Who would have imagined a few years ago that regularly working from home would become such an accepted and mainstream part of our lives? However, as many of us purchased houses long before the concept of WFH was here to stay, at Otta Design we are often called in to help re-configure spaces to ensure there is a dedicated home office area. Not only that, but one that is designed to be inspiring, productive and comfortable.
Through showcasing a selection of our recent projects, all with very different home offices, hopefully you’ll pick up some handy tips and ideas for your project.
The hallway home office
We were appointed interior designers for this South West London townhouse just before lockdown hit. Little did we know at that time just how much use this space would get.
As all the bedrooms in the house were in full use, we utilised this previously dead space in the rear hallway to create an office/children’s homework area.
A huge positive of using this part of the house was the abundance of light from the bay window. Nothing beats natural light when it comes to a creating a stimulating and uplifting work environment, and wherever possible we would always recommend positioning a desk near a window. Just make sure that when it becomes too bright, the window treatments have been thought through carefully to prevent screen glare. We love using roman blinds in study areas as, unlike curtains, they can be part closed to ensure some light still comes through.
We designed bespoke joinery to flank the bay window, providing ample storage for all the family. Bespoke joinery is an investment which not only allows you to maximise storage, it also means that you can add high level design detail and practical, tailored solutions. The antique brass mesh inlay conceals what is within but adds a lightness and interest that standard solid wooden doors don’t allow.
Whilst the exterior is painted in off black to harmonise with the hall scheme, we painted the internals in a brick red for an unexpected flash of colour.
Charging points for laptops and phones are housed within the joinery – it’s far more dignified and visually appealing to have these hidden away to save the mess of tangled cables, or crawling under a desk to plug devices in.
The office formerly known as a bathroom!
In this family home in Balham, South West London our clients were crying out for a viable home office due to their change in required office hours post Covid. Our solution was to subdivide the existing large bathroom to create this small but high functioning study.
Our colour loving client didn’t shy away when we suggested painting both the woodwork and the ceiling in Farrow & Ball Green Smoke, to complement the subtle pattern of the wallpaper.
Due to such constricted space, bespoke joinery was the only option to be considered. To maximise the surface space, we designed a wall-to-wall floating desk in walnut with brass inlay detailing, with an adjustable wall light on an arm positioned to the side to supplement the natural light when required. This detail was matched on the bespoke shelving and storage unit, painted in the deep purple of Farrow & Ball Pelt, which is a feature all on its own.
Open shelving is an opportunity to add interest and character to a space, by showcasing curated pieces or cherished items. In this home office it also provides a wonderful backdrop for video calls, which was very much part of our original brief.
The invigorating home office that doesn’t skimp on practicalities
This much used study was previously a guest bedroom and general dumping ground.
A colour palette of blues and greens is a natural choice for a home office as these tones invoke a sense of focus, concentration and productivity. Here, we wallpapered behind the joinery wall using this fabulous geometric raffia paper by Christopher Farr, to make the space interesting and invigorating.
The bespoke joinery, painted in Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue, combines closed cupboards and shelves for the unsightly yet essential items one possesses, and open shelves above for books and decorative styling.
A roman blind with inset trim was added for both practical and decorative reasons.
In terms of electrical lighting, if maximising desk space is a priority, then a good tip is to opt for a wall mounted adjustable light rather than a desk lamp, to free up the work surface.
Seating that is comfortable and supportive yet stylish is essential in any home office. Our tried and tested desk chair is this Eames style chair with soft seat pad, and here the tan leather contrasts beautifully against the rest of the scheme.
The small but mighty Mediterranean style office
The busy young professional who lives in this home by Battersea Park wanted her home office to be an inspiring, creative space in which to spend long working days and evenings.
The configuration of this terraced house meant that the study was a long, narrow room housed between the sitting room and the kitchen, with no natural light of its own. The addition of Crittall doors from the sitting room into the office increased light flow; we mirrored this with the use of Crittall throughout the ground floor.
In naturally darker rooms it is best to embrace the lack of light by going bold and deep with colour. This enchanting wallpaper by Zoffany provided our colour palette. We painted the ceiling in bright orange to add to the wow factor and make this once cramped, unimposing space sing.
Antique pieces are key to creating a layered look in any scheme. Edwardian or Victorian antique pedestal desks are easy to come by and add real depth and character to a room.
Indoor plants are an excellent addition to any home office, as they are proven to increase productivity and concentration. A fiddle leaf fig, as seen here, isn’t high maintenance which is also a bonus!
