Cimara King, Designer at Drew Forsyth & Co based in Hebden Bridge West Yorkshire, offers some expert advice on how to carve out some office space at home.
While the pandemic brought with it a move towards working from home – for many people very much out of necessity -the result ever since has been a shift towards a more hybrid way of working. With many of us now facing less of a daily commute to the office and more in the way of home working, the importance of carving out some space in which to work has never been so important.
Whether you’re in favour of working from the dining table or prefer and have the space in your home for a dedicated office set-up, opting for bespoke furniture will help you achieve a dedicated workspace to call your own, and one you can leave behind at the end of each day for that all-important work-life balance.
When you’re setting about designing the space, it’s important to firstly think about how it will be used. If it’s an office where you will be working daily, consider creating a different ambience from the rest of your home to help you focus. If it’s still very much a part of your overall kitchen and living space, then decorate it to blend in.
Think about the location of your desk space too. If you like to work in relatively quiet environment with little interruption, then could you set up office in the loft or even perhaps consider converting the garage or garden shed. On the other hand, if you need to be keeping one eye on young family members while you check in on your emails, consider instead taking over a corner of the living room or even converting an understairs cupboard.
Wherever you decide to set up your home office, follow the following tips to really make the space work hard for you:
- Make the most of natural light – if you’ve got a room with a view then make use it well, by siting the desk near the window rather than with your back to it. Beware of the glare though, particularly if you’re likely to be involved in lots of video conference calls!
- Think about the tech – it’s likely that you will need lots of sockets to power up your laptop and printer and to keep your phone on charge. Unsightly wires can ruin a calming ambience, while opting for bespoke furniture will enable all the power outlets you need to be integrated and hidden neatly from view.
- Invest in your desk – you will need space for your laptop or PC as well as room to take notes and store files. If you’re setting up office in a corner of a bedroom or the living room, a bespoke desk built-into the corner will maximise on space. Or perhaps you prefer to stand to work, in which case your desk needs to be set at a comfortable height. If you want the best of both worlds, consider an adjustable-height desk to be included in your design.
- Good storage is key – uncluttered spaces make for tidy minds. Having enough storage is particularly important if this is a shared space where any paperwork needs to have a safe home, out of sight when it’s time to switch off. Bespoke furniture is the ideal solution if you have space for it; custom inserts for folders, stationery, and tech can really help to make the space multi-functional. Especially if this is a room that is also used as a bedroom, for example.
- Make room for tech – Consider your posture and working position. Ideally, the top of the screen should be 6-7 inches below your eye-level to avoid hunching and long-term back problems. Laptop stands, monitor shelves and wireless peripherals make a massive difference to your posture. Bespoke units enable you to customise your workspace exactly as you need it.
- Make it yours with personal touches. Add a pot plant to the end of your desk, pop up a noticeboard or simply paint your ‘office area’ in a colour that inspires you and enables you to take ownership.
- If you don’t have the luxury of an extra room for a dedicated home office, carve out a space for yourself. Take over a quiet corner of your living area, set up a hot desk at one end of your kitchen island or breakfast bar, or even claim a spot in the hallway or on the landing.
The great thing about working from home is that your workspace can be just as flexible as you are. For more help and advice on creating your own bespoke home office space, visit www.drewforsyth.co.uk or call 01422 842206.
