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In March 2020 COVID rates rose to stratospheric levels urging companies to take decisions about staff welfare and safety. One change that was quickly adopted was the option for staff to work from home. Never before has there been so many people working from home and now over a year later many companies are making this a permanent change.
Working from home has its pros and cons. After spending the first two weeks relishing the extra hour in bed and working from the sofa with ‘This Morning’ blaring out in the background you soon begin to realise the importance of having a dedicated workspace. In most cases this means repurposing the spare room currently full of junk and old furniture. Bin bags at the ready!
One of the first things you need to think about is the space itself. How big is it? Measure up and get a feel for the flow of the room. Are there built in cupboards that could be removed to create more space; a window that is stuck shut that needs fixing; are there enough power points? All these factors need to be taken into consideration in the early stages of creating your office space.
Lighting is particularly important. If there is a window, you want to be sitting facing it or in line with it so the light is behind you. The best source of light is natural light so make sure you’re making the most of it. Even with natural light I would suggest a desk lamp. The contemporary anglepoise is still going strong in the style stakes. Our Black and Copper Angle Desk Lamp is a great example of this classic 1930s style. A stunning lamp that will look great on any desk.
Freshening up the walls is a good idea so how about some funky wallpaper. Our Obsession Hangers Wallpaper Roll by Daniel Rozensztroch (left) is a fabulous, quirky wallpaper great for those who work in fashion or design and our fun White Scrapwood Wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek is a great way to brighten up and lift a smaller office space.
When it comes to choosing furniture, whatever your taste you need to be realistic. If you’ve got a box room it’s going to look somewhat silly with that large architect desk you love so much slap-bang in the middle of it.
You need to find a balance between style and practicality. Industrial style furniture works particularly well in home offices and is currently the height of fashion. The Shoreditch Office Desk Dressing Table (below) is a great example. With its weathered paintwork and strong, sturdy frame it’s impactful, charming and practical.
The great thing about industrial style furniture is that it doesn’t have to match. It actually looks better when deliberately mismatched, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to your other office pieces. If you prefer a more rustic look, our fabulous Harringay Reclaimed Wood Desk / Dressing Table is a good choice. Crafted from reclaimed wood that has been beautifully restored this large desk is great for those who have a lot of kit and paperwork. If you’re the other end of the spectrum and pushed for space then you might want to consider our Morcott Storm Desk Console Table. This sleek and sophisticated desk has a narrow shape and contemporary style perfect for a smaller offices.
A hugely important piece of office furniture is your chair. A bad chair is going to affect your health, work and ultimately your mood. When picking an office chair don’t make any snap decisions. Consider the size you want, how it’s going to support your body and is it the right dimensions to fit your desk. Many back problems can be attributed to poor office seating so bear this in mind when making your decision. A great choice is the ‘S’ shaped chair. Engineered for supreme comfort this uber stylish chair with its constant, streamline flow is easy on the eye and back and fits snuggly under most desks.
Our Italian Leather and Steel Office Chair (left) is a great example of the ‘S’ chair. Skilfully upholstered in stunning hardwearing Italian leather with a contrasting steel frame it really does tick all the boxes. Wanting arm rests? Then our Italian Leather Carver Office Chair might be the chair for you. This chair is all about comfort. Its vintage carver style frame makes it a great choice for those you prefer a more classic look for the office. If you consider yourself a bit of an Alan Sugar, then our Black Aged Leather Office Chair on Castors should be right up your street. With its swivel base and adjustable height it the perfect executive office choice.
As much as we like the idea of a minimalist office the truth is most of us have way too much clutter for this to be a reality. From files to reports, computer software, hardware and stationery it amasses day on day. Office storage is essential, it’s a way of filing away important information and also storing everyday bits and pieces.
The quirky Thirty Drawer Industrial Metal Chest of Drawers is a great office storage solution. It’s huge with 30 drawers worth of storage space. Alternatively the Industrial Metal Filing Cabinet takes its inspiration from the 50s, the era of typing pools and hand written accounts. This iconic piece of vintage inspired furniture that will fit in well with most office decors.
You’ll nearly there now so how about adding some aesthetic touches like leafy plants to oxygenate the room and some some interesting art to stare at whilst on a boring conference call.
Last but not least, invest in a good coffee machine!
