A Global Shift Towards Home Working: Abbey Partnership’s Home Office Renovation and Design Tips

Is your home workspace getting you down? Many of us now face the prospect of working from home for the foreseeable future, and our office environment really can have a big effect on our mood and productivity. With just a few small changes you could re-energise your workspace – check out our home office design tips for homes of all sizes. 

Convert a corner

Living in a small space? An unused corner may be all that’s needed to create a dedicated working area. Think outside the box – perhaps you have a potential nook in an alcove, on a landing or under the stairs.

• Switch things around. Moving your furniture can create all sorts of possibilities! The position of your workspace reflects the importance placed on it. If possible, try to position your desk near a window, to give you as much natural light as possible. 
• Divide and rule. Keep the work-life balance distinct with clever compartmentalising. You could use shelves as a room divider – a functional choice that’ll help you separate your professional life from family time. 
• Get business-like. On the walls of your office corner, a whiteboard, pin board or wall planner can help demarcate the working space.  
• Be smart with storage: Use shelving on the walls to make the most of the space. 
• Fold away your work at the end of the day. Use a cupboard or bureau with a shelf for desk space, then shut your stuff away when it’s time to log off.  

Take over the spare room

With just a little home improvement, you can turn your spare room into a fully functional office and watch your productivity soar.  

• Be inspired. Fill your home office with artwork and objects that you love. It’ll spur you on to think creatively and put the best of you into everything you do. 
• Wake up your workspace. Try to move away from the cosy, homely feel of a bedroom and decorate your home office more starkly. Removing soft furnishings can help – Venetian blinds instead of curtains will make the room more business–like. 
• Zoom-proof your background. Pay particular attention to how the room looks behind you; this will be what colleagues on video conference calls will see. Don’t be afraid to inject a little personality – the books on your shelf or photos on display all say something about who you are.  

 

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Seek out a new space

If you’re lucky, you may have a space in your home that’s not currently being used to its full potential. This may involve a more extensive renovation project, but the results (and added value to your home) are likely to be worth the time and investment.  

• Reach new heights. Create a spacious, high-spec area dedicated to work. Converting your loft into a home office space is an investment that will pay off – and if you venture back to the commute one day, it can be used as a luxurious guest bedroom or something similar. 
• 30-second commute. Why not set up an office space in a shed or outbuilding in your garden? It’s the perfect way to keep some separation between work and home life – and with the bonus of a lovely view.  
• Convert your garage. Do you really need your garage for parking? If not, it could be repurposed as a spacious home office. A typical single garage comprises around 15m2 of floor space; more than enough to house one or two people working from home, plus equipment and storage. 

Looking to create an idyllic home office? Contact Abbey Partnership today to discuss your requirements and the design and planning process.