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How to Arrange Space When Everyone Works and Studies at Home
Three interior designers share advice on how to carve out space and the best ways to set up a productive work area
These sole traders, who have all worked from home, share their professional and personal tips to help you set up a home office that works for you.
Professional advice from: Giulianna Del Popolo of GDP Interior Design; Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors; Jane Thomson of Jane Thomson Interior Design
Professional advice from: Giulianna Del Popolo of GDP Interior Design; Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors; Jane Thomson of Jane Thomson Interior Design
Before she moved to commercial premises to accommodate her growing business, Del Popolo learned first-hand the challenges posed by combining work and family life in the same space.
“I worked from home for years [in] a small home with two boys, no spare bedrooms, musical instruments and copious amounts of Lego,” she says.
“I worked from home for years [in] a small home with two boys, no spare bedrooms, musical instruments and copious amounts of Lego,” she says.
Now that she’s moving her business back home for a few months of self isolation and potential home schooling, Del Popolo has carefully considered how that’s going to work. Her advice from her previous experience sums it up.
“Before you start rearranging your whole home to set up an office, ask yourself how you’ll be using that space, and what’s doable,” she says. “That will depend on your home, the work you do, who you live with, and the kind of person you are.”
Need to carve out a space to work from home? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for expert tips.
“Before you start rearranging your whole home to set up an office, ask yourself how you’ll be using that space, and what’s doable,” she says. “That will depend on your home, the work you do, who you live with, and the kind of person you are.”
Need to carve out a space to work from home? Find an interior designer near you on Houzz for expert tips.
Consider whether you’ll be sharing your space with kids
If you do, this will be one of the biggest things you’ll have to address. Interior designer and author Frances Cosway says working from home is not just about adults; kids need a space of their own, too.
“My children are going to be at home, and we’re using it as an opportunity to say, ‘Let’s create an environment for you,’” she says.
If you do, this will be one of the biggest things you’ll have to address. Interior designer and author Frances Cosway says working from home is not just about adults; kids need a space of their own, too.
“My children are going to be at home, and we’re using it as an opportunity to say, ‘Let’s create an environment for you,’” she says.
“I don’t want [my kids] doing computer work in their bedroom, but there are a lot of other things they can do,” Cosway says. “There’s the opportunity for them to work in their own private space.”
One of Cosway’s daughters wants to be completely surrounded by plants, and the other by particular colours. “They’re really excited about the prospect that they’re going to be able to put their own stamp on something and they’ll love it,” Cosway says. “Give your kids some involvement, because then they have ownership.”
One of Cosway’s daughters wants to be completely surrounded by plants, and the other by particular colours. “They’re really excited about the prospect that they’re going to be able to put their own stamp on something and they’ll love it,” Cosway says. “Give your kids some involvement, because then they have ownership.”
Of course, much depends on how old your children are. “Really [if your kids are young] they may just want to be near you,” says Del Popolo, whose children are now aged nine and 11. “Obviously this is not always easy, but setting up Duplo, playdough or TV shows in a shared space will make them feel as if they’re part of what you’re doing. Maybe not kinetic sand though. That stuff goes everywhere.”
Set boundaries
If you’re going to succeed at working from home, you have to mark out your territory. “People often think because you work from home that you’re available 24/7. They don’t see it as a workplace,” says interior designer Jane Thomson.
When she isn’t with clients or busy with projects such as the Australian TV renovation show Changing Rooms, Thomson works from her Sydney home. Her number one tip? “You’ve got to create definite boundaries.”
If you’re going to succeed at working from home, you have to mark out your territory. “People often think because you work from home that you’re available 24/7. They don’t see it as a workplace,” says interior designer Jane Thomson.
When she isn’t with clients or busy with projects such as the Australian TV renovation show Changing Rooms, Thomson works from her Sydney home. Her number one tip? “You’ve got to create definite boundaries.”
Those boundaries help you distinguish between work and home life, but they’re also for the other people in your household. A schedule posted on the wall and other kinds of visual cues can help remind people that you’re at work.
