Home office styling. Working from home design solutions
Over the past few years, how a large proportion of the population attend work has shifted from office based to home based. While there has been much that has been negative about the past few years, one thing that has really opened doors for many people is the pivot to working from home. It has given many the ability to live anywhere while still maintaining a “city” job, and has removed a number of stressors like long daily commutes. But if you are planning to work from home, just like in a standard office, you need to set yourself up for success to ensure you are comfortable and productive. This means creating an office space for yourself that is inspiring, ergonomic and tailored to your work needs.
While I am one who regularly chooses style over function, your office is one of those areas where I recommend favouring function over style. This is a place where you will be spending several hours at a time working on a computer, after all. While it’s important to love the look of the space you will be spending so much time in, it is vastly more important that the time spent in this space is safe and comfortable. In this post I will talk you through ways to achieve this.
Let start with the most obvious and most important item, your desk. You will need a sturdy desk that is large enough for your laptop or computer, plus mouse and keyboard as a minimum. Ideally wide enough so you can also have an area for writing, if required. You will also need a suitable chair, adequate lighting and a spot to store any work items you regularly use, such as calculators, pens, notebooks etc. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that choosing ergonomic means you have to settle for ugly. There are options for you that will tick both the style and comfort boxes! Let’s break it down below.
Desk
As mentioned above, you will need a desk that is large enough for your computer, mouse and keyboard, with enough room so you can also write, if required. This means that to be comfortable for extended periods of time at your desk, you ideally want a desk at least 100cm wide and 50cm deep. If you have room for a bigger desk, then definitely opt for larger. Desk height is important too. Do you have to sit, or can you invest in a desk that converts to a standing desk? Give it a try, your body will thank you for it! If you are thinking of installing a built-in desk, ensure you consider who will be using this area the most so the height is tailored to suit this person.
Chair
Do you select a chair that is stylish or a chair that is ergonomic? Do any exist that are both? Luckily there are options for those who want a chair that is both functional and stylish. Temple and Webster have some great options, as does Freedom. But one of my favourite office chairs right now is the Upright Office Chair from Koala. The simple design and fun colour options will suit so many interiors!
Lighting
Lighting is definitely one of those things that is often overlooked but is vital to creating an effective home office. Ideally you will have a layering of general lighting (ceiling lights) and task lighting (desk lamps), with the ability to adjust the amount of light received through windows throughout the day to reduce glare. This can simply be achieved with curtains or blinds. This is also important if you attend a lot of on-camera Zoom calls. You will want to be able to easily control the amount of light that is behind you so you can avoid dark shadows being cast across your face.
Storage
The home office is a space that can quickly get cluttered with paperwork, stationery, notebooks and other day to day items, so storage is key! If you have lots of items you use for work, then a place to store these when not in use will keep your workspace organised, and in turn, increase your productivity. Desks that have storage included will help you to avoid any build-up of clutter on top of the desk. If you have space, include a bookcase or shelving unit to keep larger office essentials tucked away. Adding a few decorative baskets or boxes to open shelved bookcases can avoid the shelves looking cluttered and are a perfect place to store your more unsightly items, such as hard drives and spare power cables. Low on space? Perhaps a small set of drawers will fit to one side under your desk. Or why not maximise your vertical space with some floating shelves?
Décor
You will be spending prolonged periods of time if your office so personalising the space is important to make you feel inspired and motivated. This should be a place you love spending time in (even if you don’t necessarily love your job) so choose pieces that uplift. Add artworks that you love in tones that reflect your personal style and home décor. This is also a fantastic place to try bold paint choices like a moody feature wall. Other items to include are rugs, decorative vases, inspiring coffee table books and indoor plants. If you are fortunate to have a large office, you might consider adding an armchair to create a cute reading nook. If you only have a small study nook, you can create the illusion of space by sticking with light colours and adding a decorative mirror. There are so many options for making the space unique to you. The sky is the limit.
Most importantly, make sure you take the time to set up your desk, chair and monitors in a way that is ergonomic and tailored to your body and height. A great resource is the Working from Home guide by Safe Work Australia.
Still feel like you need a bit of help to design a home office that is inspiring and tailored to your needs? We are experts at creating beautiful offices that will make you love getting up for work each day and have a styling package that will suit just about everyone. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you.