Natural light is an absolute must for a home office space, no matter the size. This nook designed by Alexandra Donohue of Decus Interiors, includes vertical storage. Picture: Anson Smart
If anyone had said at the start of the year that the home office would become the most important room of 2020, many would have been scratching their heads. But in recent months interior designers and architects have seen the focus shift from most of us being satisfied with a nook off the hallway or at the end of the kitchen joinery to a desire for a highly functional office environment.
This study designed by Stewart Horton can be closed off for acoustic privacy thanks to sliding glass doors. Picture: Maree Homer
Interior designer Stewart Horton from Horton & Co says COVID-19 has shifted priorities for many looking at redesigning their houses.
“I have one client whose renovation started just before lockdown and now they have added to the scope of their home office,” he says. “It was just going to be a basic study but now they are thinking about how to make it a really nice space and how it can be used by two people at once.”
He says we are also conscious that our colleagues may be seeing our home office space via Zoom meetings for the first time and we want to make a better impression.
The Bailey desk from GlobeWest can create an instant office environment in any part of the house.
“More of us are thinking that it’s worth spending a bit of money on our homes. I have had an influx of inquiries from people who want to freshen up their homes a bit,” Stewart says. “If you are not spending that much time at home, it can be difficult to justify the cost to yourself, but that’s not so much the case now.”
Given the number of hours we’re spending working from home, he says it’s important the space is functional — and safe.
“The traditional study is not designed for sitting in for hours on end,” he says. “If you don’t have an ergonomic chair, by the end of the day you can be experiencing quite a bit of pain.”
Accessories like Curve desktop stand from Twelve South can improve the ergonomics of your laptop.
Stylist and author Jessica Bellef agrees that functionality is the top priority now.
“Pre-COVID, you could have a pretty chair and a nice vignette on your desk but now, functionality is key,” she says.
Although not everyone has room for a separate space.
“If you are working at the dining table, make time to pack up so that you can switch off properly,” she says. “If you are sharing a space, a good set of headphones always helps.”
Don’t forget shelving in home office design, like this space renovated by architect Ricci Bloch. It will allow you to keep the desk clutter free.
Not everyone has the room for a separate office like this beautiful space designed by Greg Natale, but more of us are considering it. Picture: Anson Smart
More: hortonandco.com.au; decus.com.au; gregnatale.com; globewest.com.au; riccibloch.com.au; twelvesouth.com
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