“Pre-teens and teens would understand that when you have a sign on your door handle – or a Post-it Note on your forehead – you’re simply not available,” says Del Popolo. “In our house, our nine- and 11-year-old have visual timers for screen time, so that’s already a familiar system.”
“Pre-teens and teens would understand that when you have a sign on your door handle – or a Post-it Note on your forehead – you’re simply not available,” says Del Popolo. “In our house, our nine- and 11-year-old have visual timers for screen time, so that’s already a familiar system.”
Stake a claim
So, what is the best place, given your specific circumstances, to set up camp?
Cosway suggests a dedicated room where your work doesn’t have to be packed away every night or meal time is best if you can manage it. “If you don’t have that, I’d suggest setting up a temporary spot in a bedroom or second living area or something like that.”
The small nooks in hallways that are common in many new homes are not, however, ideal. “Working from home is not like just quickly paying a bill online, which is what those little stations are set up for,” says Cosway. “You need to sit there comfortably for long periods of time and be in a conducive environment for working.”
So, what is the best place, given your specific circumstances, to set up camp?
Cosway suggests a dedicated room where your work doesn’t have to be packed away every night or meal time is best if you can manage it. “If you don’t have that, I’d suggest setting up a temporary spot in a bedroom or second living area or something like that.”
The small nooks in hallways that are common in many new homes are not, however, ideal. “Working from home is not like just quickly paying a bill online, which is what those little stations are set up for,” says Cosway. “You need to sit there comfortably for long periods of time and be in a conducive environment for working.”
But if a shared space is all you have, don’t despair. In these situations, Thomson suggests the best place to set up is in a corner.
“Even if you have a sliding door onto a balcony, usually you have quite a lot of room between that and a coffee table or sofa,” she says.
Discover 6 ways to sneak a desk into an open-plan space.
“Even if you have a sliding door onto a balcony, usually you have quite a lot of room between that and a coffee table or sofa,” she says.
Discover 6 ways to sneak a desk into an open-plan space.
“If you have 1,300 or 1,400mm, or even less [of wall space], you can fit something in that,” says Thomson. Use an old console or small desk and decorate it to create your own little space. “Once you do that, you’re actually saying ‘this is my area’.”
Try to get a good view
The kind of lighting that’s fitted in most homes isn’t going to do you any favours when you’re trying to concentrate for hours at a time.
“Often people are working with a pendant or downlights that create glare,” says Cosway. “If you can, have your desk where you can either look out of the window or have really good natural light.”
The kind of lighting that’s fitted in most homes isn’t going to do you any favours when you’re trying to concentrate for hours at a time.
“Often people are working with a pendant or downlights that create glare,” says Cosway. “If you can, have your desk where you can either look out of the window or have really good natural light.”
Assemble three essentials
It only really takes three pieces of furniture to delineate an office space for most computer- or desk-based jobs: a desk, a chair and a lamp.
While each item has to perform its task well, it doesn’t need to be expensive. But taking into account good ergonomics – as anyone who’s ignored it will tell you – is essential. Cosway says when it comes to office furniture, she’s very much “function over aesthetics”.
It only really takes three pieces of furniture to delineate an office space for most computer- or desk-based jobs: a desk, a chair and a lamp.
While each item has to perform its task well, it doesn’t need to be expensive. But taking into account good ergonomics – as anyone who’s ignored it will tell you – is essential. Cosway says when it comes to office furniture, she’s very much “function over aesthetics”.
Whether it’s your grandmother’s 18th century writing desk, a new Ikea console, or a street find like Cosway’s desk (above), your work surface has to be functional and comfortable.
“Having an adjustable-height desk is great. When you’re getting fatigued, you can always stand up,” says Cosway. “But not everyone has one of those, so an adjustable-height chair is really important. You can take the arms off a proper office chair or change the height of them so you can sit for long periods of time at your desk.”
Don’t want to sit up straight all the time? Cosway says it’s important to have another, more relaxed place to lounge. “When I have a call, I’ll go and sit in [my comfortable chair].”
