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How to Position Your Home Office Desk for Success
Where and how you arrange your desk can change the way you work. Check out these different ideas to find the best solution for you
Some of us like to gaze out of the window for inspiration when we’re settled into our home office to work, while others find views an unwelcome distraction. Some of us feel hemmed in when our desk is nestled into a corner, but others focus better when their desk faces a corner rather than anywhere else. If you’re finding it hard to knuckle down and work efficiently, simply changing the desk around could do the trick. Take a look at these desk positions to see what could work for you at your house.
Against the couch
If a console table can sit happily against the back of a sofa, there’s no reason a desk can’t. When you’re sitting on the couch, you won’t even know it’s there – a visual cue is not what you need if you’re trying to switch off and leave work behind. Be warned, though: this set-up might be too much for those likely to give in to temptation and watch TV when they’re supposed to be working.
If a console table can sit happily against the back of a sofa, there’s no reason a desk can’t. When you’re sitting on the couch, you won’t even know it’s there – a visual cue is not what you need if you’re trying to switch off and leave work behind. Be warned, though: this set-up might be too much for those likely to give in to temptation and watch TV when they’re supposed to be working.
In a bay window
An odd-shaped desk makes the most of the bay window in this house, and there’s even enough room for a set of drawers. In addition, the selection of midcentury modern pieces for the home office nook ties it in seamlessly with the rest of the room.
See more on midcentury modern style
An odd-shaped desk makes the most of the bay window in this house, and there’s even enough room for a set of drawers. In addition, the selection of midcentury modern pieces for the home office nook ties it in seamlessly with the rest of the room.
See more on midcentury modern style
Against a side wall
When two people need to work side by side, positioning a desk along the wall can make the most sense. It takes up less space than trying to find spots for two separate desks elsewhere in the room, and when the wall is as pretty as this one, there’s no reason not to love the view.
When two people need to work side by side, positioning a desk along the wall can make the most sense. It takes up less space than trying to find spots for two separate desks elsewhere in the room, and when the wall is as pretty as this one, there’s no reason not to love the view.
In the corner
Home offices can be squeezed into the tiniest of corners, and this Parisian nook shows just how well it can work. Funky shelving and an old chair give this corner more than enough appeal to draw you in for some focused work or study. And some storage has even been worked in there as well.
Home offices can be squeezed into the tiniest of corners, and this Parisian nook shows just how well it can work. Funky shelving and an old chair give this corner more than enough appeal to draw you in for some focused work or study. And some storage has even been worked in there as well.
A desk built into the bay window, complete with plenty of storage, can make your bedroom (or a guest room) into a swish home office without further ado. A professional-looking chair will have you feeling very important, too.
Wherever it can fit
When you’re squashing your home office into a spot next to the kitchen, you might have less say about where the desk goes than if it has a room of its own, but choosing a long, narrow desk will allow you to spread your wings. Sometimes it’s the desk itself rather than where it’s positioned that can make all the difference.
When you’re squashing your home office into a spot next to the kitchen, you might have less say about where the desk goes than if it has a room of its own, but choosing a long, narrow desk will allow you to spread your wings. Sometimes it’s the desk itself rather than where it’s positioned that can make all the difference.
Around the room
When three kids have homework to do, a built-in desk that hugs three walls can make more sense than trying to fit a desk into each of their rooms. It’s a whole lot more fun doing your homework when you’re not alone, after all. The same principles here can apply for a couple sharing a home office – making use of the room’s perimeter can prevent anyone cramping another’s style.
When three kids have homework to do, a built-in desk that hugs three walls can make more sense than trying to fit a desk into each of their rooms. It’s a whole lot more fun doing your homework when you’re not alone, after all. The same principles here can apply for a couple sharing a home office – making use of the room’s perimeter can prevent anyone cramping another’s style.
Away from distractions
It doesn’t matter how mesmerising the view is, some people prefer to have their back to the vista to knuckle down and get the job done – the sooner it’s done, the sooner they can get outside and enjoy that view for real.
It doesn’t matter how mesmerising the view is, some people prefer to have their back to the vista to knuckle down and get the job done – the sooner it’s done, the sooner they can get outside and enjoy that view for real.
Immersed in nature
The soothing colours and sounds of the outdoors will wash that stress away while you work when your desk is positioned to take full advantage of the view beyond your window. Keeping the colours subtle inside will bring them to life outside – just what your eyes need to balance out all that screen time.
Discover how to frame the perfect view
TELL US…
Where’s your desk at home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
The soothing colours and sounds of the outdoors will wash that stress away while you work when your desk is positioned to take full advantage of the view beyond your window. Keeping the colours subtle inside will bring them to life outside – just what your eyes need to balance out all that screen time.
Discover how to frame the perfect view
TELL US…
Where’s your desk at home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
If you’d like to feel more creative, go ahead and set your desk at an angle and see how it feels. While some people like to lock themselves away in solitude to work, others like to feel part of the action – angling the desk so you can see into another room can make you feel less isolated. A simple desk shift could also mean you stop squinting – the inevitable screen glare when your back is to the window can be hard on the eyes.