Home Office Ideas

Chris Salzano, Monday 20 August 2012

As more of us work remotely, more often, balancing the laptop on your knees or dodging the kids’ spills at the kitchen table just won’t cut it.

Having a dedicated space is a must - and there’s plenty of options available including multifunctional furniture and tidy storage solutions.

Firstly, ensure that any workspace fits your needs. If you work from home full-time, a room or an outbuilding that can be dedicated as an office is the way to go; consider converting the loft or a shed - or building a garden room. To transform a spare room, keep the design simple and take in account natural light. Add stylish accessories or personalise the space to create the best possible working environment.

Choose a desk for your needs and great storage is a must - don’t under estimate how much you’ll need. Have bespoke shelves built, invest in filing cabinets or install a storage and workspace combo. If the room doubles up as a guest room then have the option to hideaway work.

When space is tight, work stations may have to be located in communal areas or bedrooms. Fortunately, with the advent of laptops, iPads and tablets, desks can be more compact. Having a central location for study space, whether in the kitchen or den, means you can keep an eye on the kids when they are doing their homework or surfing the net.

Multifunctional rooms can, however, easily look cluttered and untidy. Make the most of features like alcoves by putting up shelves at the top and having a pullout desk below. Other options for locating a family workspace are under the stairs, on landings and in hallways.

Think about hiding away your office with freestanding pieces that look like cupboards but open up into compact workstations - great for bedrooms. Or you could employ a company to custom-build workspace and storage that can be closed off. Alternatively, section off the area with a room divider - shelving units work well - and desks with storage will help with clutter.

If you can’t or don’t want to hide away your office then keep the desk simple and in the living room; co-ordinate with your decor or go for a glass desk. Don’t forget a comfy chair with good back support. Now get to work!

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Home Office Ideas

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