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10 Ideas to Make an Open-Plan Office Work Hard
Don’t let your desk space be an afterthought – whether it's hidden away or on display, here are some ways to integrate it seamlessly
Creating an office in an open-plan room is a great idea. Not only does it give your space an extra function, it forms a dedicated area for work projects, paperwork and bills – prone to spread around the house if not restrained! Whether you slot a study into an alcove, house it in a bay, or create a separate zone, make sure you choose colours and furniture that complement the rest of the room for an effortless look.
Choose a convenient corner
Creating an office can be as simple as installing a built-in desktop and some open shelving, but there are some design elements to consider. Try to locate it near a window, even if it’s a small one, and keep the desk area away from walkways around the rest of the room to minimise interruptions while you’re working.
Creating an office can be as simple as installing a built-in desktop and some open shelving, but there are some design elements to consider. Try to locate it near a window, even if it’s a small one, and keep the desk area away from walkways around the rest of the room to minimise interruptions while you’re working.
Conceal it cleverly
Sliding doors mean an open-plan office can be closed off when the desk is in use, and part of the space when work is over. Cladding the wall in brightly coloured acrylic panels is a cost-effective way of decorating and demarcating the area, while also making a practical, wipe-clean surface. Choosing frosted doors means the vibrant shade is still on show when they’re closed.
Discover the benefits of sliding doors
Sliding doors mean an open-plan office can be closed off when the desk is in use, and part of the space when work is over. Cladding the wall in brightly coloured acrylic panels is a cost-effective way of decorating and demarcating the area, while also making a practical, wipe-clean surface. Choosing frosted doors means the vibrant shade is still on show when they’re closed.
Discover the benefits of sliding doors
Opt for subtle solutions
When one area of the room is imposing – a built-in bookcase or wall of bold artworks, for instance – a minimal desk in glass and chrome is the perfect partner to balance the design. As all the storage is located in one area of this room, with shelves even extending over the door, there’s no need for drawers or cupboards around the desk, so it’s a great reading or studying hub.
When one area of the room is imposing – a built-in bookcase or wall of bold artworks, for instance – a minimal desk in glass and chrome is the perfect partner to balance the design. As all the storage is located in one area of this room, with shelves even extending over the door, there’s no need for drawers or cupboards around the desk, so it’s a great reading or studying hub.
Take in the view
Bay windows create a purpose-built space for a desk and seating in an open-plan living room. Not only will the office location benefit from maximum daylight and an inspiring view, the shape of the bay forms a natural visual cocoon around the furniture to help separate it from the rest of the space.
Explore how to decorate a bay window
Bay windows create a purpose-built space for a desk and seating in an open-plan living room. Not only will the office location benefit from maximum daylight and an inspiring view, the shape of the bay forms a natural visual cocoon around the furniture to help separate it from the rest of the space.
Explore how to decorate a bay window
Try made to measure
Continuing a run of fitted cupboards to create a desk area is a great way of unobtrusively slotting an office area into a living room. Opting for bespoke furniture helps to maximise the available space, too, taking alcoves and chimney breasts into account, and allowing for tailored units designed for stashing files and stationery.
Continuing a run of fitted cupboards to create a desk area is a great way of unobtrusively slotting an office area into a living room. Opting for bespoke furniture helps to maximise the available space, too, taking alcoves and chimney breasts into account, and allowing for tailored units designed for stashing files and stationery.
Be bold with colour
Office areas can be as striking, vibrant and well-designed as the rest of a living space, so don’t feel that sleek, functional and visually minimal is your only option. Try some funky pieces of furniture in place of typical office items, such as this ornate table and bright floor lamp.
Office areas can be as striking, vibrant and well-designed as the rest of a living space, so don’t feel that sleek, functional and visually minimal is your only option. Try some funky pieces of furniture in place of typical office items, such as this ornate table and bright floor lamp.
Divide and conquer
Partition walls and shelving can define the zones of a room to give each a clear purpose. Keep the scheme light by choosing Perspex shelving units and including plenty of lighting in the form of ceiling spots, angled desk lamps and floor lamps. Opting for a freestanding desk means there’s always the option to pull it out and use it as a work table that can be accessed from all sides.
Partition walls and shelving can define the zones of a room to give each a clear purpose. Keep the scheme light by choosing Perspex shelving units and including plenty of lighting in the form of ceiling spots, angled desk lamps and floor lamps. Opting for a freestanding desk means there’s always the option to pull it out and use it as a work table that can be accessed from all sides.
Reclaim every niche
Space below a staircase can easily be transformed into an occasional office area without intruding on the rest of the room. Choose a stylish low chair that can be turned in towards the room as an extra seat when the office isn’t in use. Continue the shelves as high as they will go to create as much storage as possible – then just add a sleek laptop to make it ready for work.
Space below a staircase can easily be transformed into an occasional office area without intruding on the rest of the room. Choose a stylish low chair that can be turned in towards the room as an extra seat when the office isn’t in use. Continue the shelves as high as they will go to create as much storage as possible – then just add a sleek laptop to make it ready for work.
Bring in a bureau
In a space with lots of period detail, choose pieces of furniture that are in keeping with the look and feel of the room. This antique bureau is ideal, as it has integral storage, so there’s no need to cram in another element, and it can be adapted to hide computer wires if the scheme starts to look messy.
Do you work from home? How do you keep your home office efficient? Let us know in the Comments below.
In a space with lots of period detail, choose pieces of furniture that are in keeping with the look and feel of the room. This antique bureau is ideal, as it has integral storage, so there’s no need to cram in another element, and it can be adapted to hide computer wires if the scheme starts to look messy.
Do you work from home? How do you keep your home office efficient? Let us know in the Comments below.
Help an office area blend into a compact sitting room by painting it the same colour as the rest of the space. A strong shade can work really well in this situation, merging the desk into the background. Emphasise the effect by choosing bold focal points around the rest of the room – rich pattern and texture on furnishings will help to draw attention away from the office zone.