Set up an inspiring workspace

More and more of us are looking to create home office spaces – and there’s a big emphasis on flexibility.

From a desk that can work as part of our living room to laptop stations in our kitchens, from dining tables that are big enough for homeworking and homework, to spare rooms hastily converted into the home office, it’s so important for our creativity and productivity to get that space working hard.

Choose furniture to suit – a console-style desk with a drawer underneath for your laptop won’t intrude on your living room style too much, while a modular system, such as String, can be designed to include a desk combined with plenty of shelf space – great for a family-friendly open-plan space.

Get the flexibility you desire

The first thing to do when decorating anything is to determine who is using the space and what it is being used for.

As obvious as this sounds, do consider if your home office is going to be shared by all the family – children and of course, homework included – or solely used as an adult workstation. This will determine how much storage you need, too.

So, whether you’re converting a bedroom or furnishing an alcove, make sure you have at least one plug socket nearby and have measured the space meticulously.

Let's start with comfort first, you don’t want to work full time from a wooden dining chair if you value a pain-free back.

Find a happy balance with a cushioned, ergonomic chair that can work equally well as either a desk or dining chair. That way you’re not compromising the look of the room or your comfort. Think about lighting next, can you incorporate a small lamp on the island or near the table? Perhaps a battery-operated lamp such as the Flos bellhop if there's no plug socket nearby.

Finally, make your home office feel like a dining room again at the end of the day by stashing your keyboard, laptop and stationery away in a small free-standing cupboard when you’re not using it.

What about storage?

So we’re all encouraged to be paperless, but if you find yourself with lots of documents to keep or books to refer to, then you’re going to need more than just a surface to house a computer. Look for desks that come with built-in drawers or, better still, coordinating drawer towers that slip underneath. A filing cabinet may be the answer for lots of essential paperwork – and you can rest a printer on it.

So, if you’re thinking of investing in a home office why not talk to the experts at Reflective Designs. Call us today on 0115 984 3300 or email info@reflectivewardrobes.co.uk