Three steps to creating the perfect home office
Wed 12 Jun 2019
Anna Tasou-Rowley, Senior Architect at Tasou Associates,
We’re often asked to help clients create the perfect home office environment, whether it’s a brand-new room in an extension or part of a refresh and refurb of what’s already there. Here’s some of the design thinking we find makes for the best results.
A fresh pair of eyes
Approach the space as a blank slate – even if you’re not planning a major reconfiguration of the room, take the time to consider the space objectively. It’s important to take a step back and think about how you want your office environment to work ideally, and then make that a reality. You’ll need to think about how the room will be used, for example where the desk will be located, and then think through practical considerations like lighting and power. This way you can position sockets to suit your layout and avoid any trailing wires and extension leads. You’ll also be able to plan ahead to incorporate the storage you need, helping you achieve a neat, considered space.
Layout that’s practical and uplifting
Consider the inherent properties of the room and make the most of them. If there is a window, it is always pleasant to have this within your line of sight from your desk, especially since natural daylight can boost wellbeing and productivity. That said, it’s important to include directional, pinpoint lights in addition to the main lights and natural daylight, to allow you to adjust levels to suit your needs and the changing seasons. One of the joys of working at home is the fact that you’re free to arrange the space in a way that works best for you, so take the time to do just that.
Make the space your own
You may have the option of setting up your office in a room just for that purpose, but if not, you can still establish the sense of a dedicated work space.
If the office space is within another room, creating a visual separation with materials, colour or furniture will help to define the area. You might think about incorporating a different accent colour for the walls or dividing the space with a book case or folding screen.
Think about how you will handle storage. For those who regularly join video conferences, your backdrop is key: a combination of exposed shelves displaying topical books, magazines and prints can set the scene, and units with doors to hide away chargers and laptops help to avoid unsightly clutter. One particular favourite shelving design of ours is the String system, as it is so flexible and versatile.
Framed pictures, plants and stylish noticeboards are a great way to introduce colour, organisation and inspiration, without the clutter. We find that beautiful lamps are also a fantastic way to make a statement.
For me, working in an inspirational setting is key to productivity; if I enjoy being in the space, I naturally focus more.
If you would like a fresh pair of eyes to help revitalise your home work space, then get in touch, we’re happy to help.