Work can take many forms – reading, writing, number crunching, digital creating, drafting, and research just to name a few, and so in turn, a workspace can take many forms. Residential spaces for these areas can be a large wood-paneled library to a sliver of a kitchen countertop that is just big enough to house a laptop and a notebook. We have had many funny jokes at home this year watching newscasters interview people in their homes, and I cannot help but analyze the backdrop on the Zoom call. It is hilarious when you start to pay attention to the background details!
These days, families are sharing workspaces and computers which brings this subject even more to the forefront in the advent of Covid. Luckily, thanks to WIFI, work can be completed anywhere in your home. Even so, most people prefer a dedicated station for stashing files and completing tasks. The ideal home office these days needs to perform in many arenas; from providing an efficient space, an aesthetically pleasing space, and a multi functioning space if it is in a common area of the home.
As we have been working much more from home this past year, we converted a lovely alcove off our living room to an office. It is serene and peaceful and has everything we need. In addition, because we have a 1920’s home and the room is adjacent to the living room, we can quickly convert the desktop to a beautiful cocktail bar. But that is of course once we can have cocktail parties again!
Here are a few pointers in setting up a home office:
- Who will be working here?
- What type of work will be done?
- What activities does the work entail? Phone calls, laying out plans, Zoom calls (make sure the background looks amazing!), or quiet study, you decide…
- Is the space situated in the heart of family life and activities? Kids need the space in the day, mom and dad at night?
- -Will visitors need access?
- Will the space be used daily or occasionally?
- Is privacy a concern?
- Is a sitting area needed?
- What type of equipment is needed? Filing, printers?
- How much storage is needed?
Hopefully, these questions can get you thinking about your needs if you are creating a home office. There are so many beautiful choices now for home office furnishings, as well as great gadgets to eliminate cord clutter, and fun and innovative storage and shelving solutions. You can integrate beautiful antique cabinets for storage, or modern floating shelves to display art, books and add personality. It is important to pick pieces that you love and keep handy the things you use most often. A lovely tray for paper, rulers, a snappy holder for pens/ pencils. Containing the clutter is equally important to the design when you analyze your needs. So many people are living in a very paperless world nowadays, so a minimal office is easy to achieve as well. And, just remember the appearance if you are sharing your personal space in the world on a Zoom call!
As we look to the warm weather ahead, I hope we will all find the balance we need in working from home, educating our children, and getting back to the workplace. Creating new thinktanks of imagination and opportunity. But for now, lets make the home office as beautiful and lovely as we can.