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9 Practical Tips for Creating an Office Space to Suit You and Your Home
Working from home and don’t want to spend all day at the dining table? Check out these clever home office ideas
Whether it’s an alcove under the stairs or a dedicated floor, your home workspace should reflect your style and make working as easy and enjoyable as possible. So ditch the dining table and create an office that’s private, comfortable and inspiring.
Double up in a guest room
If you’re tight on space but have a guest room, design it to double up as an office. Maximise the surface area of the room by opting for a sofa-bed. This will also provide a relaxing spot for when you need to take a break from the office chair.
To welcome overnight visitors, simply add a mirror on a stand in place of your laptop. Pay attention to window dressings to ensure both privacy and light control.
Need advice on making the most of your space? Browse the Houzz Professionals Directory for an interior designer who could help.
If you’re tight on space but have a guest room, design it to double up as an office. Maximise the surface area of the room by opting for a sofa-bed. This will also provide a relaxing spot for when you need to take a break from the office chair.
To welcome overnight visitors, simply add a mirror on a stand in place of your laptop. Pay attention to window dressings to ensure both privacy and light control.
Need advice on making the most of your space? Browse the Houzz Professionals Directory for an interior designer who could help.
Put a room at the top
In a busy household, locating your home office in a converted loft could be a great way to find some peace and focus. Skylight windows, like these ones installed in a project by JNJ Building Services, should encourage blue-sky thinking, but ensure you have built-in blinds to control glare on sunny days.
Here, the smart carpet softens any noise of the chair moving around the floor, but you could choose a short-pile rug instead.
In a busy household, locating your home office in a converted loft could be a great way to find some peace and focus. Skylight windows, like these ones installed in a project by JNJ Building Services, should encourage blue-sky thinking, but ensure you have built-in blinds to control glare on sunny days.
Here, the smart carpet softens any noise of the chair moving around the floor, but you could choose a short-pile rug instead.
Wow your clients
If you have clients visiting your home, it’s a good idea to make the office space look professional and attractive. Take inspiration from this Kitchen Architecture project – instead of tucking your desk away, you could perhaps give up a room that you might otherwise use for something else.
If you can’t do this, or if the space is quite small, you can still make it a place to show off to clients. Keep it uncluttered and include some accessories and lighting to give it a welcoming feel. Add chairs that are comfortable and elegant, and aim to create a relaxed environment.
If you have clients visiting your home, it’s a good idea to make the office space look professional and attractive. Take inspiration from this Kitchen Architecture project – instead of tucking your desk away, you could perhaps give up a room that you might otherwise use for something else.
If you can’t do this, or if the space is quite small, you can still make it a place to show off to clients. Keep it uncluttered and include some accessories and lighting to give it a welcoming feel. Add chairs that are comfortable and elegant, and aim to create a relaxed environment.
Make the most of space beneath the stairs
An effective use of space is to create a practical work area under your stairs. A carpenter or built-in furniture company could help you to maximise the area and design something to fit perfectly. A professional might also find a way to store a printer, a shredder and office supplies tidily and out of sight.
Here, in this Neville Johnson made-to-measure design, every centimetre is maximised – with even the lighting built in to free up the desk area. The colours also tone seamlessly with the rest of the space. The result? A functional, streamlined and beautiful place to work.
Find reviewed carpenters in your area on Houzz.
An effective use of space is to create a practical work area under your stairs. A carpenter or built-in furniture company could help you to maximise the area and design something to fit perfectly. A professional might also find a way to store a printer, a shredder and office supplies tidily and out of sight.
Here, in this Neville Johnson made-to-measure design, every centimetre is maximised – with even the lighting built in to free up the desk area. The colours also tone seamlessly with the rest of the space. The result? A functional, streamlined and beautiful place to work.
Find reviewed carpenters in your area on Houzz.
Design a room with a view
If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful view of the sea, countryside or your garden, make the most of it: a lovely vista could be inspiring in a workspace.
This desk, in a project designed by MW Architects, is perfectly placed to let in natural light and allow the occupant to enjoy the garden. It’s a versatile design, as the two desk areas give the option of either looking out to the exterior or moving away towards the wall when it’s colder outside.
If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful view of the sea, countryside or your garden, make the most of it: a lovely vista could be inspiring in a workspace.
This desk, in a project designed by MW Architects, is perfectly placed to let in natural light and allow the occupant to enjoy the garden. It’s a versatile design, as the two desk areas give the option of either looking out to the exterior or moving away towards the wall when it’s colder outside.
Think vertically
In this pretty cottage designed by Whitstable Island Interiors, a wall-mounted desk creates a well-defined work zone without taking up floor space. With a set-up like this, you could even avoid cluttering the floor with an office chair by just moving a spare dining chair over when needed.
The wall has taken the load for storage and lighting, too, with a bookcase and a directional overhead light for working late into the night.
More: How to Build an Annexe or Office in Your Garden
In this pretty cottage designed by Whitstable Island Interiors, a wall-mounted desk creates a well-defined work zone without taking up floor space. With a set-up like this, you could even avoid cluttering the floor with an office chair by just moving a spare dining chair over when needed.
The wall has taken the load for storage and lighting, too, with a bookcase and a directional overhead light for working late into the night.
More: How to Build an Annexe or Office in Your Garden
Soften the edges
A desk doesn’t have to be a traditional shape. The attractive dark model in this office is softened by its organic form. A wall of built-in storage hides work clutter, as well as providing display space.
Consider your power source for a desk like this – consult an electrician about installing sockets into the floor, if possible. Here, the solid panels on the desk (rather than legs) reduce visual clutter, hiding trailing wires in style.
If you work from home full time, it might be worth investing in a bespoke office space like this one, created by Woolf Interior Architecture & Design. Done well, it could also add value to your home.
A desk doesn’t have to be a traditional shape. The attractive dark model in this office is softened by its organic form. A wall of built-in storage hides work clutter, as well as providing display space.
Consider your power source for a desk like this – consult an electrician about installing sockets into the floor, if possible. Here, the solid panels on the desk (rather than legs) reduce visual clutter, hiding trailing wires in style.
If you work from home full time, it might be worth investing in a bespoke office space like this one, created by Woolf Interior Architecture & Design. Done well, it could also add value to your home.
Keep the look light
Transparent furniture performs a clever visual trick that makes a small space look less cluttered. The clear desk and chair in this design by Found Associates help to maximise light and give minimal visual impact.
The space is kept even more streamlined with the addition of a neat, built-in storage unit.
Tell us…
What do you think of these home office ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Transparent furniture performs a clever visual trick that makes a small space look less cluttered. The clear desk and chair in this design by Found Associates help to maximise light and give minimal visual impact.
The space is kept even more streamlined with the addition of a neat, built-in storage unit.
Tell us…
What do you think of these home office ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
A simple colour palette will create a serene environment for working in. The cool shades here, along with the natural wood desk, prevent the space from becoming chaotic, even if things get busy.
There appears to be plenty of natural light in this room, which is boosted by the bright walls. In the evening, the angled desk lamp will allow for close working and reduce eye strain.