Home Office Design Tips

More of us than ever are now working from home and with that, we are finding that more our our clients than ever are opting to incorporate home offices and small study areas into their projects. If you are planning on including a home office into your project we thought we’d share a few useful things that you need to consider along with some visual inspiration…

Location and having enough space is key, home offices come in all shapes and sizes so consider whether it needs to be a small tucked away space in the kitchen for checking emails and children to do homework at, or a larger separate space for a full day’s work. Thinking it through and evaluating how much space you will need is a crucial first step.

As an example, the Hertfordshire project (pictured above) is a small but perfectly formed home office tucked around the corner from the main kitchen and offers a quiet nook to catch up on emails or check a recipe. The cabinetry is finished in HM ‘Farthing’ which contrasts beautifully with the warm Classic oak and aged brass hardware. Tall cabinetry to the right of the desk offers storage for books and small folders that might otherwise clutter other areas of the kitchen, and can be easily reached from the desk seat.

Good light (preferably natural) is essential for any home office space, where possible choose a spot with natural light and a view or make sure there’s a quality light source.

If you are going to be working from home full time or a good percentage of time at least, a more professional space allows you to work more effectively. So it is worth considering a desk space away from the daily flow and distractions of the household.

The home office at the Wimbledon project (pictured above) is tucked away just off the main kitchen with one door leading to the main kitchen/ dining and living space and the other to the hallway. The desk has been designed under the window which overlooks the landscaped garden, flooding the room with a plethora of natural light. The desk is wide enough for a two screen set up and has plenty of room for a printer with shelving above for useful books and other items that are more frequently used. Tall cupboards run on from the desk and hide less used, more unsightly office supplies.

Storage is often overlooked and can effect productivity when a space is cluttered and leads to that ‘I just need that one bit of paper you saw last week’ vibe. Include enough shelving and tall cabinetry where possible.

Finishes can make or break how a space feels and a home office is no different. Maintaining the same or similar colour and hardware schemes throughout will help maintain a sense of flow – especially if the desk is part of the main kitchen.

The North London project home study space as an example (pictured above), is part of a large open plan kitchen, living and dining space. Positioned comfortably between the main storage run (to the right) and TV cabinetry (to the left). The desk is finished in HM paint colour ‘Tailored Grey’ with a Berkeley oak top and shelving interior.

To find out more about home offices or to make a kitchen enquiry call us on 01371 821300 or email us at info@humphreymunson.co.uk.

Images: Paul Craig