Create a space both functional and beautiful
In a post-pandemic world, the workday began to look quite different for many people. From fully remote to hybrid work to those weather-provoked e-learning days, families and individuals are working to create distinct spaces that allow them to work from home—spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. While local designers are finding unique ways to transform space into home office, one factor is consistent–it must be effortlessly integrated into the rest of the home, because working from home is here to stay.
Whether you’re looking to convert a room into a full office or just create a small nook in an already existing space, these local designers have the tips and tricks to help you do just that.
Expert Advice on Creating Space
In Site Designs, Katie Skoloff
Many homeowners are looking to design these spaces to be seamlessly integrated into the overall home decor. Nature-inspired elements, ergonomic furniture, and good lighting are becoming increasingly popular. Post-pandemic, the importance of a functional and beautiful home office has surged as remote and hybrid work have become the norm. Homeowners now view these spaces as long-term investments, not just a response to temporary circumstances.
LH Design Studio, Erin Gillig:
A well-appointed home office should be both expressive and tailored to your needs. Foundationally, focus on storage and organization; having a designated place for everything contributes to seamless productivity. Using custom cabinetry anchors the workspace and allows for beautiful stain or paint finishes to shine. Layer in an eclectic rug, distinctive lighting, and personal touches like art and accessories to create dimension and visual interest. Your work from home office should be an extension of you, so have fun with it!
I think the alternative workplace is here to stay. (I like to create) dark, moody color palettes with built-in bookcases and storage to enhance a workspace. A fully functional office with all the technology, monitors, and printers should be organized in a way to minimize the appearance of those tools and wiring, so that the office looks more like home than a traditional office. As well as a home office, we have also seen the need for the space to function for student use for virtual school and homework.
We see home offices becoming more important in homes today as more people will continue to work from home full-time or part-time. As a workplace strategist for a global commercial real estate firm before opening DZN home 4 years ago, I had the privilege of working on many large headquarters and Global workplace strategy programs to start transitioning to work from home in the early 2000s. I definitely see this way of working staying around for quite some time to come. Although some companies are requiring employees to come back to the office to increase team building and innovation, work from home will be around for many in some shape. That coupled with the idea that schooling our children either as homeschooling or needing to have a virtual teaching day on occasion also impacts the importance of home offices.
We are seeing a trend in office spaces separate from the living area, if space allows. Separate office spaces—or multipurpose spaces—allow for a space that can be shared with the whole family for work or homework. Dark walls create quiet, moody offices, while built in bookcases and storage can help hide office equipment like printers and other electronics. Including a desk, desk chair, and a unique desk lamp keep the office looking like it belongs in your home, not a corporate space.
Whitney McGregor Designs, Whitney McGregor
The home office space should be both beautiful and functional. This space was designed for a physician, who mostly uses it to unwind and study and occasionally work on his laptop.
We chose a round table so that the space could double as a game room for poker night. The window bench offers more upright seating for working on the computer. The leather armchairs and ottoman are perfect for reclining and reading. I had a lot of fun designing this one in particular. My calling card has sort of become fun, floral, and feminine, but that’s not always what I want to do. I loved designing a more handsome space!
I have definitely seen an uptick in the frequency clients ask for and prioritize a home office since the pandemic. And even when space is very limited, people are asking to carve out a small corner of already existing spaces to have somewhere to work.
Our goal when we design a home office is to create a workspace that is equal parts organization and inspiration. We focus on using furniture that combines modern engineering and innovative design to ensure functionality and make you love where you work. We see a trend in sit-stand desks. Whether the client is looking to embrace the healthy benefits of a versatile desk or just looking for an impressive user-friendly office, our clients are aiming to elevate any workday with functional furniture.
Ashmore Builders, Anna Ashmore
We are seeing a trend of homeowners wanting to get the most out of their square footage by renovating spaces that can serve double or sometimes even triple duty as an office, living area, guest room, home gym, etc.
With mortgage rates and housing prices on the rise, we are noticing more and more homeowners renovating to their own tastes and lifestyles rather than toward achieving a higher resale value.
Neutrals will always be popular for their versatility, but deep greens and blues, as well as bold wallpapers, are making their way into every room in the house—especially smaller spaces like offices, powder rooms, and laundry rooms.
We may be biased as professional cabinet makers, but storage reigns supreme as our home office must-have. Whether that’s in the form of built-ins or deep drawers in a desk, adequate storage space helps keep clutter at bay. Also, if your home office is serving double duty as a living area or guest room, custom storage solutions can allow you to put the work week out of sight and out of mind by hiding away monitors and keyboards, or securing documents with locking drawers.
