Home office décor
Now that we know we are in it for the long haul, A-list interior designer Joanna Plant gives her professional tips for creating the perfect home office.In life before lockdown the majority of people in the UK had never worked from home. Fast forward and we have had to embrace the notion like it or not, and whilst the temptation in the early days might have been to hastily create a makeshift workspace, we are now coming to terms with the fact that this might be a rather more long-lasting arrangement.
There is something about being in control of our environment when so much of life right now is out of control which means that most people feel a need to tidy up before they can work properly. Doing so creates a calm, conducive atmosphere and enables us to settle down to work without the chaos of clutter.
So, first things first is to decide where in your house or flat you are going to work. If you have a window with a view, this is a very nice place to put your desk. If not, facing back into the room means you aren’t facing a wall which can feel a little oppressive. It might be that your kitchen table is the only clear space you have, in which case try to be disciplined about clearing away your computer and papers at the end of each day.
Take the opportunity to re-hang your pictures and try different pieces out in different rooms so that you have a new view from your desk. It refreshes the look of the house and gives an opportunity to see things with new eyes. Order a cork pinboard on-line and get busy creating a personal mood board of postcards, photos and snippets of things that inspire.
When choosing furniture, a small dining table makes a very good desk. Simple trestle tables from either Habitat or Ikea do a good job, together with a comfy chair and a lamp. Ikea also make a rather useful room divider bookshelf which can effectively separate your workspace from the rest of the room. Vinterior is a great resource for vintage desks and chairs.
Perk yourself up with lovely stationeryChoosing Keeping and Pentreath & Hall have the nicest pen pots, desk tidies and notebooks. Muji is fantastic for storage boxes in which to keep papers organised, and a small bunch of flowers on your desk is life enhancing and never fails to cheer. Light a candle in an uplifting scent – Diptique Rose Geranium is particular fresh and invigorating.
Feeling productive and motivated can be a challenge so make sure to give yourself a breather by taking regular breaks from your desk, even if it is just walking around your flat or looking out of a different window whilst on the phone. Exercise during the time that you would have been on your daily commute, listen to the radio or podcasts to avoid loneliness, eat a good lunch and always get properly dressed for the day.
Joanna recommends:
www.habitat.co.uk
www.ikea.com
www.vinterior.co
www.choosingkeeping.com
www.pentreath-hall.com
www.muji.eu