Styling and photography by Michelle Halford / TDC
As people adjust to working from home, many are discovering that not only is it doable, there are also added benefits to working remotely. Not only is it better for the environment, we're saving time and money on commutes and avoiding the many distractions that come with working in a busy office environment. Perhaps this will even lead to a new way of working in the future. I for one can highly recommend it, especially once the kids are back at school! I touched on the workspace in my first Staying In blog post, but today I wanted to hone in on the different elements required to make a functional office space at home. Blown away by the response to the image of my little workspace (above) that I recently posted on Instagram, which included loads of shares and people asking me questions (mostly about my desk!) this is clearly still a hot topic right now.
— Desks —
While I dream of my next desk being a sculptural, curved piece like the one above, I know that my back will appreciate an adjustable standing desk. Two that I've been eyeing up are the Montana HiLow desk and the BoConcept Phoenix Electric office desk. BoConcept also have a great range of minimalist desk designs to suit a home office space. My current desk has evolved over the years but has served me well since I first set up my office. It's now a simple plywood top which was custom made to suit the space, paired with some steel trestle legs that used to belong to our previous dining table. In terms of positioning, I would recommend placing your desk by a window if possible, to let in some natural light and fresh air.
For a simple, minimalist solution, built-in desks are a great option. To help keep the desk clutter at bay, go a step further and install some simple floating shelves above.
For compact spaces, the Menu Rail Desk by Japanese designer Keiji Ashizawa is ideal. The neat, precision-made piece in natural or stained oak offers multiple functions – as a desk, counter or shelf to store books, hung at any height you choose. That way it can be used beyond a temporary workspace and lends itself to almost any setting, fitting neatly into both living areas and bedrooms where space is tight.
If you need to go compact with the desk, and let's face it, many of us do when it comes to our home, look for desks that have built-in storage elements. The Scrivette Desk by Plyroom has a lid that allows for access to the storage space within the desk, rather than losing bits and pieces at the back of a drawer. Beautifully crafted from Baltic birch and Tasmanian oak, the materials exemplify a Japanese aesthetic concept of wabi: simplicity and quietude incorporating rustic beauty.
— Desk Accessories —
A few simple accessories to store papers, pens and other everyday items will help keep your space tidy. The 2x2 Organiser above is by Jamie Wolfond for ferm Living, and the Dania Letter Tray below is by Skagerak.
I also love the Nomad Pen Holder and Tray by Skagerak, and the Città Oku series of storage boxes and trays, both shown below.
Tool boxes are another great desk accessory for storing pens and stationery and are particularly useful if you don't have a permanent office spot at home. I've rounded up some favourites below.
— Task Lighting —
Good lighting is so important, especially when working in the evenings. You may remember the office above from my last blog post. I can't get enough of this space featuring Dinesen flooring, custom desk, stool, shelving and peg rail. The iconic PH Table Lamp by Louis Poulsen looks right at home here. The Arum table lamp by ferm Living, shown below, is another favourite.
— Seating —
When it comes to choosing an office chair, I believe that you can't go past classic Danish design for the right combination of comfort, aesthetics and functionality. Here are two of my top picks.
Striking the perfect balance between geometric and organic shapes, the contoured curves of the Menu Harbour Chair offers maximum support, while enveloping the body in its slender shell. Offered in a range of shapes, materials and finishes, allowing for total customisation, it also comes with the option of a swivel base and/or castors making it ideal for the home office.
The Fiber Armchair by Muuto is designed with embracing curves to provide extensive comfort, while taking up little space in the room. The option of swivel base with castors allows for ease of movement.