For the latest in our Design Studio series, Megan Doherty, senior client account manager at Edward Thomas Interiors, discusses working from home spaces. From stylish home offices to space-saving work stations, Meg shares her insight on making room for creativity and productivity…
Where should I locate my home office?
A spare bedroom is the most popular choice, mostly because it offers a dedicated, private space that can be shut away at the end of the day, creating that all-important distinction between work and home life. Remember, your office has to suit your profession, so think about whether you need room to write, draw, research, experiment, reference, collaborate? All will place different demands on how you configure your space so make sure you prioritise what’s right for you.
I’m using a spare bedroom to work from home, how can I maximise the space?
Start by positioning your desk at a right angle to the window. This will ensure a good balance of natural light without too much glare on your screen.
Then, try not to overcrowd the rest of the room. In bedrooms, there is typically unexploited space under the window, so perhaps add a thin console table here as an extra surface. Use the wall and floor space for shelving or stacked storage boxes – keeping surfaces clear will help make the room feel more spacious.
You’ll also likely want an alternative seat, perhaps to make phone calls or read documents. My favourite option for this is a day bed, not only can it be a comfortable and cosy place to rest but it means visiting friends and family still have a place to stay.
I live in a one bedroom apartment, what are my work options?
So for open-plan homes, I recommend creating a work station. You don’t want this to dominate the room, so seek out a well-lit spot, perhaps a corner, alcove or nook, somewhere that might have only been a transitional or “dead” space.
Your styling for this station can be distinctive as you want to establish it as its own “zone”. This can be with a physical differentiator, like a small screen or partition, or more subtly with a wall treatment such as a painted colour block, feature wallpaper strip, or even a living wall! Furniture options for open-plan work stations have become really imaginative too, so consider ladder or foldaway desks, floating or full-height shelving, and freestanding floor lamps that can be easily repositioned.
What colours work best in a home office?
There’s much psychology behind the use of colour in workspaces, especially how it can affect mood and productivity.
Bright, vibrant colours are energising, cool palettes are more calming, while muted or softer tones can help focus and concentration. Add colour to suit your personal taste but try not to make your workspace too distracting or uninspiring! Remember colour can be introduced as boldly or subtly as you like, so could be a fabric for window dressings or soft furnishings, a new piece of artwork, or creative wall painting. Block panels in geometric shapes or stripes, wallpapering to half or full height, or hand stencilling, all make eye-catching features.
What office furniture and decor should I invest in?
There are a couple of pieces to really spend your money on. The first is good seating. An office chair can still be stylish but if you’re spending seven hours each day sitting on it, then it must be comfortable and ergonomic.
The other is lighting, so make sure your office or workstation is properly lit. This can be a combination of desk lamps, floor lamps, recessed lighting and, obviously, natural light! However, a real game changer this year has been portable, rechargeable lights. In rooms or spaces with limited sockets, these are a fantastic alternative and can support virtually any task.
Finally, where do you recommend looking for home office bargains?
Offices have become integral in home styling so don’t limit your search to purely office suppliers. High street retailers like Next, TK Maxx, Dunelm, H&M, Zara Home, B&M, John Lewis and IKEA all have ranges to suit varied budgets.
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