Home Office Buying Guide
To assist you in creating the perfect home office space, we have put together a helpful guide to help you choose the right storage space, desks, chairs and other furniture.
evaluate your needs
Firstly, you will need to make a list of what equipment you’ll need, how much storage will be required and also who will use it? Is it just for you to use or does the space need to function for other people and situations such as older children using it as a study desk or does it need to act as a “hot desk” for others to use occasionally?location of your workspace
We’ve personally found that working from home means the boundaries between home/office have been blurred. It is vital to find a space to isolate where you can mentally switch off from home mode to work mode. When choosing your space, natural light is key; having a high level of natural light can positively impact your mental well-being. If possible, can you find a room or space near a window so you can work in the natural light and even better if there is a view to a garden or across to the city? In smaller homes and apartments you may have a smaller space to work, and your space may need to be multipurpose. If you need to fit a workstation into a living space, it’s a good idea to try and zone your area and make sure that the style of furniture works within the rest of your living space so it feels coherent and fits in seamlessly.
style
A home office needs to feel comfy, functional, relaxing, and stimulating. The colour that you choose can affect your mood and energy levels. Bright colours are seen to make more dynamic, motivating spaces which allow for creativity, however, not one colour suits all, and you need to look at what colour makes you feel. Once you have your colour palette, add art and shelves to make your space more personal. Another idea if you’re using a white background is to use colour for prints, noticeboards and visual mood boards that help stimulate you while you work. To read more about how we can live and feel happier through the choices we make about our home and environment design, read our journal article the science of well being in your home.
storage
Choosing the right storage is a game-changer. Hiding unsightly equipment and the messy bits leaves an uncluttered space that feels more ready to do your best work in. An untidy, cluttered space can be distracting and having the proper storage helps you know exactly where your stuff is when needed. Drawers and pots that are in close proximity for all the things you might need to grab when on a call - post it, extra pens, calculator - should be easy to reach.
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usm
A few go-to brands that have a cult following for function as well as looking beautiful, are: USM - the cult, 60s-style favourite Take advantage of the endless possibilities that USM modular storage can give you.With infinite possibilities and a cult following of young creatives everywhere, USM’s 1960s modular shelving system flies off our shelves. Whatever stage of life you’re at, this storage system can be adapted with you, adding a massive dose of creativity and functionality into every space.
muuto stacked
Muuto - from the Finnish “new perspective ”Muuto stacked is both versatile and functional. The Stacked storage system can be arranged and rearranged for the exact configuration that you’d like, whether it be shelving setups, sideboards,
string shelving
String - iconic and timeless shelving String shelving is perfect for any size office, it's so adaptable and straightforward. The flexibility and timeless, minimalist design of String shelving is why it continues to receive such high praise even after 60 years in production. In addition to shelves, the String range includes various components such as a desk, foldaway table, cabinets, drawers, bowl shelf, and magazine shelf. We've put together a guide to String shelving for further guidance.
furniture
The right chair
A comfortable office chair is a must-have; it needs to be ergonomically correct for you. If you choose wisely, it can be both relaxing and productive. Options include the traditional office chair like the Vitra soft pad chair or a simple, clean design like the Tom Dixon fat work chair. Consider whether you’d like armrests, a low or high back, do you need it to swivel or have wheels?
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The right desk
The perfect desk is subjective and personal to you and it can really show off your character as well as look like a beautiful piece of furniture. There are many choices: modern, handmade, mid-century style, etc. Your desk could stand out as a striking focal point in the room or blend seamlessly into the interior as an integrated workspace. If you're short on space, go for a desk and chair with a smaller profile, nook compact desks with integrated storage and cable management work well in snug spaces. By nature, people are not built to sit still, working better if they can move their posture, there are now options to have an adjustable desk so that it can move in height so you can stand and work or be seated. An example of this is String works, which is an adjustable desk.
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our desk favourites
light
To create the best conditions in your home office, getting the light right is essential. Working from home has the benefit of escaping harshly lit office spaces. Natural light is the goal in your home office, but there are plenty of lighting options to create an inspiring environment. Bright white light is better for working and yellow and amber light make a space feel more relaxing. Investing in a good blind/s is a good idea to make sure there isn’t too much sunlight.
Heres a few lights we love to illuminate your desk, click to see our full range of table lights.
Task lights - Artemide Tolomeo table light
Portable - Tom Dixon Bell table lamp