“Having an adjustable-height desk is great. When you’re getting fatigued, you can always stand up,” says Cosway. “But not everyone has one of those, so an adjustable-height chair is really important. You can take the arms off a proper office chair or change the height of them so you can sit for long periods of time at your desk.”
Don’t want to sit up straight all the time? Cosway says it’s important to have another, more relaxed place to lounge. “When I have a call, I’ll go and sit in [my comfortable chair].”
If you’re working from a laptop, Cosway suggests using a separate, larger screen to avoid eye strain, and positioning it at eye level. “A quick way of doing that is to put a couple of telephone books underneath your computer,” she says. “Most people have it too low and that leads to slouching.”
Task lighting is also essential when it comes to taking care of your eyesight and ensuring your work is always in the spotlight. And your light source can express your own personal style and help you create a look you love.
“I have the sexiest little blonde-timber-and-white architectural lamp from [department store] Kmart,” says Thomson. “It sits on my desk and it cost $12 (£6)! That bad boy is so gorgeous; it looks like a designer piece.”
“I have the sexiest little blonde-timber-and-white architectural lamp from [department store] Kmart,” says Thomson. “It sits on my desk and it cost $12 (£6)! That bad boy is so gorgeous; it looks like a designer piece.”
Create a nice environment
The word ‘office’ can conjure up some pretty dire expectations with regards to décor. “A lot of people work in awful environments, so working at home can actually be an advantage in terms of creativity,” says Thomson. “When you have pretty things or objects that are attractive around you, that’s more conducive to being productive. Environment is everything.
“Everybody connects with different things,” she adds. “It could be somewhere you want to go for your next holiday. It could be your dream house. If you pop an image of that on your wall, it’s something that will drive your work and keep you on track.”
The word ‘office’ can conjure up some pretty dire expectations with regards to décor. “A lot of people work in awful environments, so working at home can actually be an advantage in terms of creativity,” says Thomson. “When you have pretty things or objects that are attractive around you, that’s more conducive to being productive. Environment is everything.
“Everybody connects with different things,” she adds. “It could be somewhere you want to go for your next holiday. It could be your dream house. If you pop an image of that on your wall, it’s something that will drive your work and keep you on track.”
Cosway has her favourite piece of art hanging in her office.
“This is my space – I have artwork in here that my husband doesn’t like. It’s from Amsterdam, where I used to live,” she says.
“You have to claim the space and make it a spot you really want to be in. That’s why people in their office environment will put photos around. They [want to] personalise their space, which is why hot desks are so unpopular, because people can’t make it their own. Surround yourself with photos or plants, maybe a bunch of flowers – just some things that make you feel happy.”
“This is my space – I have artwork in here that my husband doesn’t like. It’s from Amsterdam, where I used to live,” she says.
“You have to claim the space and make it a spot you really want to be in. That’s why people in their office environment will put photos around. They [want to] personalise their space, which is why hot desks are so unpopular, because people can’t make it their own. Surround yourself with photos or plants, maybe a bunch of flowers – just some things that make you feel happy.”
Include plants
Plants are not just nice to look at, they also have a positive impact on your mental state. A recent study in an American Society for Horticultural Science publication showed that even one little plant placed on an employee’s desk had a measurable effect on stress reduction and fatigue.
“Green is such an amazing colour, it’s restorative,” says Thomson. “When we stress, our bodies produce cortisol. That increases adrenaline and you cannot be creative. You can’t be focused.
“So if you’re working long hours, just having that plant provides so much happiness. It’s something that creates a calming ambience. And you have to set up your work area as your sanctuary.”
Thomson says plants also help combat the isolation that can plague remote workers. “They’re a connection to the external world, so you don’t feel separated from everything else,” she says.
Plants are not just nice to look at, they also have a positive impact on your mental state. A recent study in an American Society for Horticultural Science publication showed that even one little plant placed on an employee’s desk had a measurable effect on stress reduction and fatigue.
