as hidden filing cabinets, pull out printers, pull up power docks for cabling, and nifty accessories such as USB or Bluetooth mobile phone chargers embedded in your desk.
To ensure ample lighting, cool LED spotlights can also be fitted under top cabinets to improve visibility and concentration.
What additions would you make to a home office if you could have anything your heart desires?
Perhaps you love to jot down ideas quickly, or pin up notes to track your projects. Perhaps you love to categorise your pens, or wish you had a dedicated space to separate papers.
From experience, we know store bought products pale in comparison to the unique additions you can make to a custom home office, such as a glass splashback with a white vinyl back that wipes crystal clear (unlike a standard whiteboard), or a Forbo pinboard which is more stylish and enduring than a generic corkboard.
From the perfect-sized desk to ample storage with stylish cupboards and shelving, and clever accessories offering next level functionality, your home office should include all the elements you need to form an organised and efficient system that helps you do your best work.
Join us next month for creative ideas on styling your home office with colours, textures and materials that inspire imagination and focus.
To speak with one of our expert designers about designing a home office that helps you achieve the perfect work/life balance, call us on 1300 366 222.
