Many of us today are working in some form of hybrid lifestyle as businesses are realizing that it often makes more sense and saves money to have employees work virtually (and let’s be real, who doesn’t love working in sweats?). With this change in the traditional workforce, it’s more important than ever before to have a home office space that works for you – for the long haul.  

Perhaps when you bought your home, you weren’t planning on working from home…ever. Perhaps you always wanted a big, grandiose office complete with chesterfield sofa and Godfather-esque mahogany desk. Maybe you’ve made do with a makeshift nook at the end of the dining table for the past two years but it’s time for something more private. Or maybe you have been working out of a cluttered corner in the guest bedroom that has never had a single guest. 

Whatever situation you currently have – there’s a solution. We promise. 

But how do you create a space that ensures a productive, inviting atmosphere no matter what size space you are dealing with?

The Small Nook

If you don’t have the space in your house to create a private office – you’re not alone. Many homeowners didn’t plan on a WFH lifestyle when they purchased their home. That’s not to say you can’t design a perfect oasis in the middle of your house that serves as your office.

One trend today is to convert storage or closet space into a mini office. Removing the doors and existing shelving can open the nook up for a wealth of opportunities. Add a fun, printed wallpaper or bold paint color on the interior – you’re halfway there. Installing a built-in floating shelf to serve as a desk and some smaller shelves above will provide ample space for storage and your computer. The key here is lighting; add a ceiling light inside and consider adding a small task lamp. 

The Guest Bedroom Conversion: 

If you have an extra bedroom or space – consider having this room serve double-duty. Murphy beds are gaining popularity again of late as it allows you to have a room that can be an office when you need it – and a space for guests when they visit. Double the fun.

The benefit of having a dual-purpose room is that most bedrooms offer good lighting, ample room for storage and can provide privacy where you can separate your home life from your work life by simply closing the door. 

Consider a more modern desk that has light and airy feel to it. Hanging shelves can make a space feel brighter and less clunky which is great for a converted bedroom as the lack of “flow” to the rest of the house can feel restrictive. 

The Main Floor Open Office 

For homes that already had an office space planned into the original design, this usually takes the space of an open room carved near the front or main room of the house. 

There are plenty of neat elements you can add to augment the look and feel of the office space here so that it feels to be more purposeful and integrated into the design of the rest of the house. 

We are big fans of French doors to be able to close off the room while also feeling like the space is still open and airy. Lots of lighting, both natural and through overhead, desk and floor lamps are great in a space here. The key is to make the room feel alive – so that you feel the same way when you are working. 

Have your desk face the door (it’s good feng shui, but also looks so inviting) and consider built-ins on the back wall.  

A Word of Caution

While you may consider adding a desk into your bedroom, we advise against it. Separation of church and state, friends. Keep your work life out of your bedroom. The stresses of work should be left outside of where you sleep and recover. Waking up to see your laptop (closed or not) can have negative impacts on your stress levels.

 It’s so important to ensure that your home design creates a restorative, relaxing environment. That 100% applies to how and where you create your WFH space. 

If you have any questions, get in touch with our team today. We would love to help you design the home office you deserve.