Working From The 'Home Office'? Better Make It Damn Cool

So, how many days have you been working from home now? Are you even still counting? This is my fifth month on furlough (I know!) and I’m trying to maintain a routine as much as possible to make sure my brain doesn’t turn to mush. As much as I love Netflix, there’s only so much I can take! 

With flexible working becoming more opportune, and in a lot of cases mandatory since the Covid outbreak, we’ve had to evaluate how and where we set up our work stations each day in order to concentrate, be comfortable and most importantly, able to disconnect from it all when ‘leaving work’. So where possible, it pays to have a designated area at home that’s set up specifically for the task.

My home office, equipped with comfortable swivel chair, practical desk, lovely pink pastel notebook and a cuppa in one of my favourite Emma Bridgewater mugs. This is our ‘second bedroom’ but its not quite big enough for that, so its the ideal area to set up a work station.

My office has been somewhat a sanctuary since April and its certainly been the room in the house where I can focus and get stuff done. I’ve always enjoyed those one off ‘working from home’ days, but as I’ve had no choice but to be at home for nearly half a year, I’ve discovered that I actually flourish when working this way.

I’m pretty self-motivated (give or take the odd off-day) productive, and I enjoy being in my home surroundings. I thrive on the fact that I can organise my own day, my way, with fairly minimal distractions, plan my own diary and can make a brew at any time. All of this is very empowering and I certainly haven’t missed the two train commute each day. I count my self very fortunate that this has been my situation.

As much as I do enjoy being in the office, I find that having a few special things dotted around bring a joyful smile to my face and also help with inspiration and serotonin levels when hitting a block.

I’ve put together some of my favourite fun #wfh items that I think might help inspire your mind when cracking on at home.

Damn Cool Office accessories - scroll to the bottom of this post for the full shopping list with links.

The pandemic also meant that the Living Etc House Tours were cancelled this year, (in real life, 3D form anyway) which is one of my favourite events on the interior design calendar. So in lieu of missing out in 2020 I’ve gone through my archives of hundreds of photographs from the previous years’ tours, to share some of the creative and stylish home office ideas that I think you’ll appreciate.

Im always on the look out for interesting ways of bringing practicality and functionality to small or awkward spaces, and we can take inspiration from these images on how to utilise the space we have. 

Space Savers

Here are my three favourite images showing that you don’t need a lot of floor space to create a stylish study - perfect inspiration for us renters and small-terraced-house dwellers out there.

A bijou desk and chair at the top of a small landing. Who says you need a dedicated room if you have floor space available between rooms?

This homeowner utilised a box room off the landing by removing the door and creating an office ‘nook’, making the most of that glorious light from the crittall window.

If you had a stained glass window like this in your home, why wouldn’t you place your desk in front of it? A stunning leather topped antique desk at that.

Two-In-One

The three images below prove that you don’t need to appoint a whole room for an office. One room can have multiple functions; bedrooms, living rooms and even kitchens can double up as your home office, it just requires a bit of creative thought.

This stacked shelving with drop down desk filled an area of wall between the living room and the kitchen. The shelves above give extra surface area to add personality and trinkets.

Living room on one side, office on the other, conveniently located underneath the library.

Bespoke industrial shelving has been added to this child’s bedroom, proving a fun and welcome place to read, play and create.

Dedicated Room

Have you ever imagined your dream home office? Does it have an abundance of light, space and surfaces galore to fill with beautiful items and books? These images represent those rooms that are dedicated to a home office, how wonderful? I must work harder, I must work harder…!

Isn’t this the dream? A light spacious office with room to swing a cat AND fit a sofa? Oh and two desks!

Office come art gallery. This wall colour is so rich and the perfect backdrop to display artwork. It’s Brinjal by Farrow & Ball.

A lesson in a ‘period’ office complete with wooden floor, original fireplace, wood panelling and decorative wallpaper. I could sit in this room all day.

Shopping List

Pink snail vase - Orla Kiely - Amara

Green flower vase - Orla Kiely - Amara

‘L’ pen pot - Pentreath & Hall

Pink sellotape dispenser - Kate Spade - Amara

Yellow stapler - Kate Spade - Amara

Storage jars - (pink lid) Orla Kiely - Amara

Storage jars - (yellow lid) Orla Kiely - Amara

Paul Smith x Caran D’Ache pen - Paul Smith

Set of 4 mugs - Orla Kiely - Amara

Lilac calculator - Kate Spade - Amara

Spade Street Ring Dish - Coral - Kate Spade - Amara

A5 geometric colour notebook - Paperchase

If you’re considering adapting your home interior to accommodate a work space but don’t know where to start, get in touch via my contact page. I’d love to help you create the home office that you’ve worked so hard for.