“Green is such an amazing colour, it’s restorative,” says Thomson. “When we stress, our bodies produce cortisol. That increases adrenaline and you cannot be creative. You can’t be focused.
“So if you’re working long hours, just having that plant provides so much happiness. It’s something that creates a calming ambience. And you have to set up your work area as your sanctuary.”
Thomson says plants also help combat the isolation that can plague remote workers. “They’re a connection to the external world, so you don’t feel separated from everything else,” she says.
Introduce colour
Colour is one of the most satisfying ways to make your mark on a space. So which ones are right for your home office? “I’m a big believer that if you surround yourself with a colour you love, it’s going to work for you,” says Cosway. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be what everyone else is calmed by. I find greens a lot more calming than blues, but that might be different for someone else.”
Colours can evoke certain states of mind. “Blue is often associated with logic, communication and efficiency,” says Thomson. “Red is really physical. It evokes feelings of, ‘I’ve got to get this finished.’ Placing something red on your desk jogs your mind. Green evokes harmony and nature. It rests your eyes and allows you to get creative. And orange – that’s an amazing colour. It provides a similar sense to red, but it gives you a feeling of comfort. It’s a super happy colour, as is yellow, though yellow can be more emotional.”
If possible, Thomson says, stay away from grey, because it can be depressing. “It’s not conducive to creativity. If need be, print out a colour and stick it on your wall, so maybe a plant and something yellow against a grey wall,” she says, offering advice for those who already have this hue in their home.
Colour is one of the most satisfying ways to make your mark on a space. So which ones are right for your home office? “I’m a big believer that if you surround yourself with a colour you love, it’s going to work for you,” says Cosway. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be what everyone else is calmed by. I find greens a lot more calming than blues, but that might be different for someone else.”
Colours can evoke certain states of mind. “Blue is often associated with logic, communication and efficiency,” says Thomson. “Red is really physical. It evokes feelings of, ‘I’ve got to get this finished.’ Placing something red on your desk jogs your mind. Green evokes harmony and nature. It rests your eyes and allows you to get creative. And orange – that’s an amazing colour. It provides a similar sense to red, but it gives you a feeling of comfort. It’s a super happy colour, as is yellow, though yellow can be more emotional.”
If possible, Thomson says, stay away from grey, because it can be depressing. “It’s not conducive to creativity. If need be, print out a colour and stick it on your wall, so maybe a plant and something yellow against a grey wall,” she says, offering advice for those who already have this hue in their home.
Employ a few easy tricks
While there’s a lot that can be done with design, it never hurts to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve when you’re trying to carve out a workspace at home amid the rest of your family:
While there’s a lot that can be done with design, it never hurts to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve when you’re trying to carve out a workspace at home amid the rest of your family:
- Earbuds or headphones can help signal to others that you’re not available – even if there’s no sound coming out of them. “You’re telling people, ‘I am working,’” says Thomson. “It’s about respect for the fact that you’re at work. And don’t then skive off to do the laundry!”
- Break it up a little. “I do some of my calls outside,” says Cosway. “When you’re in the office, you often go for coffee with people and walk around. That’s gone when you work from home. It’s important not to sit at your desk the entire time, no matter how beautiful it is. You need to get up, walk around. And do your team huddles on video, so you can still see people’s emotions and reactions. It’s the next best thing to meeting in person.”
- Flexibility and managing expectations are key. “Give yourself a break,” says Del Popolo. “Multi-tasking is proven to be less efficient than single focus, but these are the cards we have been dealt during this time. Employers and clients will also need to show flexibility, as we are all in it together.”
Tell us…
How have you set up your space and is it working well for you? Share your photos and experiences in the Comments section, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
How have you set up your space and is it working well for you? Share your photos and experiences in the Comments section, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
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Carving out a space to work in from home can be complicated, even for people who devote their lives to making beautiful interiors.
“Many interior designers and artists have baggage, including papers, pens, markers, fabric rolls, wallpaper books, even bricks and tiles,” says Melbourne interior designer Giulianna Del Popolo.